What is the most important nursing intervention when caring for a patient with a wound?
- A. Apply an occlusive dressing over the wound.
- B. Clean the wound with normal saline.
- C. Administer antibiotics as prescribed.
- D. Reassess the wound every 4 hours for changes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most important nursing intervention when caring for a patient with a wound is to clean the wound with normal saline. This is crucial for preventing infection and promoting healing. Applying an occlusive dressing (Choice A) can be important but should come after cleaning the wound. Administering antibiotics (Choice C) is not the first-line intervention for all wounds and should be based on the healthcare provider's prescription. Reassessing the wound (Choice D) is essential but not the most important initial intervention.
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A patient with a urinary tract infection (UTI) requires treatment. What is the most appropriate intervention?
- A. Encourage the patient to increase fluid intake.
- B. Administer antibiotics as prescribed.
- C. Recommend the patient take over-the-counter pain relievers.
- D. Encourage the patient to limit physical activity.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to administer antibiotics as prescribed. Antibiotics are the primary treatment for urinary tract infections as they help eliminate the bacteria causing the infection. Encouraging the patient to increase fluid intake (Choice A) is a supportive measure to help flush out the bacteria but doesn't directly treat the infection. Over-the-counter pain relievers (Choice C) may help with discomfort but do not address the underlying infection. Limiting physical activity (Choice D) may be recommended for some conditions but is not the primary intervention for treating a UTI.
In a disaster where a building has collapsed, which victim should a nurse attend to first?
- A. A victim who has died of multiple serious injuries
- B. A victim with a partial amputation of a leg who is bleeding profusely
- C. An alert victim who has numerous bruises on the arms and legs
- D. A hysterical victim who has sustained a head injury
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a disaster situation like a building collapse, the nurse should attend to the victim with a partial amputation of a leg who is bleeding profusely first. This victim is at immediate risk of severe blood loss, which can be life-threatening. It is crucial to address life-threatening injuries like severe bleeding before attending to other less urgent cases. The victim with the amputation requires immediate intervention to control bleeding and stabilize their condition. Victims who are already deceased or have less urgent injuries can be attended to after addressing the critical cases.
A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. What is the nurse's responsibility regarding stoma care?
- A. Educate the client on how to care for the stoma independently.
- B. Contact the stoma nurse to assist the client with care.
- C. Delegate the care of the stoma to a nursing assistant.
- D. Wait until the next shift to address the stoma care.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to contact the stoma nurse to assist the client with care. Stoma nurses are specially trained to provide guidance on stoma care, especially for clients with new ostomies. Instructing the client to care for the stoma independently (Choice A) may not be appropriate initially as they may need professional guidance. Delegating the care of the stoma to a nursing assistant (Choice C) is not recommended as specialized care is required. Waiting until the next shift (Choice D) is not ideal as stoma care should not be delayed.
Which finding in a postoperative patient requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
- A. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute.
- B. Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg.
- C. Crackles heard in the lung bases.
- D. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In a postoperative patient, an oxygen saturation level of 88% on room air indicates a significant drop below the normal range, suggesting potential respiratory distress. This finding requires immediate intervention by the nurse to ensure the patient receives adequate oxygenation. A heart rate of 88 beats per minute is within the normal range, making it a less concerning finding. A blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg falls within the normal range for blood pressure and does not require immediate intervention. Crackles heard in the lung bases may indicate fluid accumulation but may not always require immediate intervention unless accompanied by other concerning signs or symptoms.
A patient has a DNR (do-not-resuscitate) order but their family insists on resuscitation if necessary. What should the nurse do?
- A. Follow the family's wishes to resuscitate.
- B. Explain that the nurse must follow the DNR order.
- C. Ask the provider for clarification on the DNR.
- D. Call the ethics committee to discuss the situation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The nurse must follow the legal DNR order, even if the family insists on resuscitation. Respecting the patient's wishes is crucial in providing ethical care. Choice A is incorrect because the nurse should prioritize the patient's documented wishes over the family's requests. Choice C may cause unnecessary delays in care as the DNR order is a legal document. Choice D is not the initial action to take in this situation; the nurse should first address the conflict between the family's wishes and the patient's DNR order.