Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse attend to first?
A. An older adult client who is anxious and attempting to pull out an IV line
This client is at risk of harming themselves by removing the IV line, which could cause bleeding, infection, or loss of medication. This is a priority issue that requires immediate intervention by the nurse
B. A middle adult client who is reporting nausea after receiving pain medication
This client is experiencing a common side effect of pain medication, which can be managed by administering antiemetics, fluids, or changing the medication. This is not a life-threatening issue and can be addressed after attending to the client in choice A.
C. An older adult client who has kidney failure and returned from dialysis 4 hr ago
This client has a chronic condition that requires regular dialysis, but they are not in acute distress at this time. They should be monitored for signs of fluid overload, electrolyte imbalance, or infection, but they are not a priority over the client in choice A.
D. A middle adult client who has a terminal illness and is requesting a visit from the chaplain
This client has a psychosocial need that should be respected and supported by the nurse, but it is not an urgent issue that requires immediate attention. The nurse can arrange for a visit from the chaplain after attending to the client in choice A.
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
- A. This client is at risk of harming themselves by removing the IV line, which could cause bleeding, infection, or loss of medication. This is a priority issue that requires immediate intervention by the nurse.
- B. This client is experiencing a common side effect of pain medication, which can be managed by administering antiemetics, fluids, or changing the medication. This is not a life-threatening issue and can be addressed after attending to the client in choice A.
- C. This client has a chronic condition that requires regular dialysis, but they are not in acute distress at this time. They should be monitored for signs of fluid overload, electrolyte imbalance, or infection, but they are not a priority over the client in choice A.
- D. This client has a psychosocial need that should be respected and supported by the nurse, but it is not an urgent issue that requires immediate attention. The nurse can arrange for a visit from the chaplain after attending to the client in choice A.
Similar Questions
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of terminal cancer. The client tells the nurse that they would like to go home to be with family and loved ones. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Contact the facility chaplain to visit with the client.
Contacting the facility chaplain to visit with the client may be helpful for some clients who have spiritual needs or concerns, but it does not address the client's expressed desire to go home. The nurse should respect the client's wishes and preferences and not impose their own beliefs or values on them.
B. Explain the process of leaving the facility against medical advice.
Explaining the process of leaving the facility against medical advice may discourage the client from pursuing their goal of going home and imply that they are making a wrong decision. The nurse should not judge or coerce the client, but rather provide them with information and support to make an informed choice.
C. Make a referral for social services.
Making a referral for social services is the best action for the nurse to take, as it will help the client access resources and services that can facilitate their discharge planning and home care arrangements. The social worker can also assist with financial, legal, or emotional issues that may arise from the terminal diagnosis.
D. Encourage the client to continue with inpatient care.
Encouraging the client to continue with inpatient care may go against the client's wishes and values, and may cause them more distress and suffering. The nurse should respect the client's autonomy and dignity and support their quality of life goals.
Full Explanation
- A. Contacting the facility chaplain to visit with the client may be helpful for some clients who have spiritual needs or concerns, but it does not address the client's expressed desire to go home. The nurse should respect the client's wishes and preferences and not impose their own beliefs or values on them.
- B. Explaining the process of leaving the facility against medical advice may discourage the client from pursuing their goal of going home and imply that they are making a wrong decision. The nurse should not judge or coerce the client, but rather provide them with information and support to make an informed choice.
- C. Making a referral for social services is the best action for the nurse to take, as it will help the client access resources and services that can facilitate their discharge planning and home care arrangements. The social worker can also assist with financial, legal, or emotional issues that may arise from the terminal diagnosis.
- D. Encouraging the client to continue with inpatient care may go against the client's wishes and values, and may cause them more distress and suffering. The nurse should respect the client's autonomy and dignity and support their quality of life goals.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching about disease management for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following activities is the nurse's priority?
A. Instruct the client about the importance of regular medical appointments.
Instructing the client about the importance of regular medical appointments is important, but not the priority. The nurse should first ensure that the client knows how to manage their blood glucose levels and administer insulin at home.
B. Encourage the client to participate in daily exercise.
Encouraging the client to participate in daily exercise is beneficial, but not the priority. The nurse should first ensure that the client knows how to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin dose accordingly.
C. Explain proper foot care techniques to the client.
Explaining proper foot care techniques to the client is essential, but not the priority. The nurse should first ensure that the client knows how to prevent and treat hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, which can have serious complications.
D. Ensure that the client understands the medication regimen.
Ensuring that the client understands the medication regimen is the priority. The nurse should teach the client about the types, actions, doses, and administration times of insulin, as well as how to store and dispose of it safely.
Full Explanation
- A. Instructing the client about the importance of regular medical appointments is important, but not the priority. The nurse should first ensure that the client knows how to manage their blood glucose levels and administer insulin at home.
- B. Encouraging the client to participate in daily exercise is beneficial, but not the priority. The nurse should first ensure that the client knows how to monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their insulin dose accordingly.
- C. Explaining proper foot care techniques to the client is essential, but not the priority. The nurse should first ensure that the client knows how to prevent and treat hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, which can have serious complications.
- D. Ensuring that the client understands the medication regimen is the priority. The nurse should teach the client about the types, actions, doses, and administration times of insulin, as well as how to store and dispose of it safely.
A hospice nurse is consulting with a client and her family about receiving home services. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the family understands home hospice care?
A. "We can expect the hospice nurse to provide support for us after our mother's death."
"We can expect the hospice nurse to provide support for us after our mother's death." This statement indicates that the family understands that hospice care includes bereavement services for up to one year after the death of a loved one.
B. "A hospice nurse will come to the house each time our mother needs pain medication."
"A hospice nurse will come to the house each time our mother needs pain medication." This statement indicates that the family does not understand that hospice care involves teaching them how to administer pain medication and other comfort measures to their mother at home.
C. "Now that my mother is receiving hospice services, we will not be able to get respite care."
"Now that my mother is receiving hospice services, we will not be able to get respite care." This statement indicates that the family does not understand that hospice care offers respite care, which allows them to take a break from caregiving for a short period of time.
D. "Hospice care focuses on arranging treatment that will prolong our mother's life."
"Hospice care focuses on arranging treatment that will prolong our mother's life." This statement indicates that the family does not understand that hospice care focuses on providing palliative care, which aims to relieve pain and suffering, rather than curative treatment, which aims to extend life.
Full Explanation
- A. "We can expect the hospice nurse to provide support for us after our mother's death." This statement indicates that the family understands that hospice care includes bereavement services for up to one year after the death of a loved one.
- B. "A hospice nurse will come to the house each time our mother needs pain medication." This statement indicates that the family does not understand that hospice care involves teaching them how to administer pain medication and other comfort measures to their mother at home.
- C. "Now that my mother is receiving hospice services, we will not be able to get respite care." This statement indicates that the family does not understand that hospice care offers respite care, which allows them to take a break from caregiving for a short period of time.
- D. "Hospice care focuses on arranging treatment that will prolong our mother's life." This statement indicates that the family does not understand that hospice care focuses on providing palliative care, which aims to relieve pain and suffering, rather than curative treatment, which aims to extend life.