Upon completing the admission documents, the nurse learns that the 87-year-old client does not have an advance directive. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Record the lack of advance directive on the chart
- B. Give information about advance directives
- C. Assume that the client wishes a full code
- D. Refer this issue to the unit secretary
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to give information about advance directives to the client. By providing this information, the nurse empowers the client to make an informed decision about their care preferences. Choice A is incorrect because simply recording the lack of advance directive does not address the client's need for information. Choice C is incorrect because assuming the client wishes a full code without discussing it with them is not appropriate and may not align with the client's wishes. Choice D is incorrect as the nurse should directly address the issue with the client rather than involving another staff member.
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During an assessment, a healthcare professional observes significant tenting of the skin over an older adult client's forearm. What factor should the healthcare professional primarily consider as a cause for this finding?
- A. Thin, parchment-like skin
- B. Loss of adipose tissue
- C. Dehydration
- D. Diminished skin elasticity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dehydration is the primary factor to consider in this scenario. Dehydration leads to decreased skin turgor and tenting, where the skin does not return to its normal position when pinched. While thin, parchment-like skin, loss of adipose tissue, and diminished skin elasticity can contribute to skin changes, they are not the primary cause of the significant tenting observed.
A client with acute hemorrhagic anemia is to receive four units of packed RBCs (red blood cells) as rapidly as possible. Which intervention is most important for the LPN/LVN to implement?
- A. Obtain the pre-transfusion hemoglobin level.
- B. Prime the tubing and set up the blood pump.
- C. Monitor vital signs every 15 minutes for the first hour.
- D. Ensure the accuracy of the blood type match.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ensuring the accuracy of the blood type match is crucial to prevent transfusion reactions. The LPN/LVN must prioritize this step to avoid adverse outcomes. Obtaining the pre-transfusion hemoglobin level (Option A) is important but not as critical as ensuring blood type compatibility. Priming the tubing and setting up the blood pump (Option B) and monitoring vital signs every 15 minutes (Option C) are essential steps in the transfusion process, but the primary concern should be preventing transfusion reactions by verifying blood type compatibility.
During a patient assessment, which principle should be a priority?
- A. Foot care is always important.
- B. Daily bathing is always important.
- C. Hygiene needs are always important.
- D. Critical thinking is always important.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: During a patient assessment, critical thinking is a priority because a patient's condition can change rapidly, necessitating continuous critical thinking and adaptation of nursing interventions. While foot care, daily bathing, and hygiene needs are important components of patient care, they may not always take precedence over critical thinking, which guides the nurse in making timely and appropriate decisions based on the patient's current condition and needs. Therefore, critical thinking stands out as the most crucial principle during patient assessments.
A client who has an indwelling catheter reports a need to urinate. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Check the catheter to see whether it is patent.
- B. Reassure the client that it is not possible for them to urinate.
- C. Re-catheterize the bladder with a larger-gauge catheter.
- D. Collect a urine specimen for analysis.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a client with an indwelling catheter reports a need to urinate, the nurse's initial action should be to check the catheter for patency. This is crucial to ensure that the catheter is not blocked, twisted, or kinked, which could lead to urinary retention. Reassuring the client without assessing the catheter could delay necessary interventions. Re-catheterizing the bladder with a larger-gauge catheter should not be the first step unless catheter patency is confirmed as an issue. Collecting a urine specimen for analysis is important but not the immediate priority when the client reports a need to urinate.
A healthcare professional is instructing an AP about caring for a client who has a low platelet count. Which of the following instructions is the priority for measuring vital signs for this client?
- A. Avoid measuring the client's temperature rectally.
- B. Count the client's radial pulse for 30 seconds and multiply it by 2.
- C. Count the client's respirations discreetly.
- D. Allow the client to rest for 5 minutes before measuring their BP.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to avoid measuring the client's temperature rectally. Rectal temperatures can cause bleeding in clients with low platelet counts. It is crucial to avoid invasive methods that could increase the risk of bleeding or discomfort. Choice B, counting the radial pulse, is not directly related to the risk of bleeding in a client with low platelet count. Choice C, counting respirations discreetly, is important for accuracy but is not the priority when considering the risk of bleeding. Choice D, letting the client rest before measuring blood pressure, is beneficial but is not the priority in preventing potential harm due to low platelet counts.