What is the most important nursing intervention for a patient with diarrhea?
- A. Encourage the patient to increase fluid intake.
- B. Monitor the patient's skin integrity.
- C. Check the patient's electrolyte levels.
- D. Educate the patient about infection control measures.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor the patient's skin integrity. This is crucial because diarrhea can lead to skin breakdown due to frequent bowel movements and increased moisture in the perineal area. By monitoring skin integrity, nurses can prevent skin breakdown, infection, and other associated issues. Encouraging fluid intake (Choice A) is important but not the most critical intervention. Checking electrolyte levels (Choice C) is essential but may not be the top priority at the onset. Educating the patient about infection control (Choice D) is important but secondary to preventing skin breakdown in a patient with diarrhea.
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The nurse is providing information regarding safety and accidental poisoning to a grandparent who will be taking custody of a 1-year-old grandchild. Which comment by the grandparent will cause the nurse to intervene?
- A. I should call 911 if my grandchild loses consciousness.
- B. Never induce vomiting if my grandchild drinks bleach.
- C. If my grandchild eats a plant, I should provide syrup of ipecac.
- D. The number for poison control is 800-222-1222.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Administering syrup of ipecac is no longer recommended in cases of poisoning. This is because it can lead to complications and is not considered safe. The grandparent should be informed that syrup of ipecac should not be given to a child who has ingested a toxic substance. Choices A, B, and D provide accurate information regarding actions to take in case of poisoning, such as calling 911 if the child loses consciousness, not inducing vomiting if the child drinks bleach, and having the poison control number readily available.
The healthcare provider is assessing an immobile patient for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). What should the healthcare provider do?
- A. Lightly rub the lower leg to check for redness and tenderness.
- B. Apply elastic stockings every 4 hours.
- C. Measure the calf circumference of both legs.
- D. Flex the foot while assessing for patient discomfort.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Measuring the calf circumference of both legs is crucial when assessing for DVT in an immobile patient. A significant increase in the circumference of one calf compared to the other suggests the presence of a deep vein thrombosis. Option A is incorrect because rubbing the lower leg may dislodge a clot if present. Option B is incorrect as elastic stockings should not be removed frequently as this can increase the risk of clot formation. Option D is incorrect as dorsiflexing the foot can lead to pain and should not be done to assess for DVT.
Which action by the nurse will help prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in a patient on mechanical ventilation?
- A. Provide oral care every 4 hours.
- B. Reposition the patient every 2 hours.
- C. Suction the patient as needed.
- D. Administer antibiotics as prescribed.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Providing oral care every 4 hours helps prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia by reducing the buildup of bacteria in the mouth that can be aspirated into the lungs. Repositioning the patient every 2 hours is important for preventing pressure ulcers but is not directly related to preventing VAP. Suctioning the patient as needed is essential for maintaining airway patency but does not specifically prevent VAP. Administering antibiotics as prescribed is a treatment for infections but does not prevent VAP.
A nurse enters a client's room to administer a prescribed medication, and the client asks about the medication. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
- A. Give detailed information about the medication, including its potential side effects.
- B. Refer the client to the healthcare provider for more information.
- C. Give a brief explanation and administer the medication.
- D. Ask another nurse to explain the medication and proceed.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most appropriate response for the nurse when a client asks about a medication is to refer the client to the healthcare provider for more information. This ensures that the client receives accurate and detailed information from the appropriate source. Providing detailed information or a brief explanation as choices A and C suggest may not be within the nurse's scope of practice and could potentially lead to misinformation or confusion. Asking another nurse to explain the medication, as in choice D, may not guarantee accurate information, so it is best to involve the healthcare provider directly.
A client with renal calculi is admitted. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Monitor urinary output every shift.
- B. Administer pain medication as ordered.
- C. Strain all urine for stones.
- D. Increase fluid intake to flush the urinary tract.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to strain all urine for stones. This is the priority nursing intervention for a client with renal calculi as it helps in identifying and preventing stones from passing unnoticed. Monitoring urinary output, administering pain medication, and increasing fluid intake are important aspects of care for this client, but the priority is to ensure that any passed stones are collected and analyzed to guide further treatment.