Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who has deep-vein thrombosis and a new prescription for antiembolitic stockings.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Massage the legs before applying the stockings.
Massaging the legs before applying the stockings is not advisable. Vigorous massage can dislodge clots in patients with DVT, leading to serious complications like pulmonary embolism. It is essential to handle the legs gently and follow the proper procedure for applying antiembolitic stockings.
B. Fold the stockings at the top if they are too long.
Folding the stockings at the top if they are too long is not recommended. Altering the stockings in this way can create uneven pressure, reducing their effectiveness in preventing DVT. It is crucial to choose the correct size of stockings to ensure proper compression and prevention of complications.
C. Measure the legs with a tape measure to determine stocking size.
Measuring the legs with a tape measure to determine the stocking size is the correct action. Proper sizing is essential to ensure the stockings fit the patient correctly and provide the appropriate level of compression. Ill-fitting stockings can be ineffective and may even cause harm, such as skin abrasions or impeded circulation.
D. Remove the stockings every 24 hr.
Removing the stockings every 24 hours is unnecessary unless there is a specific medical indication to do so. Continuous wear of antiembolitic stockings is generally recommended to provide consistent compression and prevent deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - RN Comprehensive Online Practice 2019 B with NGN Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Massaging the legs before applying the stockings is not advisable. Vigorous massage can dislodge clots in patients with DVT, leading to serious complications like pulmonary embolism. It is essential to handle the legs gently and follow the proper procedure for applying antiembolitic stockings.
Choice B rationale:
Folding the stockings at the top if they are too long is not recommended. Altering the stockings in this way can create uneven pressure, reducing their effectiveness in preventing DVT. It is crucial to choose the correct size of stockings to ensure proper compression and prevention of complications.
Choice C rationale:
Measuring the legs with a tape measure to determine the stocking size is the correct action. Proper sizing is essential to ensure the stockings fit the patient correctly and provide the appropriate level of compression. Ill-fitting stockings can be ineffective and may even cause harm, such as skin abrasions or impeded circulation.
Choice D rationale:
Removing the stockings every 24 hours is unnecessary unless there is a specific medical indication to do so. Continuous wear of antiembolitic stockings is generally recommended to provide consistent compression and prevent deep-vein thrombosis (DVT)
Similar Questions
A nurse is planning care for a client who is undergoing brachytherapy with a low-dose radiation implant for treatment of prostate cancer.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the client's plan of care?
A. Limit each of the client's visitors to 2 hr per day.
This is incorrect. While visitors should have their exposure limited, the recommended duration is typically much shorter (around 30 minutes to 1 hour), not 2 hours. This is to reduce radiation exposure.
B. Instruct visitors to stay 1 m (3.3 feet) away from the client.
This is correct. For clients undergoing brachytherapy with a low-dose radiation implant, visitors should maintain a safe distance, usually at least 6 feet (1.8 meters), but some guidelines may state a minimum of 3.3 feet (1 meter) for safety, depending on the specific radiation dose and facility protocols.
C. Attach a dosimeter to the client's gown.
This is incorrect. Dosimeters are generally worn by healthcare providers, not the patient. The primary purpose is to measure the radiation exposure of healthcare workers, not the patient.
D. Strain the client's urine.
This is incorrect. Straining urine is not necessary for a patient undergoing brachytherapy. However, it may be important to monitor the urine for signs of radiation leakage, but straining is not a routine part of care.
Full Explanation
A. "Limit each of the client's visitors to 2 hr per day."
This is incorrect. While visitors should have their exposure limited, the recommended duration is typically much shorter (around 30 minutes to 1 hour), not 2 hours. This is to reduce radiation exposure.
B. "Instruct visitors to stay 1 m (3.3 feet) away from the client."
This is correct. For clients undergoing brachytherapy with a low-dose radiation implant, visitors should maintain a safe distance, usually at least 6 feet (1.8 meters), but some guidelines may state a minimum of 3.3 feet (1 meter) for safety, depending on the specific radiation dose and facility protocols.
C. "Attach a dosimeter to the client's gown."
This is incorrect. Dosimeters are generally worn by healthcare providers, not the patient. The primary purpose is to measure the radiation exposure of healthcare workers, not the patient.
D. "Strain the client's urine."
This is incorrect. Straining urine is not necessary for a patient undergoing brachytherapy. However, it may be important to monitor the urine for signs of radiation leakage, but straining is not a routine part of care.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is 1 day postoperative following a right modified radical mastectomy.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Begin ball squeezing exercises.
Beginning ball squeezing exercises is not advisable immediately after a modified radical mastectomy. The client's arm on the affected side needs time to heal, and strenuous exercises can strain the surgical site, increase pain, and potentially disrupt the healing process.
B. Wear a bra with wire support.
Wearing a bra with wire support is not recommended, especially in the early postoperative period. Underwire bras can irritate the surgical site and interfere with the healing process. Patients are usually advised to wear soft, non-underwire bras or special post-surgical bras designed for comfort and support.
C. Avoid using the affected arm for eating.
Avoiding the use of the affected arm for eating is the correct instruction. Protecting the surgical site and preventing strain is essential for proper healing. Encouraging the client to use the opposite arm for activities like eating can minimize movement in the affected area, reducing the risk of complications.
D. Use deodorant under the affected arm.
Using deodorant under the affected arm is not recommended immediately after surgery. The surgical site needs to be kept clean and dry to prevent infection and promote healing. Deodorants, especially those containing chemicals or fragrances, can irritate the skin and increase the risk of complications. Patients are usually advised to avoid applying any products to the surgical area until it is fully healed.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Beginning ball squeezing exercises is not advisable immediately after a modified radical mastectomy. The client's arm on the affected side needs time to heal, and strenuous exercises can strain the surgical site, increase pain, and potentially disrupt the healing process.
Choice B rationale:
Wearing a bra with wire support is not recommended, especially in the early postoperative period. Underwire bras can irritate the surgical site and interfere with the healing process. Patients are usually advised to wear soft, non-underwire bras or special post-surgical bras designed for comfort and support.
Choice C rationale:
Avoiding the use of the affected arm for eating is the correct instruction. Protecting the surgical site and preventing strain is essential for proper healing. Encouraging the client to use the opposite arm for activities like eating can minimize movement in the affected area, reducing the risk of complications.
Choice D rationale:
Using deodorant under the affected arm is not recommended immediately after surgery. The surgical site needs to be kept clean and dry to prevent infection and promote healing. Deodorants, especially those containing chemicals or fragrances, can irritate the skin and increase the risk of complications. Patients are usually advised to avoid applying any products to the surgical area until it is fully healed.
A nurse is planning educational materials for a client who has a new pacemaker.
Which of the following information should the nurse include?
A. "Keep mobile phones 4 inches from the pacemaker generator.”
The nurse should include the information about keeping mobile phones at least 4 inches away from the pacemaker generator in the educational materials for the client. This is because mobile phones emit electromagnetic signals that could interfere with the functioning of the pacemaker. Maintaining a safe distance helps prevent electromagnetic interference, ensuring the pacemaker functions properly without any disruptions. It's crucial for the client to be aware of this to prevent potential complications and ensure the pacemaker's effectiveness.
B. "Limit strenuous physical activity for 8 weeks.”
Limiting strenuous physical activity for 8 weeks is not a necessary precaution for a client with a new pacemaker unless specifically advised by the healthcare provider. Patients with pacemakers are often encouraged to resume normal activities after the procedure, with the understanding that they should listen to their bodies and avoid activities that cause discomfort or strain. There is no standard guideline suggesting an 8-week restriction on strenuous physical activity for all patients with new pacemakers.
C. "Check your pulse rate for 30 seconds at different times throughout the day.”
Checking the pulse rate for 30 seconds at different times throughout the day is a general health practice and not specifically related to the presence of a pacemaker. While monitoring heart rate is essential for overall health, it is not a pacemaker-specific guideline that must be included in the educational materials for a client with a new pacemaker.
D. "Expect to have intermittent, prolonged hiccups.”
Expecting to have intermittent, prolonged hiccups is not relevant information for a client with a new pacemaker. Hiccups are a common physiological phenomenon and are not influenced by the presence of a pacemaker. Including this information in the educational materials would be irrelevant and potentially confusing for the client.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The nurse should include the information about keeping mobile phones at least 4 inches away from the pacemaker generator in the educational materials for the client. This is because mobile phones emit electromagnetic signals that could interfere with the functioning of the pacemaker. Maintaining a safe distance helps prevent electromagnetic interference, ensuring the pacemaker functions properly without any disruptions. It's crucial for the client to be aware of this to prevent potential complications and ensure the pacemaker's effectiveness.
Choice B rationale:
Limiting strenuous physical activity for 8 weeks is not a necessary precaution for a client with a new pacemaker unless specifically advised by the healthcare provider. Patients with pacemakers are often encouraged to resume normal activities after the procedure, with the understanding that they should listen to their bodies and avoid activities that cause discomfort or strain. There is no standard guideline suggesting an 8-week restriction on strenuous physical activity for all patients with new pacemakers.
Choice C rationale:
Checking the pulse rate for 30 seconds at different times throughout the day is a general health practice and not specifically related to the presence of a pacemaker. While monitoring heart rate is essential for overall health, it is not a pacemaker-specific guideline that must be included in the educational materials for a client with a new pacemaker.
Choice D rationale:
Expecting to have intermittent, prolonged hiccups is not relevant information for a client with a new pacemaker. Hiccups are a common physiological phenomenon and are not influenced by the presence of a pacemaker. Including this information in the educational materials would be irrelevant and potentially confusing for the client.