Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client.
Vital Signs.
1600: Nurses' Notes.
Temperature 37.6°C (99.7°F). Blood pressure 110/58 mm Hg. Heart rate 72/min.
Respiratory rate 18/min.
Pulse oximetry 98% on room air.
1630: Temperature 37.5°C (99.5°F). Blood pressure 78/52 mm Hg. Heart rate 112/min.
Respiratory rate 26/min.
Pulse oximetry 92% on room air.
1600: Antibiotic administered as prescribed.
Bilateral breath sounds clear and present throughout.
1630: Client reports itching on the chest and has urticaria over the chest and trunk.
Client states they are having difficulty swallowing and feel as if there is a lump in their throat.
Bilateral breath sounds with scattered wheezing heard throughout.
Vital Signs.
Nurses' Notes.
Medication Administration Record.
Cefaclor 500 mg PO q8h.
Select the 3 findings that require immediate follow-up.
A. Breath sounds at 1600.
“Breath sounds at 1600.” The breath sounds at 1600 were clear and present throughout, which is a normal finding and does not require immediate follow-up.
B. Temperature.
“Temperature.” The temperature readings at both 1600 and 1630 are slightly elevated but not critically high. This does not require immediate follow-up compared to the other findings.
C. Urticaria.
“Urticaria.” The presence of urticaria (hives) indicates an allergic reaction, which can potentially escalate to a more severe reaction such as anaphylaxis. Immediate follow-up is necessary to prevent further complications.
D. Blood pressure at 1630.
“Blood pressure at 1630.” The blood pressure at 1630 is significantly lower (78/52 mm Hg) compared to the earlier reading (110/58 mm Hg). This hypotension could indicate a serious reaction to the medication or another underlying issue that requires prompt attention.
E. Report of dysphagia.
“Report of dysphagia.” The client’s report of difficulty swallowing and feeling a lump in their throat is concerning for a potential airway obstruction or severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis. This symptom requires immediate follow-up to ensure the client’s airway remains open and to provide necessary interventions.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI custom fundamentals final proctored exam fall 2023. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
The correct answer is to select the following three findings that require immediate follow-up: C. Urticaria, D. Blood pressure at 1630, and E. Report of dysphagia.
Choice A rationale:
“Breath sounds at 1600.” The breath sounds at 1600 were clear and present throughout, which is a normal finding and does not require immediate follow-up.
Choice B rationale:
“Temperature.” The temperature readings at both 1600 and 1630 are slightly elevated but not critically high. This does not require immediate follow-up compared to the other findings.
Choice C rationale:
“Urticaria.” The presence of urticaria (hives) indicates an allergic reaction, which can potentially escalate to a more severe reaction such as anaphylaxis. Immediate follow-up is necessary to prevent further complications.
Choice D rationale:
“Blood pressure at 1630.” The blood pressure at 1630 is significantly lower (78/52 mm Hg) compared to the earlier reading (110/58 mm Hg). This hypotension could indicate a serious reaction to the medication or another underlying issue that requires prompt attention.
Choice E rationale:
“Report of dysphagia.” The client’s report of difficulty swallowing and feeling a lump in their throat is concerning for a potential airway obstruction or severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis. This symptom requires immediate follow-up to ensure the client’s airway remains open and to provide necessary interventions.
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative.
Vital Signs.
0800: Nurses' Notes.
BP 118/72 mm Hg. Heart rate 82/min.
Respiratory rate 16/min.
Temperature 36.7°C (98°F). SaO2 98% on room air.
1000: BP 128/82 mm Hg. Heart rate 94/min.
Respiratory rate 18/min.
Temperature 36.7°C (98°F). SaO2 98% on room air.
Vital Signs.
Nurses' Notes.
0745: Client awake and eating breakfast while watching the news on television.
Client has hearing loss, does not wear a hearing aid, and TV volume is loud.
Rates pain as a 2 on a 0 to 10 pain scale.
Incisional dressing dry and intact.
1000: Nurses' Notes.
Client ambulated in the hallway with a physical therapist.
Client grimacing, appears upset, and is guarding incisional site.
Reports pain as 5 on a 0 to 10 pain scale.
Opioid analgesic administered.
1045: Client resting with eyes closed and listening to music with earphones.
Reports feeling "very sleepy" after pain medication.
Now rates pain as a 3 on a 0 to 10 pain scale.
1300: Ate 75% of lunch.
Several visitors at the bedside.
Which of the following factors could present a barrier to the nurse effectively communicating with the client? Select all that apply.
A. Client's hearing deficit.
A client with hearing loss who does not wear a hearing aid may experience difficulty understanding spoken communication, especially in noisy environments, leading to potential miscommunication or misunderstanding.
B. Volume of the client's television.
Loud television volume can make it difficult for both the nurse and the client to hear each other, causing interference in their communication and potentially leading to errors in information exchange.
C. Numerous visitors in the client's room.
The presence of numerous visitors in the room can cause distractions, background noise, and overall interference with the nurse-client communication process, potentially affecting the quality and accuracy of the information exchanged.
D. Increase in pain after ambulation.
While an increase in pain after ambulation could affect the client's mood, cooperation, and ability to engage in effective communication, it does not directly create a barrier to the nurse's ability to communicate with the client. Pain management is an essential aspect of postoperative care, and effective communication can actually facilitate pain assessment, management, and overall client well-being.
E. Adverse effects of opioid analgesic.
Opioid analgesics can cause adverse effects such as drowsiness, confusion, or cognitive impairment, hindering effective communication between the nurse and the client, as the client's ability to comprehend, retain, and convey information may be impaired.
F. Using earphones while listening to music.
The use of earphones while listening to music can impair the client's ability to hear the nurse, creating a barrier to effective communication. This could potentially lead to missed or misunderstood information and, consequently, affect the quality of care.
Full Explanation
The correct answers are a. Client's hearing deficit, b. Volume of the client's television, c. Numerous visitors in the client's room, e. Adverse effects of opioid analgesic, and f. Using earphones while listening to music.
Choice A rationale: A client with hearing loss who does not wear a hearing aid may experience difficulty understanding spoken communication, especially in noisy environments, leading to potential miscommunication or misunderstanding.
Choice B rationale: Loud television volume can make it difficult for both the nurse and the client to hear each other, causing interference in their communication and potentially leading to errors in information exchange.
Choice C rationale: The presence of numerous visitors in the room can cause distractions, background noise, and overall interference with the nurse-client communication process, potentially affecting the quality and accuracy of the information exchanged.
Choice E rationale: Opioid analgesics can cause adverse effects such as drowsiness, confusion, or cognitive impairment, hindering effective communication between the nurse and the client, as the client's ability to comprehend, retain, and convey information may be impaired.
Choice F rationale: The use of earphones while listening to music can impair the client's ability to hear the nurse, creating a barrier to effective communication. This could potentially lead to missed or misunderstood information and, consequently, affect the quality of care.
Choice D rationale (Incorrect choice): While an increase in pain after ambulation could affect the client's mood, cooperation, and ability to engage in effective communication, it does not directly create a barrier to the nurse's ability to communicate with the client. Pain management is an essential aspect of postoperative care, and effective communication can actually facilitate pain assessment, management, and overall client well-being.
A nurse is teaching a class on ethical principles.
The nurse should include that protecting a client's safety by not causing harm refers to which of the following ethical principles?
A. Beneficence.
Beneficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes doing good and promoting the well-being of the client. While it is an essential ethical principle in nursing, it is not directly related to the concept of not causing harm, as described in the question.
B. Fidelity.
Fidelity, also known as faithfulness or loyalty, pertains to the nurse's obligation to uphold commitments and keep promises made to the client. While fidelity is crucial in nursing practice, it is not the primary principle related to the concept of not causing harm.
C. Justice.
Justice is the ethical principle concerned with fairness and the equitable distribution of healthcare resources and treatment. It focuses on providing clients with their due and ensuring that they are treated fairly and without discrimination. Justice is important in healthcare ethics but is not directly associated with the principle of not causing harm.
D. Nonmaleficence.
Protecting a client's safety by not causing harm refers to the ethical principle of nonmaleficence. Nonmaleficence emphasizes the duty of healthcare professionals to avoid harm or minimize harm when providing care to clients. This principle is closely related to the concept of "do no harm" and places a high value on the well-being and safety of the client. Nurses must make decisions and take actions that prioritize the client's safety and well-being, even when faced with difficult ethical dilemmas.
Full Explanation
Choice D rationale:
Protecting a client's safety by not causing harm refers to the ethical principle of nonmaleficence. Nonmaleficence emphasizes the duty of healthcare professionals to avoid harm or minimize harm when providing care to clients. This principle is closely related to the concept of "do no harm" and places a high value on the well-being and safety of the client. Nurses must make decisions and take actions that prioritize the client's safety and well-being, even when faced with difficult ethical dilemmas.
Choice A rationale:
Beneficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes doing good and promoting the well-being of the client. While it is an essential ethical principle in nursing, it is not directly related to the concept of not causing harm, as described in the question.
Choice B rationale:
Fidelity, also known as faithfulness or loyalty, pertains to the nurse's obligation to uphold commitments and keep promises made to the client. While fidelity is crucial in nursing practice, it is not the primary principle related to the concept of not causing harm.
Choice C rationale:
Justice is the ethical principle concerned with fairness and the equitable distribution of healthcare resources and treatment. It focuses on providing clients with their due and ensuring that they are treated fairly and without discrimination. Justice is important in healthcare ethics but is not directly associated with the principle of not causing harm.
A nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about end-of-life care.
The nurse should include that which of the following services provides support for a client's caregiver?
A. Postmortem care.
Postmortem care is the care provided to a deceased client, and it does not directly support the caregiver of a living client. It is essential for ensuring respectful and appropriate handling of the deceased individual but does not provide support to caregivers.
B. Home care.
Home care involves healthcare services delivered in the client's home, which can be beneficial for the client's care but does not specifically address the needs of the caregiver. While it may indirectly ease the caregiver's responsibilities, it is not a service designed to support caregivers directly.
C. Respite care.
Respite care provides support for a client's caregiver. Respite care offers temporary relief or rest for caregivers who are taking care of individuals with chronic illness, disabilities, or those approaching the end of life. It allows caregivers to have a break from their responsibilities, reducing caregiver burnout and stress. This type of support helps maintain the caregiver's physical and emotional well-being, which, in turn, benefits the client's overall care.
D. Restorative care.
Restorative care focuses on rehabilitation and restoring the client's health and independence, which primarily benefits the client rather than the caregiver. It is not a service aimed at supporting caregivers in the same way that respite care does.
Full Explanation
Choice C rationale:
Respite care provides support for a client's caregiver. Respite care offers temporary relief or rest for caregivers who are taking care of individuals with chronic illness, disabilities, or those approaching the end of life. It allows caregivers to have a break from their responsibilities, reducing caregiver burnout and stress. This type of support helps maintain the caregiver's physical and emotional well-being, which, in turn, benefits the client's overall care.
Choice A rationale:
Postmortem care is the care provided to a deceased client, and it does not directly support the caregiver of a living client. It is essential for ensuring respectful and appropriate handling of the deceased individual but does not provide support to caregivers.
Choice B rationale:
Home care involves healthcare services delivered in the client's home, which can be beneficial for the client's care but does not specifically address the needs of the caregiver. While it may indirectly ease the caregiver's responsibilities, it is not a service designed to support caregivers directly.
Choice D rationale:
Restorative care focuses on rehabilitation and restoring the client's health and independence, which primarily benefits the client rather than the caregiver. It is not a service aimed at supporting caregivers in the same way that respite care does.