Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who has skeletal traction applied to the left leg. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Remove the weights before changing the client's bed linens.
Removing the weights before changing the client's bed linens is not recommended. The weights are an integral part of the traction system and removing them could disrupt the traction, potentially causing harm or discomfort to the client. The weights must be maintained to ensure the effectiveness of the skeletal traction.
B. Instruct the client to use their elbows to reposition.
Instructing the client to use their elbows to reposition themselves could be helpful, but it is not the primary action the nurse should take. While maintaining some degree of mobility is important, the nurse must ensure that the traction setup is not disturbed during any movement.
C. Check pressure points every 12 hours.
Checking pressure points every 12 hours is important to prevent skin breakdown and ulcers, especially in immobilized patients. However, this is a routine action and not specific to the care of a client with skeletal traction. The nurse should check pressure points more frequently, considering the increased risk of pressure sores in immobilized patients.
D. Provide the client with a trapeze bar.
Providing the client with a trapeze bar is the correct action. A trapeze bar allows the client to independently reposition themselves while maintaining the integrity of the traction. It helps the client to move and shift weight, which can aid in preventing complications such as pressure ulcers and muscle atrophy. It also gives the client a sense of control and independence in their care.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Ati Rn Adult Medical Surgical 2023 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Removing the weights before changing the client's bed linens is not recommended. The weights are an integral part of the traction system and removing them could disrupt the traction, potentially causing harm or discomfort to the client. The weights must be maintained to ensure the effectiveness of the skeletal traction.
Choice B reason: Instructing the client to use their elbows to reposition themselves could be helpful, but it is not the primary action the nurse should take. While maintaining some degree of mobility is important, the nurse must ensure that the traction setup is not disturbed during any movement.
Choice C reason: Checking pressure points every 12 hours is important to prevent skin breakdown and ulcers, especially in immobilized patients. However, this is a routine action and not specific to the care of a client with skeletal traction. The nurse should check pressure points more frequently, considering the increased risk of pressure sores in immobilized patients.
Choice D reason: Providing the client with a trapeze bar is the correct action. A trapeze bar allows the client to independently reposition themselves while maintaining the integrity of the traction. It helps the client to move and shift weight, which can aid in preventing complications such as pressure ulcers and muscle atrophy. It also gives the client a sense of control and independence in their care.
Similar Questions
A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client on how to care for a newly created ileal conduit. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Change the ostomy pouch daily.
Changing the ostomy pouch daily is not necessary and could lead to skin irritation from the frequent removal and application of the adhesive. Ostomy pouches are designed to be worn for several days, and the schedule for changing them can vary based on the type of pouch and individual needs.
B. Empty the ostomy pouch when it is 2/3 full.
Emptying the ostomy pouch when it is 2/3 full is the correct instruction. This prevents the pouch from becoming too heavy, which could pull on the stoma and cause discomfort or damage. It also reduces the risk of leaks and odors.
C. Trim the opening of the ostomy seal to be 1/2 inch wider than the stoma.
Trimming the opening of the ostomy seal to be 1/2 inch wider than the stoma is incorrect. The opening should be trimmed to match the size of the stoma to provide a secure fit and prevent leakage of the contents onto the skin, which could cause irritation or infection.
D. Apply lotion to the peristomal skin when changing the ostomy pouch.
Applying lotion to the peristomal skin when changing the ostomy pouch is not recommended. Lotions or creams can interfere with the adhesive of the ostomy appliance and reduce the effectiveness of the seal. The peristomal skin should be clean and dry to ensure the best adherence of the ostomy appliance.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Changing the ostomy pouch daily is not necessary and could lead to skin irritation from the frequent removal and application of the adhesive. Ostomy pouches are designed to be worn for several days, and the schedule for changing them can vary based on the type of pouch and individual needs.
Choice B reason: Emptying the ostomy pouch when it is 2/3 full is the correct instruction. This prevents the pouch from becoming too heavy, which could pull on the stoma and cause discomfort or damage. It also reduces the risk of leaks and odors.
Choice C reason: Trimming the opening of the ostomy seal to be 1/2 inch wider than the stoma is incorrect. The opening should be trimmed to match the size of the stoma to provide a secure fit and prevent leakage of the contents onto the skin, which could cause irritation or infection.
Choice D reason: Applying lotion to the peristomal skin when changing the ostomy pouch is not recommended. Lotions or creams can interfere with the adhesive of the ostomy appliance and reduce the effectiveness of the seal. The peristomal skin should be clean and dry to ensure the best adherence of the ostomy appliance.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) for the administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The transparent dressing over the insertion site requires replacement. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Aspirate the catheter to check for a brisk blood return.
Aspirating the catheter to check for a brisk blood return is not typically recommended as a routine action when replacing the dressing of a PICC line used for TPN. This action is performed to verify patency and placement of the catheter, but it is not directly related to the dressing change procedure.
B. Use sterile technique for the procedure.
Using sterile technique for the procedure is essential when replacing the dressing of a PICC line. Maintaining sterility is crucial to prevent infection, as the PICC line provides direct access to the central venous system. The nurse should use sterile gloves and follow aseptic protocols to minimize the risk of introducing pathogens at the catheter insertion site.
C. Cleanse the insertion site with hydrogen peroxide.
Cleansing the insertion site with hydrogen peroxide is not recommended for PICC line care. Hydrogen peroxide can be damaging to the tissue and may delay healing. Instead, a chlorhexidine-based antiseptic is typically used to clean the skin around the insertion site during dressing changes to reduce microbial flora and prevent infection.
D. Flush the TPN port with 20 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride.
Flushing the TPN port with 20 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride is a practice used to maintain catheter patency, but it is not part of the dressing change procedure. Flushing is usually done before and after administering medication or nutrition, not specifically during a dressing change.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Aspirating the catheter to check for a brisk blood return is not typically recommended as a routine action when replacing the dressing of a PICC line used for TPN. This action is performed to verify patency and placement of the catheter, but it is not directly related to the dressing change procedure.
Choice B reason: Using sterile technique for the procedure is essential when replacing the dressing of a PICC line. Maintaining sterility is crucial to prevent infection, as the PICC line provides direct access to the central venous system. The nurse should use sterile gloves and follow aseptic protocols to minimize the risk of introducing pathogens at the catheter insertion site.
Choice C reason: Cleansing the insertion site with hydrogen peroxide is not recommended for PICC line care. Hydrogen peroxide can be damaging to the tissue and may delay healing. Instead, a chlorhexidine-based antiseptic is typically used to clean the skin around the insertion site during dressing changes to reduce microbial flora and prevent infection.
Choice D reason: Flushing the TPN port with 20 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride is a practice used to maintain catheter patency, but it is not part of the dressing change procedure. Flushing is usually done before and after administering medication or nutrition, not specifically during a dressing change.
The nurse is instructing the client on the correct way to take nitroglycerin as needed for chest pain:
A. Two tablets PO (by mouth) every 15 minutes.
Taking two tablets PO every 15 minutes is not the standard protocol for nitroglycerin administration for chest pain. This method could lead to an overdose and significant hypotension (low blood pressure), which can be dangerous.
B. One tablet SL (sublingual) every 15 minutes, up to 5 times.
One tablet SL every 15 minutes, up to 5 times, is also not the standard protocol. While sublingual administration is correct, the frequency and the total number of doses are higher than recommended, which could result in adverse effects such as headache, dizziness, or a severe drop in blood pressure.
C. One tablet PO (by mouth) every one hour, up to 5 times.
One tablet PO every one hour, up to 5 times, is not a recommended method for acute chest pain relief from angina. Oral administration does not provide the rapid onset of action required for acute angina relief.
D. One tablet SL (sublingual) every 5 minutes, up to 3 times.
One tablet SL every 5 minutes, up to 3 times, is the correct protocol for nitroglycerin administration when experiencing chest pain due to angina. If pain persists after the first dose, the patient can take a second dose after 5 minutes, and if needed, a third dose after another 5 minutes. If chest pain continues after three doses in 15 minutes, emergency medical help should be sought immediately.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Taking two tablets PO every 15 minutes is not the standard protocol for nitroglycerin administration for chest pain. This method could lead to an overdose and significant hypotension (low blood pressure), which can be dangerous.
Choice B reason: One tablet SL every 15 minutes, up to 5 times, is also not the standard protocol. While sublingual administration is correct, the frequency and the total number of doses are higher than recommended, which could result in adverse effects such as headache, dizziness, or a severe drop in blood pressure.
Choice C reason: One tablet PO every one hour, up to 5 times, is not a recommended method for acute chest pain relief from angina. Oral administration does not provide the rapid onset of action required for acute angina relief.
Choice D reason: One tablet SL every 5 minutes, up to 3 times, is the correct protocol for nitroglycerin administration when experiencing chest pain due to angina. If pain persists after the first dose, the patient can take a second dose after 5 minutes, and if needed, a third dose after another 5 minutes. If chest pain continues after three doses in 15 minutes, emergency medical help should be sought immediately.