While providing care to a group of patients, which patient should the nurse see first?
- A. A patient after knee surgery who needs range of motion exercises
- B. A patient on bed rest who has renal calculi and needs to go to the bathroom
- C. A bedridden patient who has a reddened area on the buttocks who needs to be turned
- D. A patient with a hip replacement on prolonged bed rest reporting chest pain and dyspnea
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should see the patient with a hip replacement experiencing chest pain and dyspnea first because these symptoms could indicate a pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate attention. The other patients also need care, but urgent assessment and intervention are crucial in the case of potential pulmonary embolism to prevent serious complications or death.
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Which intervention is most effective in managing a patient with chronic pain?
- A. Administer opioid medications as prescribed.
- B. Teach the patient relaxation techniques.
- C. Encourage the patient to perform range of motion exercises.
- D. Recommend complete bed rest to minimize pain.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most effective intervention in managing a patient with chronic pain is teaching the patient relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques can help reduce stress, decrease muscle tension, and improve pain management in patients with chronic pain. Administering opioids as prescribed may have risks of dependence and side effects, making it less favorable as a first-line intervention. Encouraging range of motion exercises can be beneficial, but relaxation techniques directly target stress reduction, a common exacerbating factor in chronic pain. Recommending complete bed rest is generally discouraged in chronic pain management as it can lead to deconditioning and worsen pain over time.
A nurse manager notices a discrepancy in a nurse's narcotics record. What is the appropriate action?
- A. Ask the nurse for clarification about the record.
- B. Report the discrepancy to the pharmacy.
- C. Report the issue to the nurse manager immediately.
- D. Ignore the discrepancy as a clerical error.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The appropriate action when a nurse manager notices a discrepancy in a nurse's narcotics record is to report the discrepancy to the pharmacy. Reporting such discrepancies is crucial to ensure accountability and patient safety. Choice A is incorrect because the nurse manager should not confront the nurse directly without proper investigation. Choice C is incorrect because reporting to the nurse manager may not address the issue effectively. Choice D is incorrect because ignoring the discrepancy can compromise patient safety and violates protocols.
Which nursing action will best promote patient safety when administering medications?
- A. Check the patient's wristband before administering medications.
- B. Confirm the patient's allergies prior to administration.
- C. Document the medications immediately after administration.
- D. Prepare medications at the medication cart to minimize distractions.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Confirming the patient's allergies before administering medications is crucial for patient safety as it helps prevent adverse reactions. Checking the patient's wristband is important for identification but may not directly impact medication safety. Documenting medications after administration is necessary but does not primarily promote safety during administration. Preparing medications at the medication cart, rather than the nurse's station, is preferred to ensure accuracy and proper medication handling, but it is not directly related to confirming allergies for safety.
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.
The nurse is caring for a group of medical-surgical patients. A fire has been reported in an adjacent wing of the hospital. What should the nurse do to ensure the patients' safety?
- A. Wait until the fire department arrives before taking action.
- B. Close all doors.
- C. Identify evacuation routes.
- D. Move bedridden patients in their beds.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During a fire emergency, it is crucial to close all doors to contain smoke and fire, helping to protect the patients. This action can prevent the spread of fire and smoke to the area where patients are located. Identifying evacuation routes is also important for a timely and orderly evacuation if necessary. Waiting for the fire department to arrive before taking action (Choice A) can waste valuable time and put patients at risk. Moving bedridden patients in their beds (Choice D) can be dangerous during a fire and should be avoided as it can expose patients and staff to more risks.
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