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When assessing a client with terminal cancer receiving a continuous intravenous infusion of morphine sulfate, what should the nurse check first?
- A. Check for respiratory depression.
- B. Assess pain control.
- C. Check the infusion site for complications.
- D. Monitor the client's blood pressure.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to check for respiratory depression first when assessing a client receiving a continuous intravenous infusion of morphine sulfate. Respiratory depression is the most common life-threatening side effect associated with morphine administration. Monitoring respiratory status is crucial as it can quickly deteriorate, leading to serious complications or even respiratory arrest. Assessing pain control (choice B) is important but ensuring adequate ventilation takes precedence. Checking the infusion site for complications (choice C) and monitoring blood pressure (choice D) are also essential aspects of care but are secondary to evaluating respiratory status when administering morphine.
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A nurse is preparing a client for surgery. The client refuses to remove a religious medal. What is the nurse's best response?
- A. Ask the family to remove the medal
- B. Place the medal in a safe place for the client
- C. Allow the client to keep the medal during surgery
- D. Inform the client that the medal must be removed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to allow the client to keep the medal during surgery. Clients may retain religious medals or jewelry during surgery if it does not interfere with the procedure. Asking the family to remove the medal (Choice A) may not be respecting the client's wishes. Placing the medal in a safe place for the client (Choice B) may cause distress to the client who wants to keep it. Informing the client that the medal must be removed (Choice D) disregards the client's beliefs and preferences.
The patient experienced a surgical procedure, and Betadine was utilized as the surgical prep. Two days postoperatively, the nurse's assessment indicates that the incision is red and has a small amount of purulent drainage. The patient reports tenderness at the incision site. The patient's temperature is 100.5°F, and the WBC is 10,500/mm³. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Reevaluate the temperature and white blood cell count in 4 hours.
- B. Check which solution was used for skin preparation in surgery.
- C. Plan to change the surgical dressing during the shift.
- D. Utilize SBAR to notify the primary health care provider.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient is showing signs of a possible surgical site infection, including redness, purulent drainage, tenderness, elevated temperature, and increased white blood cell count. These symptoms suggest the need for immediate action to address a potential complication. Utilizing SBAR to notify the primary health care provider is crucial as it allows for effective communication of the patient's condition and the need for further assessment and intervention. Reevaluating the temperature and white blood cell count later, checking the solution used for skin preparation, or planning to change the dressing do not address the urgent need for intervention and communication with the healthcare provider.
The nurse is caring for a patient with an incision. Which actions will best indicate an understanding of medical and surgical asepsis for a sterile dressing change?
- A. Donning sterile gown and gloves to remove the wound dressing
- B. Utilizing clean gloves to remove the dressing and clean supplies for the new dressing
- C. Utilizing clean gloves to remove the dressing and sterile supplies for the new dressing
- D. Donning clean goggles, gown, and gloves to dress the wound
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Choice C is the correct answer. When performing a sterile dressing change, it is essential to use clean gloves to remove soiled dressings and sterile gloves and supplies for applying the new dressing. This helps maintain aseptic technique and reduce the risk of introducing pathogens to the wound. Choices A, B, and D involve incorrect use of sterile and clean supplies, which can compromise the sterility of the procedure and increase the risk of infection.
When caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube, what is the most appropriate intervention to prevent aspiration?
- A. Flush the NG tube with water before each feeding.
- B. Check the placement of the NG tube before each feeding.
- C. Elevate the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees.
- D. Provide the patient with oral care every 4 hours.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees is the most appropriate intervention to prevent aspiration in a patient with an NG tube. This position helps reduce the risk of regurgitation and aspiration by promoting the proper flow of contents through the gastrointestinal tract and minimizing the chances of stomach contents entering the airway. Flushing the NG tube with water before each feeding may not directly prevent aspiration. Checking the placement of the NG tube is important but does not specifically address the prevention of aspiration. Providing oral care every 4 hours is essential for maintaining oral hygiene but is not directly related to preventing aspiration in a patient with an NG tube.
Which action by the nurse represents the ethical principle of beneficence?
- A. Ensuring all clients are treated fairly
- B. Preventing harm by providing accurate information
- C. Allowing the client to refuse treatment
- D. Ensuring the client's family agrees with the treatment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing good or acting in the best interest of the client. Preventing harm by providing accurate information and necessary care aligns with the principle of beneficence, as it focuses on promoting the well-being and safety of the client. Choices A, C, and D do not directly reflect the concept of beneficence. Ensuring all clients are treated fairly relates more to justice, allowing the client to refuse treatment pertains to autonomy, and ensuring the client's family agrees with the treatment involves collaboration and communication but not specifically beneficence.