Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A home health nurse is assessing the home environment of an older adult client who has osteoporosis. For which of the following findings should the nurse intervene?
A. The hot water heater is set to 47° C (117° F).
This temperature is within a safe range to prevent burns while ensuring adequate hot water for hygiene.
B. Grab bars are installed in the shower.
Grab bars provide support and help prevent falls in older adults, especially those with osteoporosis who are at higher risk for fractures.
C. There is an area rug covering a tile floor.
Area rugs are a significant tripping hazard, especially for older adults with osteoporosis, as a fall could lead to fractures. The nurse should intervene to recommend removing or securing the rug to reduce the risk of falls.
D. Prescriptions are stored in a medication organizer.
A medication organizer helps older adults manage their medications effectively and reduces the risk of missed or incorrect doses.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - RN FUNDAMENTALS 2023 PROCTORED EXAM. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A. The hot water heater is set to 47° C (117° F). This temperature is within a safe range to prevent burns while ensuring adequate hot water for hygiene.
B. Grab bars are installed in the shower. Grab bars provide support and help prevent falls in older adults, especially those with osteoporosis who are at higher risk for fractures.
C. There is an area rug covering a tile floor. Area rugs are a significant tripping hazard, especially for older adults with osteoporosis, as a fall could lead to fractures. The nurse should intervene to recommend removing or securing the rug to reduce the risk of falls.
D. Prescriptions are stored in a medication organizer. A medication organizer helps older adults manage their medications effectively and reduces the risk of missed or incorrect doses.
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a client who has severe rheumatoid arthritis in her hands and is unable to feed herself. For which of the following health care team members should the nurse request a referral from the provider?
A. Social worker
Social worker:While social workers play a crucial role in addressing various aspects of a patient's well-being, such as psychosocial needs and support systems, they may not be the primary healthcare team member to address the specific issue of a client with severe rheumatoid arthritis being unable to feed herself.
B. Physician assistant
Physician assistant:Physician assistants are medical professionals who work under the supervision of a physician. While they contribute to the overall care of the patient, they may not be the primary specialist for addressing the functional limitations and specific needs associated with severe rheumatoid arthritis.
C. Physical therapist
Physical therapist:Physical therapists primarily focus on physical rehabilitation, movement, and mobility. While they may be involved in the overall care plan for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, the specific issue of hand function and activities of daily living, such as feeding, is more directly addressed by occupational therapists.
D. Occupational therapist
Occupational therapist:The correct choice. Occupational therapists specialize in helping individuals regain or improve their ability to perform daily activities, such as feeding, dressing, and grooming. In the case of severe rheumatoid arthritis affecting the hands, an occupational therapist can work with the client to develop strategies, adaptive equipment, and exercises to enhance hand function and promote independence in activities of daily living.
Full Explanation
A. Social worker:
While social workers play a crucial role in addressing various aspects of a patient's well-being, such as psychosocial needs and support systems, they may not be the primary healthcare team member to address the specific issue of a client with severe rheumatoid arthritis being unable to feed herself.
B. Physician assistant:
Physician assistants are medical professionals who work under the supervision of a physician. While they contribute to the overall care of the patient, they may not be the primary specialist for addressing the functional limitations and specific needs associated with severe rheumatoid arthritis.
C. Physical therapist:
Physical therapists primarily focus on physical rehabilitation, movement, and mobility. While they may be involved in the overall care plan for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, the specific issue of hand function and activities of daily living, such as feeding, is more directly addressed by occupational therapists.
D. Occupational therapist:
The correct choice. Occupational therapists specialize in helping individuals regain or improve their ability to perform daily activities, such as feeding, dressing, and grooming. In the case of severe rheumatoid arthritis affecting the hands, an occupational therapist can work with the client to develop strategies, adaptive equipment, and exercises to enhance hand function and promote independence in activities of daily living.
A nurse is collaborating with a risk management team about potential legal issues involving client care. The nurse should identify that which of the following situations is an example of negligence?
A. An assistive personnel prevents a client from leaving the facility.
An assistive personnel prevents a client from leaving the facility:This situation may raise ethical concerns related to patient autonomy and freedom of movement. However, it is not a clear example of negligence. Negligence is more directly related to the provision of care and the failure to meet the standard of care.
B. An assistive personnel discusses client care in the facility cafeteria with visitors present.
An assistive personnel discusses client care in the facility cafeteria with visitors present:This situation involves a breach of confidentiality and may violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). However, it is not an example of negligence. Negligence typically involves a failure to provide appropriate care rather than a breach of privacy.
C. A nurse administers a medication without first identifying the client.
A nurse administers a medication without first identifying the client:This is an example of negligence. Negligence refers to the failure to provide the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would have provided under similar circumstances. In this case, administering medication without first identifying the client is a breach of the standard of care, and it can lead to serious consequences, including harm to the patient.
D. A nurse begins a blood transfusion without obtaining consent from a client.
A nurse begins a blood transfusion without obtaining consent from a client:This is an example of a legal issue related to lack of informed consent. While it raises ethical and legal concerns, it may not necessarily be considered negligence, which is more related to a failure in providing care up to the standard. However, it is still a serious violation of ethical and legal principles.
Full Explanation
A. An assistive personnel prevents a client from leaving the facility:
This situation may raise ethical concerns related to patient autonomy and freedom of movement. However, it is not a clear example of negligence. Negligence is more directly related to the provision of care and the failure to meet the standard of care.
B. An assistive personnel discusses client care in the facility cafeteria with visitors present:
This situation involves a breach of confidentiality and may violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). However, it is not an example of negligence. Negligence typically involves a failure to provide appropriate care rather than a breach of privacy.
C. A nurse administers a medication without first identifying the client:
This is an example of negligence. Negligence refers to the failure to provide the standard of care that a reasonably prudent person would have provided under similar circumstances. In this case, administering medication without first identifying the client is a breach of the standard of care, and it can lead to serious consequences, including harm to the patient.
D. A nurse begins a blood transfusion without obtaining consent from a client:
This is an example of a legal issue related to lack of informed consent. While it raises ethical and legal concerns, it may not necessarily be considered negligence, which is more related to a failure in providing care up to the standard. However, it is still a serious violation of ethical and legal principles.
A nurse is teaching a client how to self-administer heparin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Use an 18-gauge, 1-inch needle to administer the medication.
An 18-gauge needle is too large for subcutaneous heparin injections, which require a smaller, finer needle, typically 25- to 27-gauge and ⅜- to ⅝-inch in length. The smaller gauge reduces discomfort and is appropriate for subcutaneous tissue.
B. Inject 5.1 cm (2 in) away from the umbilicus.
Heparin injections should be given at least 2 inches from the umbilicus to avoid areas with dense blood vessels, which decreases the risk of hematoma formation and improves medication absorption.
C. Expel air bubble before injecting medication.
For prefilled heparin syringes, the small air bubble should not be expelled, as it helps ensure the full dose is administered and can reduce bruising by sealing the medication in the tissue.
D. Massage the injection site after withdrawing the needle.
Massaging the site after a heparin injection is not recommended as it increases the risk of bruising and tissue irritation. Instead, gentle pressure may be applied briefly if there is bleeding at the site.
Full Explanation
A. Use an 18-gauge, 1-inch needle to administer the medication. An 18-gauge needle is too large for subcutaneous heparin injections, which require a smaller, finer needle, typically 25- to 27-gauge and ⅜- to ⅝-inch in length. The smaller gauge reduces discomfort and is appropriate for subcutaneous tissue.
B. Inject 5.1 cm (2 in) away from the umbilicus. Heparin injections should be given at least 2 inches from the umbilicus to avoid areas with dense blood vessels, which decreases the risk of hematoma formation and improves medication absorption.
C. Expel air bubble before injecting medication. For prefilled heparin syringes, the small air bubble should not be expelled, as it helps ensure the full dose is administered and can reduce bruising by sealing the medication in the tissue.
D. Massage the injection site after withdrawing the needle. Massaging the site after a heparin injection is not recommended as it increases the risk of bruising and tissue irritation. Instead, gentle pressure may be applied briefly if there is bleeding at the site.