Nokea
The patient has been in bed for several days and needs to be ambulated. What action should the nurse take first?
- A. Dangle the patient at the bedside.
- B. Encourage isometric exercises.
- C. Suggest a high-calcium diet.
- D. Maintain a narrow base of support.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Dangle the patient at the bedside.' When a patient has been in bed for an extended period and needs to be ambulated, it is essential to dangle the patient at the bedside first. Dangling involves helping the patient sit on the edge of the bed with their legs over the side before standing up. This action helps prevent orthostatic hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure when moving from lying down to standing up, which can lead to dizziness or fainting. Encouraging isometric exercises (choice B) or suggesting a high-calcium diet (choice C) are not the first actions to take before ambulating a patient. Maintaining a narrow base of support (choice D) is related to assisting with ambulation but is not the initial step that should be taken.
You may also like to solve these questions
A client with a DNR order has requested resuscitation during a visit from the family. What is the nurse's best course of action?
- A. Follow the family's request and perform CPR.
- B. Explain to the family that the DNR must be honored.
- C. Call the healthcare provider to cancel the DNR order.
- D. Delay resuscitation until further clarification can be made.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct course of action for the nurse is to explain to the family that the DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order must be honored. It is essential for the nurse to uphold the client's wishes as documented in the DNR order. Performing CPR against the client's expressed wishes in the DNR order would violate ethical and legal standards. Calling the healthcare provider to cancel the DNR order without the client's consent is inappropriate and goes against the client's autonomy. Delaying resuscitation can be detrimental in an emergency situation and may not align with the client's wishes as outlined in the DNR order.
The nurse is caring for a patient in the hospital. The nurse observes the nursing assistive personnel (NAP) turning off the handle faucet with bare hands. Which professional practice principle supports the need for follow-up with the NAP?
- A. The nurse is responsible for providing a safe environment for the patient.
- B. This step is crucial in the process of handwashing.
- C. Different scopes of practice allow for procedure modifications.
- D. Leaving the water running wastes resources and money.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The nurse is responsible for providing a safe environment for the patient. In this situation, the nurse should follow up with the nursing assistive personnel (NAP) who turned off the handle faucet with bare hands to ensure infection control practices are maintained. This action is crucial to prevent the spread of infections in the hospital setting. Choice B is incorrect because the question is not specifically about handwashing procedures but about infection control practices. Choice C is incorrect as it does not address the potential risk of infection transmission. Choice D is incorrect as it is unrelated to the main concern of infection control in this scenario.
A patient with diabetes is admitted with high blood sugar levels. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
- A. Administer insulin as prescribed.
- B. Encourage the patient to exercise regularly.
- C. Encourage the patient to drink water.
- D. Provide the patient with a low-sugar diet.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Administering insulin is the priority intervention for a patient admitted with high blood sugar levels because it helps lower the blood sugar levels effectively and rapidly. Insulin is a crucial medication for managing hyperglycemia in diabetes. Encouraging exercise (choice B) can be beneficial in the long term for managing blood sugar levels but is not the most immediate priority. While staying hydrated (choice C) is important, it is not the priority intervention when dealing with high blood sugar levels. Providing a low-sugar diet (choice D) is essential for long-term diabetes management but is not the immediate action needed to address high blood sugar levels in an admitted patient.
Which nursing action will best promote patient safety when administering medications?
- A. Check the patient's wristband before administering medications.
- B. Confirm the patient's allergies prior to administration.
- C. Document the medications immediately after administration.
- D. Prepare medications at the medication cart to minimize distractions.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Confirming the patient's allergies before administering medications is crucial for patient safety as it helps prevent adverse reactions. Checking the patient's wristband is important for identification but may not directly impact medication safety. Documenting medications after administration is necessary but does not primarily promote safety during administration. Preparing medications at the medication cart, rather than the nurse's station, is preferred to ensure accuracy and proper medication handling, but it is not directly related to confirming allergies for safety.
A patient with heart failure has gained 5 pounds in the last 3 days. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
- A. Restrict the patient's fluid intake.
- B. Monitor the patient's daily weight.
- C. Administer diuretics as prescribed.
- D. Increase the patient's salt intake to promote fluid balance.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor the patient's daily weight. In heart failure, sudden weight gain indicates fluid retention, which can worsen the condition. Monitoring daily weight helps in early detection of fluid accumulation, allowing timely intervention. Restricting fluid intake (choice A) may be necessary but is not the priority at this point. Administering diuretics (choice C) should be done based on healthcare provider orders, not the nurse's independent decision. Increasing salt intake (choice D) is contraindicated in heart failure as it can exacerbate fluid retention.