Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who has a femur fracture with the leg in Buck's traction. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Remove the weights for 20 min for the client's report of severe pain.
B. Position the knot of the rope at the top of the pulley
C. Apply 6.8 kg (15 lb) of weight for use in traction
D. Compare bilateral pedal pulses.
Rationale: The nurse should compare bilateral pedal pulses to assess for adequate circulation and perfusion to the lower extremities. Buck's traction is a type of skin traction that is widely used for broken femurs and hips, as well as fractures in the socket portion of the "ball-and-socket" hip joint (acetabular fractures). It uses splints, bandages, and adhesive tapes to position a limb near the fracture, then weights and pulleys are attached and pressure is applied. The nurse should not remove the weights for 20 min for the client's report of severe pain, as this would disrupt the alignment and traction of the fracture. The nurse should not position the knot of the rope at the top of the pulley, as this would interfere with the smooth movement of the rope and reduce the effectiveness of traction. The nurse should not apply 6.8 kg (15 lb) of weight for use in traction, as this would exceed the recommended weight limit for skin traction and could cause skin damage or nerve injury. The weight should not exceed 4.5 kilograms at any point.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
The correct answer is D. Compare bilateral pedal pulses.
Rationale: The nurse should compare bilateral pedal pulses to assess for adequate circulation and perfusion to the lower extremities. Buck's traction is a type of skin traction that is widely used for broken femurs and hips, as well as fractures in the socket portion of the "ball-and-socket" hip joint (acetabular fractures). It uses splints, bandages, and adhesive tapes to position a limb near the fracture, then weights and pulleys are attached and pressure is applied. The nurse should not remove the weights for 20 min for the client's report of severe pain, as this would disrupt the alignment and traction of the fracture .
The nurse should not position the knot of the rope at the top of the pulley, as this would interfere with the smooth movement of the rope and reduce the effectiveness of traction. The nurse should not apply 6.8 kg (15 lb) of weight for use in traction, as this would exceed the recommended weight limit for skin traction and could cause skin damage or nerve injury. The weight should not exceed 4.5 kilograms at any point.
Similar Questions
A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a group of clients. The nurse should identify that informed consent is required for which of the following procedures?
A. Irrigation of a wound with antibiotic solution
B. Placement of a central venous catheter
Rationale: The nurse should identify that informed consent is required for the placement of a central venous catheter, as this is an invasive procedure that carries significant risks and benefits that need to be explained to the client before obtaining consent. Informed consent is not required for irrigation of a wound with antibiotic solution, as this is a routine nursing intervention that does not involve significant risks or benefits. Informed consent is not required for the insertion of a nasogastric tube, as this is a common nursing procedure that does not involve significant risks or benefits. Informed consent is not required for the administration of an iron injection using the Z-track technique, as this is a standard medication administration technique that does not involve significant risks or benefits.
C. Insertion of a nasogastric tube
D. Administration of an iron injection using the Z-track technique
Full Explanation
The correct answer is B. Placement of a central venous catheter.
Rationale: The nurse should identify that informed consent is required for the placement of a central venous catheter, as this is an invasive procedure that carries significant risks and benefits that need to be explained to the client before obtaining consent. Informed consent is not required for irrigation of a wound with antibiotic solution, as this is a routine nursing intervention that does not involve significant risks or benefits.
Informed consent is not required for the insertion of a nasogastric tube, as this is a common nursing procedure that does not involve significant risks or benefits. Informed consent is not required for the administration of an iron injection using the Z-track technique, as this is a standard medication administration technique that does not involve significant risks or benefits.
A nurse is preparing to complete a sterile dressing change for a client's wound. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Open the flap on the sterile kit nearest to the nurse and place the flap on the work surface.
B. Open the side flap of the sterile kit, allowing it to lie flat on the work surface.
C. Open the outermost flap of the sterile kit away from the nurse's body
Rationale: The nurse should open the outermost flap of the sterile kit away from their body first, as this will prevent contamination of their clothing or hands by touching any part of the inside surface or contents of the kit. The nurse should then open each side flap by grasping only its outer edge and pulling it toward them. The nurse should then open the flap nearest to them by grasping only its outer edge and pulling it toward them. The nurse should then apply sterile gloves before touching any part of the inside surface or contents of the kit.
D. Apply sterile gloves.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is C. Open the outermost flap of the sterile kit away from the nurse's body.
Rationale: The nurse should open the outermost flap of the sterile kit away from their body first, as this will prevent contamination of their clothing or hands by touching any part of
the inside surface or contents of the kit. The nurse should then open each side flap by grasping only its outer edge and pulling it toward them. The nurse should then open the flap nearest to them by grasping only its outer edge and pulling it toward them. The nurse should then apply sterile gloves before touching any part of the inside surface or contents of the kit.
A nurse is caring for a client who has schizophrenia and is taking an antipsychotic medication. Which of the following screening tools should the nurse use to identify tardive dyskinesia?
A. Mental Status Examination
B. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
C. Patient Health Questionnaire-9
D. Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale
Rationale: The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale is a diagnostic tool that assesses the severity of tardive dyskinesia, a disorder that results in involuntary repetitive body movements caused by long-term use of antipsychotic drugs.
Full Explanation
Answer: D. Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale
Rationale: The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale is a diagnostic tool that assesses the severity of tardive dyskinesia, a disorder that results in involuntary repetitive body movements caused by long-term use of antipsychotic drugs.