Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who has AIDS. Which of the following isolation precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Droplet precautions
Droplet precautions are used for diseases that are transmitted through large respiratory droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, or talking. AIDS, caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), is not transmitted through respiratory droplets, so droplet precautions are not necessary for a client with AIDS.
B. Standard precautions
Standard precautions are the primary strategy for the prevention of infection transmission and apply to all patients receiving care in hospitals, regardless of their diagnosis or presumed infection status. These precautions include hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and gowns, and safe injection practices. Since HIV/AIDS can be transmitted through blood and certain body fluids, standard precautions are essential when caring for clients with AIDS.
C. Airborne precautions
Airborne precautions are used for diseases that are transmitted by small droplet nuclei that remain suspended in the air and can be widely dispersed by air currents within a room or over a long distance. HIV/AIDS is not transmitted through the airborne route, so airborne precautions are not indicated for clients with AIDS.
D. Contact precautions
Contact precautions are used for infections that are spread by direct contact with the patient or indirect contact with surfaces or patient care items. While HIV can be present in body fluids, it is not easily transmitted through casual contact. Therefore, contact precautions are not specifically required for clients with AIDS unless they have other conditions that warrant such precautions.
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Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Droplet precautions are used for diseases that are transmitted through large respiratory droplets produced by coughing, sneezing, or talking. AIDS, caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), is not transmitted through respiratory droplets, so droplet precautions are not necessary for a client with AIDS.
Choice B reason: Standard precautions are the primary strategy for the prevention of infection transmission and apply to all patients receiving care in hospitals, regardless of their diagnosis or presumed infection status. These precautions include hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves and gowns, and safe injection practices. Since HIV/AIDS can be transmitted through blood and certain body fluids, standard precautions are essential when caring for clients with AIDS.
Choice C reason: Airborne precautions are used for diseases that are transmitted by small droplet nuclei that remain suspended in the air and can be widely dispersed by air currents within a room or over a long distance. HIV/AIDS is not transmitted through the airborne route, so airborne precautions are not indicated for clients with AIDS.
Choice D reason: Contact precautions are used for infections that are spread by direct contact with the patient or indirect contact with surfaces or patient care items. While HIV can be present in body fluids, it is not easily transmitted through casual contact. Therefore, contact precautions are not specifically required for clients with AIDS unless they have other conditions that warrant such precautions.
Similar Questions
A nurse is performing an abdominal assessment for a client. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as the priority?
A. Gurgling bowel sounds every 10 seconds
Gurgling bowel sounds every 10 seconds are considered normal, as normoactive bowel sounds range from 5 to 30 sounds per minute. This finding indicates regular gastrointestinal activity and is not typically a cause for concern.
B. Centrally located umbilical protrusion
A centrally located umbilical protrusion can be a normal finding, especially if it has been present since birth and is not associated with any other symptoms. However, if new or associated with pain or other symptoms, it could indicate a hernia or other pathology.
C. Abdominal distention during breathing
Abdominal distention during breathing can be a normal finding, as the abdomen may distend slightly during deep breathing due to the movement of the diaphragm. However, if the distention is pronounced or associated with other symptoms, it may warrant further investigation.
D. Rebound tenderness with palpation
Rebound tenderness with palpation is a sign of peritoneal irritation and can be an indication of conditions such as appendicitis, which is a surgical emergency. This finding should be considered a priority as it may require immediate intervention.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Gurgling bowel sounds every 10 seconds are considered normal, as normoactive bowel sounds range from 5 to 30 sounds per minute. This finding indicates regular gastrointestinal activity and is not typically a cause for concern.
Choice B reason: A centrally located umbilical protrusion can be a normal finding, especially if it has been present since birth and is not associated with any other symptoms. However, if new or associated with pain or other symptoms, it could indicate a hernia or other pathology.
Choice C reason: Abdominal distention during breathing can be a normal finding, as the abdomen may distend slightly during deep breathing due to the movement of the diaphragm. However, if the distention is pronounced or associated with other symptoms, it may warrant further investigation.
Choice D reason: Rebound tenderness with palpation is a sign of peritoneal irritation and can be an indication of conditions such as appendicitis, which is a surgical emergency. This finding should be considered a priority as it may require immediate intervention.
A charge nurse receives a call from the house supervisor requesting room assignments for four new clients. Based on the admission diagnoses, which of the following clients requires a private room?
A. A client who has diabetes mellitus and is presenting with acute ketoacidosis
A client with diabetes mellitus presenting with acute ketoacidosis does not necessarily require a private room unless there are other infection control concerns. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. It is a medical emergency that requires treatment in a hospital, but it is not contagious.
B. An older adult client who was admitted with aspiration pneumonia
An older adult client admitted with aspiration pneumonia would not typically require a private room solely based on this condition. Aspiration pneumonia is caused by inhaling food, stomach acid, or saliva into the lungs. It can lead to a bacterial infection, which may or may not be contagious depending on the causative organism.
C. A client who has a compound fracture of the right femur
A client with a compound fracture of the right femur would not require a private room based on the diagnosis alone. A compound fracture, also known as an open fracture, is a fracture in which there is an open wound or break in the skin near the site of the broken bone. While it requires immediate medical attention to prevent infection, it is not a condition that necessitates isolation.
D. A client who reports having fever, night sweats, and cough for 2 days
A client who reports having fever, night sweats, and cough for 2 days may require a private room due to the possibility of an infectious disease that could be transmitted to others, such as tuberculosis (TB). These symptoms are concerning for TB, which is an airborne infectious disease and would require airborne precautions, including a private room with negative pressure ventilation.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: A client with diabetes mellitus presenting with acute ketoacidosis does not necessarily require a private room unless there are other infection control concerns. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones. It is a medical emergency that requires treatment in a hospital, but it is not contagious.
Choice B reason: An older adult client admitted with aspiration pneumonia would not typically require a private room solely based on this condition. Aspiration pneumonia is caused by inhaling food, stomach acid, or saliva into the lungs. It can lead to a bacterial infection, which may or may not be contagious depending on the causative organism.
Choice C reason: A client with a compound fracture of the right femur would not require a private room based on the diagnosis alone. A compound fracture, also known as an open fracture, is a fracture in which there is an open wound or break in the skin near the site of the broken bone. While it requires immediate medical attention to prevent infection, it is not a condition that necessitates isolation.
Choice D reason: A client who reports having fever, night sweats, and cough for 2 days may require a private room due to the possibility of an infectious disease that could be transmitted to others, such as tuberculosis (TB). These symptoms are concerning for TB, which is an airborne infectious disease and would require airborne precautions, including a private room with negative pressure ventilation.
A nurse is caring for a group of clients. From which of the following clients should the nurse obtain a blood pressure reading using only the left extremity?
A. A client who has a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in the left arm
While it is generally advised to avoid taking blood pressure readings from an arm with a PICC line to prevent complications, if the right arm cannot be used, as may be the case with the other clients listed, the nurse may have to use the left arm with extreme caution, ensuring not to disrupt the PICC line.
B. A client who has left-sided Bell's palsy
Bell's palsy affects facial nerves and does not typically impact the measurement of blood pressure. Therefore, there is no contraindication to using the left arm for a blood pressure reading in a client with left-sided Bell's palsy.
C. A client who has right-sided weakness due to Parkinson's disease
A client with right-sided weakness due to Parkinson's disease can have their blood pressure taken on the left side if the right side is too weak to provide an accurate reading or if using the right side would cause discomfort to the client.
D. A client who has a right upper extremity arteriovenous fistula
For a client with a right upper extremity arteriovenous fistula, typically created for dialysis access, blood pressure measurements should not be taken on that arm to avoid damaging the fistula. Therefore, the left arm should be used for blood pressure readings in this case.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: While it is generally advised to avoid taking blood pressure readings from an arm with a PICC line to prevent complications, if the right arm cannot be used, as may be the case with the other clients listed, the nurse may have to use the left arm with extreme caution, ensuring not to disrupt the PICC line.
Choice B reason: Bell's palsy affects facial nerves and does not typically impact the measurement of blood pressure. Therefore, there is no contraindication to using the left arm for a blood pressure reading in a client with left-sided Bell's palsy.
Choice C reason: A client with right-sided weakness due to Parkinson's disease can have their blood pressure taken on the left side if the right side is too weak to provide an accurate reading or if using the right side would cause discomfort to the client.
Choice D reason: For a client with a right upper extremity arteriovenous fistula, typically created for dialysis access, blood pressure measurements should not be taken on that arm to avoid damaging the fistula. Therefore, the left arm should be used for blood pressure readings in this case.