Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is teaching a client who has rheumatoid arthritis about illness management.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Apply cold packs directly on the skin of the affected joints.
because applying cold packs directly on the skin of the affected joints can cause vasoconstriction and increase inflammation. Cold therapy should be used with caution and with a barrier between the skin and the ice pack.
B. Administer biological response modifiers to prevent infection
wrong because biological response modifiers are not used to prevent infection, but to reduce inflammation and slow down joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis. These medications can actually increase the risk of infection by suppressing the immune system.
C. Take a hot shower in the morning to decrease stiffness.
Taking a hot shower in the morning can help decrease stiffness and improve joint mobility for people with rheumatoid arthritis. This is one of the self-management strategies that can reduce pain and disability.
D. Cluster physical activities during the day
because clustering physical activities during the day can cause fatigue and joint stress for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Proctored Exam A. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. Taking a hot shower in the morning can help decrease stiffness and improve joint mobility for people with rheumatoid arthritis. This is one of the self-management strategies that can reduce pain and disability.
Choice A is wrong because applying cold packs directly on the skin of the affected joints can cause vasoconstriction and increase inflammation.
Cold therapy should be used with caution and with a barrier between the skin and the ice pack.
Choice B is wrong because biological response modifiers are not used to prevent infection, but to reduce inflammation and slow down joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis.
These medications can actually increase the risk of infection by suppressing the immune system.
Choice D is wrong because clustering physical activities during the day can cause fatigue and joint stress for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
It is better to pace activities throughout the day and take frequent breaks to rest the joints.
Normal ranges for rheumatoid arthritis are based on the disease activity score (DAS), which measures the number of swollen and tender joints, the level of inflammation in the blood, and the patient’s global assessment of health. A DAS below 2.6 indicates remission, a DAS between 2.6 and 3.2 indicates low disease activity, a DAS between 3.2 and 5.1 indicates moderate disease activity, and a DAS above 5.1 indicates high disease activity.
Similar Questions
A nurse is preparing to reposition a client who had a stroke. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Raise the side rails on both sides of the client’s bed during repositioning.
is wrong because raising the side rails on both sides of the client’s bed during repositioning can increase the risk of falls and entrapment. The nurse should only raise the side rail on the opposite side of the bed from where they are working and lower it when they are done.
B. Reposition the client without the use of assistive devices.
wrong because repositioning the client without assistive devices can cause strain and injury to both the nurse and the client. The nurse should use assistive devices that are appropriate for the client’s condition and weight.
C. Discuss the client’s preferences for determining a repositioning schedule.
wrong because discussing the client’s preferences for determining a repositioning schedule is not a priority action when preparing to reposition a client who had a stroke. The nurse should follow the facility’s protocol for repositioning frequency, which is usually every 2 hours, and adjust it according to the client’s needs and comfort.
D. Evaluate the client’s ability to help with repositioning.
Correct! Evaluate the client’s ability to help with repositioning. This is because the nurse should assess the client’s level of mobility, strength, and coordination before repositioning them to prevent injury and promote comfort. The nurse should also use appropriate assistive devices, such as a drawsheet, a trapeze bar, or a mechanical lift, to facilitate safe repositioning and reduce the risk of skin breakdown and pressure ulcers.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. Evaluate the client’s ability to help with repositioning.
This is because the nurse should assess the client’s level of mobility, strength, and coordination before repositioning them to prevent injury and promote comfort.
The nurse should also use appropriate assistive devices, such as a drawsheet, a trapeze bar, or a mechanical lift, to facilitate safe repositioning and reduce the risk of skin breakdown and pressure ulcers.
Choice A is wrong because raising the side rails on both sides of the client’s bed during repositioning can increase the risk of falls and entrapment.
The nurse should only raise the side rail on the opposite side of the bed from where they are working and lower it when they are done.
Choice B is wrong because repositioning the client without assistive devices can cause strain and injury to both the nurse and the client.
The nurse should use assistive devices that are appropriate for the client’s condition and weight.
Choice C is wrong because discussing the client’s preferences for determining a repositioning schedule is not a priority action when preparing to reposition a client who had a stroke.
The nurse should follow the facility’s protocol for repositioning frequency, which is usually every 2 hours, and adjust it according to the client’s needs and comfort.
The nurse should also involve the client in the care plan and respect their preferences whenever possible.
A staff nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse suction a client’s tracheostomy.
Which of the following actions by the newly licensed nurse requires intervention by the staff nurse?
A. Inserts the catheter without applying suction.
Inserting the catheter without applying suction is correct. Suction should only be applied while withdrawing the catheter to prevent trauma to the tracheal mucosa.
B. Waits for 2 min between suctions.
Waiting for 2 minutes between suctions is too long. The appropriate wait time is generally around 20-30 seconds to 1 minute between suction attempts to prevent hypoxia and allow the patient to recover.
C. Applies suction for 15 seconds.
Applying suction for 15 seconds is within the recommended duration. Suctioning should not exceed 15 seconds to avoid causing hypoxia and trauma to the tracheal mucosa.
D. Encourages the client to cough during suctioning
Encouraging the client to cough during suctioning is appropriate. Coughing helps to mobilize secretions and can make suctioning more effective.
E. None
None
F. None
None
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice b. Waits for 2 min between suctions.
Choice A rationale:
Inserting the catheter without applying suction is correct. Suction should only be applied while withdrawing the catheter to prevent trauma to the tracheal mucosa.
Choice B rationale:
Waiting for 2 minutes between suctions is too long. The appropriate wait time is generally around 20-30 seconds to 1 minute between suction attempts to prevent hypoxia and allow the patient to recover.
Choice C rationale:
Applying suction for 15 seconds is within the recommended duration. Suctioning should not exceed 15 seconds to avoid causing hypoxia and trauma to the tracheal mucosa.
Choice D rationale:
Encouraging the client to cough during suctioning is appropriate. Coughing helps to mobilize secretions and can make suctioning more effective.
A nurse is caring for a client who has cancer and is terminally ill.
The client reports feeling depressed.
Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
A. Would you like to speak to a spiritual advisor
This statement shows respect for the client’s spirituality and offers support without imposing the nurse’s beliefs or values. Spirituality focuses on the significance and purpose of life and can help clients cope with depression and terminal illness.
B. Do you need a prescription for an antianxiety medication
because it implies that the client needs medication to deal with their feelings, which can be dismissive and insensitive. Antianxiety medication may be appropriate for some clients, but it should not be the first option.
C. Would you like to talk to a counselor about advance directives
because it assumes that the client is ready to discuss advance directives, which may not be the case. Advance directives are legal documents that specify the client’s wishes for end-of-life care, such as resuscitation, organ donation, or power of attorney. The nurse should assess the client’s readiness and understanding before initiating this conversation.
D. Do you need information on hospice care
because it suggests that the client is close to death and needs hospice care, which can be discouraging and frightening. Hospice care is an interdisciplinary team effort that provides palliative care for clients who have a terminal illness and a life expectancy of less than 6 months.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice A. “Would you like to speak to a spiritual advisor?”.
This statement shows respect for the client’s spirituality and offers support without imposing the nurse’s beliefs or values. Spirituality focuses on the significance and purpose of life and can help clients cope with depression and terminal illness.
Choice B is wrong because it implies that the client needs medication to deal with their feelings, which can be dismissive and insensitive.
Antianxiety medication may be appropriate for some clients, but it should not be the first option.
Choice C is wrong because it assumes that the client is ready to discuss advance directives, which may not be the case.
Advance directives are legal documents that specify the client’s wishes for end-of-life care, such as resuscitation, organ donation, or power of attorney.
The nurse should assess the client’s readiness and understanding before initiating this conversation.
Choice D is wrong because it suggests that the client is close to death and needs hospice care, which can be discouraging and frightening. Hospice care is an interdisciplinary team effort that provides palliative care for clients who have a terminal illness and a life expectancy of less than 6 months.
The nurse should explain the benefits of hospice care and obtain the client’s consent before making a referral.