Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who has just developed a pulmonary embolism. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and suppresses immune response. It is not indicated for treating pulmonary embolism, but it may be used for other pulmonary conditions, such as asthma or COPD.
B. Atropine
Atropine is an anticholinergic that blocks the action of acetylcholine and increases heart rate and cardiac output. It is not indicated for treating pulmonary embolism, but it may be used for bradycardia or asystole.
C. Heparin
Heparin is an anticoagulant that prevents the formation of new clots and the extension of existing clots. It is the drug of choice for treating acute pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition caused by a blood clot that travels to the lungs and blocks a pulmonary artery.
D. Furosemide
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urine output and reduces fluid volume and blood pressure. It is not indicated for treating pulmonary embolism, but it may be used for heart failure or edema.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Med Surg Proctored Exam 1. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Heparin is an anticoagulant that prevents the formation of new clots and the extension of existing clots. It is the drug of choice for treating acute pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition caused by a blood clot that travels to the lungs and blocks a pulmonary artery.
a) Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and suppresses immune response. It is not indicated for treating pulmonary embolism, but it may be used for other pulmonary conditions, such as asthma or COPD.
b) Atropine is an anticholinergic that blocks the action of acetylcholine and increases heart rate and cardiac output. It is not indicated for treating pulmonary embolism, but it may be used for bradycardia or asystole.
d) Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urine output and reduces fluid volume and blood pressure. It is not indicated for treating pulmonary embolism, but it may be used for heart failure or edema.
Similar Questions
A nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a child who has streptococcal pharyngitis about ways to prevent disease transmission. Which of the following responses by the parents indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "We'll continue to encourage him to drink lots of fluids."
Encouraging the child to drink lots of fluids is a way to promote hydration and soothe the throat, but it does not prevent disease transmission. The child should avoid sharing cups or utensils with others and use disposable tissues or paper towels.
B. "We'll take his temperature every 4 hours."
Taking the child's temperature every 4 hours is a way to monitor fever, but it does not prevent disease transmission. The thermometer should be cleaned and disinfected after each use and not shared with others.
C. "We'll discard his toothbrush and buy another."
Discarding the toothbrush and buying another is a way to prevent disease transmission, as the toothbrush can harbor bacteria and reinfect the child or spread the infection to others. The toothbrush should be discarded after 24 hours of antibiotic therapy.
D. "We'll give him Tylenol for the pain."
Giving the child Tylenol for the pain is a way to relieve discomfort, but it does not prevent disease transmission. The medication should be administered according to the label instructions and not shared with others.
Full Explanation
Discarding the toothbrush and buying another is a way to prevent disease transmission, as the toothbrush can harbor bacteria and reinfect the child or spread the infection to others. The toothbrush should be discarded after 24 hours of antibiotic therapy.
a) Encouraging the child to drink lots of fluids is a way to promote hydration and soothe the throat, but it does not prevent disease transmission. The child should avoid sharing cups or utensils with others and use disposable tissues or paper towels.
b) Taking the child's temperature every 4 hours is a way to monitor fever, but it does not prevent disease transmission. The thermometer should be cleaned and disinfected after each use and not shared with others.
d) Giving the child Tylenol for the pain is a way to relieve discomfort, but it does not prevent disease transmission. The medication should be administered according to the label instructions and not shared with others.
A nurse is caring for a client following a total laryngectomy. Which of the following is the priority observation in the client's care?
A. Patency of the intravenous line.
Patency of the intravenous line is important, but not the priority observation in the client's care. The intravenous line provides fluids, electrolytes, and medications to the client, but it does not affect the airway patency or oxygenation.
B. Need for suctioning.
Suctioning is the priority observation in the client's care, as it prevents airway obstruction and respiratory distress caused by blood, mucus, or secretions. The client has a permanent tracheostomy and cannot cough or clear the airway effectively. The nurse should assess the need for suctioning frequently and perform it as needed, using sterile technique and maintaining oxygenation.
C. Integrity of the dressing.
Integrity of the dressing is important, but not the priority observation in the client's care. The dressing protects the surgical site from infection and bleeding, but it does not affect the airway patency or oxygenation.
D. Level of pain.
Level of pain is important, but not the priority observation in the client's care. The pain can be managed with analgesics and nonpharmacological measures, but it does not affect the airway patency or oxygenation.
Full Explanation
Suctioning is the priority observation in the client's care, as it prevents airway obstruction and respiratory distress caused by blood, mucus, or secretions. The client has a permanent tracheostomy and cannot cough or clear the airway effectively. The nurse should assess the need for suctioning frequently and perform it as needed, using sterile technique and maintaining oxygenation.
a) Patency of the intravenous line is important, but not the priority observation in the client's care. The intravenous line provides fluids, electrolytes, and medications to the client, but it does not affect the airway patency or oxygenation.
c) Integrity of the dressing is important, but not the priority observation in the client's care. The dressing protects the surgical site from infection and bleeding, but it does not affect the airway patency or oxygenation.
d) Level of pain is important, but not the priority observation in the client's care. The pain can be managed with analgesics and nonpharmacological measures, but it does not affect the airway patency or oxygenation.
A nurse is preparing to administer hydrocortisone 100 mg IM daily to a client. Available is hydrocortisone 250 mg/2 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
(Round the answer to the nearest tenth number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
Full Explanation
To calculate the amount of mL to administer, the nurse should use the following formula:
(mg ordered / mg available) x mL available = mL to administer
Substituting the values from the question, the nurse should do the following:
(100 mg / 250 mg) x 2 mL = 0.8 mL
