Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is preparing to obtain a guaiac smear sample from a client for fecal occult blood testing. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
A. Wear sterile gloves when collecting the sample.
While wearing gloves is a standard precaution to prevent contamination and protect the nurse from potential pathogens, the gloves used for collecting a guaiac smear sample do not need to be sterile. Clean, non-sterile gloves are typically sufficient for this procedure.
B. Discard samples that contain urine.
It is crucial to discard any samples that contain urine because urine can interfere with the results of the fecal occult blood test (FOBT). The presence of urine can cause false positives due to the peroxidase activity in urine, which can lead to unnecessary further testing.
C. Collect three samples from a single bowel movement.
Collecting three samples from a single bowel movement is not recommended. Instead, it is advised to collect samples from three separate bowel movements to increase the likelihood of detecting intermittent bleeding, which is common in conditions like colorectal cancer.
D. Take the sample from the outer edge of formed stool.
Taking the sample from the outer edge of formed stool is not the best practice. The sample should be taken from different areas of the stool to ensure a representative sample, as blood may not be uniformly distributed throughout the stool.
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: While wearing gloves is a standard precaution to prevent contamination and protect the nurse from potential pathogens, the gloves used for collecting a guaiac smear sample do not need to be sterile. Clean, non-sterile gloves are typically sufficient for this procedure.
Choice B reason: It is crucial to discard any samples that contain urine because urine can interfere with the results of the fecal occult blood test (FOBT). The presence of urine can cause false positives due to the peroxidase activity in urine, which can lead to unnecessary further testing.
Choice C reason: Collecting three samples from a single bowel movement is not recommended. Instead, it is advised to collect samples from three separate bowel movements to increase the likelihood of detecting intermittent bleeding, which is common in conditions like colorectal cancer.
Choice D reason: Taking the sample from the outer edge of formed stool is not the best practice. The sample should be taken from different areas of the stool to ensure a representative sample, as blood may not be uniformly distributed throughout the stool.
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a client immediately following a lumbar puncture. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Instruct the client to expect tingling in their extremities.
Instructing the client to expect tingling in their extremities is not a standard post-lumbar puncture care instruction. Tingling may be a sign of nerve irritation or damage, which is not an expected outcome and should be reported if it occurs.
B. Measure blood glucose every 2 hours.
Measuring blood glucose every 2 hours is not related to post-lumbar puncture care unless the client has a specific condition that requires such monitoring. Post-lumbar puncture care focuses on preventing complications such as headaches and monitoring for signs of infection or bleeding.
C. Limit the client's fluid intake.
Limiting the client's fluid intake is not advised following a lumbar puncture. In fact, increasing fluid intake can help prevent the occurrence of post-lumbar puncture headaches, which are a common complication. Adequate hydration helps replenish cerebrospinal fluid and reduce headache severity.
D. Instruct the client to lie flat.
Instructing the client to lie flat is the correct action. After a lumbar puncture, it is recommended that the client lies flat for several hours to prevent the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the puncture site, which can lead to a spinal headache. Lying flat helps maintain normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure and reduces the risk of headache.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Instructing the client to expect tingling in their extremities is not a standard post-lumbar puncture care instruction. Tingling may be a sign of nerve irritation or damage, which is not an expected outcome and should be reported if it occurs.
Choice B reason: Measuring blood glucose every 2 hours is not related to post-lumbar puncture care unless the client has a specific condition that requires such monitoring. Post-lumbar puncture care focuses on preventing complications such as headaches and monitoring for signs of infection or bleeding.
Choice C reason: Limiting the client's fluid intake is not advised following a lumbar puncture. In fact, increasing fluid intake can help prevent the occurrence of post-lumbar puncture headaches, which are a common complication. Adequate hydration helps replenish cerebrospinal fluid and reduce headache severity.
Choice D reason: Instructing the client to lie flat is the correct action. After a lumbar puncture, it is recommended that the client lies flat for several hours to prevent the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the puncture site, which can lead to a spinal headache. Lying flat helps maintain normal cerebrospinal fluid pressure and reduces the risk of headache.
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a complete thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
A. Muscle twitching
Muscle twitching can be indicative of hypocalcemia, a common and serious complication following a complete thyroidectomy due to potential damage or removal of the parathyroid glands. Hypocalcemia requires immediate intervention to prevent more severe symptoms such as tetany or cardiac complications.
B. Client report of nausea
While nausea is a common postoperative symptom, it is not typically as urgent as signs of hypocalcemia. However, persistent nausea should still be addressed as it can affect the client's comfort and nutritional intake.
C. Serosanguineous drainage
Serosanguineous drainage is expected to some extent after surgery, but if it is excessive or changes in character, it may indicate hemorrhage or infection, which would then become a priority.
D. Client report of incisional pain
Incisional pain is also expected postoperatively. While pain management is important for recovery, it is not as immediately concerning as potential hypocalcemia unless the pain is severe or uncontrolled, suggesting complications.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason : Muscle twitching can be indicative of hypocalcemia, a common and serious complication following a complete thyroidectomy due to potential damage or removal of the parathyroid glands. Hypocalcemia requires immediate intervention to prevent more severe symptoms such as tetany or cardiac complications.
Choice B reason : While nausea is a common postoperative symptom, it is not typically as urgent as signs of hypocalcemia. However, persistent nausea should still be addressed as it can affect the client's comfort and nutritional intake.
Choice C reason : Serosanguineous drainage is expected to some extent after surgery, but if it is excessive or changes in character, it may indicate hemorrhage or infection, which would then become a priority.
Choice D reason : Incisional pain is also expected postoperatively. While pain management is important for recovery, it is not as immediately concerning as potential hypocalcemia unless the pain is severe or uncontrolled, suggesting complications.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a 0.9% sodium chloride via IV infusion. The client has become dyspneic with a blood pressure of 140/100 mm Hg, a fluid intake of 960 mL, and an output of 300 mL in the past 12 hours. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer prescribed corticosteroids.
Administering corticosteroids is not the first-line action for dyspnea related to fluid overload or other causes of respiratory distress in this context.
B. Slow infusion rate and contact the provider.
Slowing the infusion rate is appropriate when there are signs of fluid overload, such as dyspnea and hypertension. Contacting the provider is crucial for further assessment and management, which may include diuretics or other interventions.
C. Lower the head of the bed to semi-Fowler's.
Lowering the head of the bed to semi-Fowler's may provide some relief for dyspnea, but it does not address the potential cause, which in this case could be fluid overload.
D. Change infusion to lactated Ringer's and maintain rate.
Changing the infusion to lactated Ringer's would not be appropriate if the client is experiencing symptoms of fluid overload. The type of fluid is less important than the volume and rate of administration in this scenario.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason : Administering corticosteroids is not the first-line action for dyspnea related to fluid overload or other causes of respiratory distress in this context.
Choice B reason : Slowing the infusion rate is appropriate when there are signs of fluid overload, such as dyspnea and hypertension. Contacting the provider is crucial for further assessment and management, which may include diuretics or other interventions.
Choice C reason : Lowering the head of the bed to semi-Fowler's may provide some relief for dyspnea, but it does not address the potential cause, which in this case could be fluid overload.
Choice D reason : Changing the infusion to lactated Ringer's would not be appropriate if the client is experiencing symptoms of fluid overload. The type of fluid is less important than the volume and rate of administration in this scenario.