When a nurse is assigned to float to another unit and feels unprepared, what is the most appropriate course of action?
- A. Refusing to take the assignment.
- B. Requesting help and clarification from the charge nurse.
- C. Completing the assignment and documenting the concerns later.
- D. Filing a formal complaint with hospital administration.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a nurse is assigned to float to another unit and feels unprepared, the most appropriate course of action is to request help and clarification from the charge nurse. This allows the nurse to address any concerns, seek guidance, and ensure safe patient care. Refusing the assignment (Choice A) is not a constructive approach as it may leave the unit short-staffed and compromise patient safety. Completing the assignment and documenting concerns later (Choice C) is not recommended as it delays addressing the issues at hand. Filing a formal complaint with hospital administration (Choice D) should be considered only after attempting to resolve the issue at the unit level first.
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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.
A client who is 97 years old has successfully been treated for heart failure and is found not breathing. There is no DNR order in place. What should the nurse do?
- A. Notify the family and await further instructions.
- B. Initiate CPR and call for emergency assistance.
- C. Allow the family to make decisions about care.
- D. Follow the family's wishes and perform no interventions.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this scenario, with no DNR order in place and the client not breathing, the nurse should initiate CPR and call for emergency assistance. Option A is incorrect as immediate action is required in the absence of breathing. Option C is incorrect as the nurse should act promptly to provide life-saving measures. Option D is incorrect because the nurse's primary duty is to provide care in the absence of a directive preventing intervention.
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.
When caring for a patient with a colostomy, which nursing action is most important?
- A. Monitor the colostomy for signs of infection.
- B. Empty the colostomy bag when it is half full.
- C. Encourage the patient to eat smaller, more frequent meals.
- D. Apply a skin barrier to prevent irritation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Emptying the colostomy bag when it is half full is the most important nursing action when caring for a patient with a colostomy. This practice helps prevent leakage, reduces the risk of skin irritation, and promotes patient comfort. Monitoring for signs of infection (Choice A) is essential but not as crucial as maintaining proper colostomy care. Encouraging the patient to eat smaller, more frequent meals (Choice C) can be beneficial for colostomy patients but is not as critical as ensuring timely emptying of the colostomy bag. Applying a skin barrier to prevent irritation (Choice D) is important, but ensuring timely emptying of the colostomy bag takes precedence in preventing complications associated with a colostomy.
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.