Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is teaching with a group of nurses about the administration of nitroglycerin. Which of the following routes of administration provides the most rapid onset for the client?
A. Sublingual.
Sublingual administration of nitroglycerin provides the most rapid onset. This route allows the medication to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes under the tongue, bypassing the digestive system.
B. Suspended-release.
Sustained-release nitroglycerin is designed to be released slowly over time. This form of the drug does not provide rapid relief of acute angina symptoms.
C. Transdermal patch.
Transdermal patches of nitroglycerin provide a slow, continuous dose of medication. This is beneficial for long-term management of angina, but it does not provide rapid relief.
D. Topical ointment.
Topical ointments also provide a slow, continuous dose of medication and are not intended for rapid relief of acute symptoms.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI RN Med Surg Custom Proctored Exam 2. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Sublingual administration of nitroglycerin provides the most rapid onset. This route allows the medication to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes under the tongue, bypassing the digestive system.
Choice B rationale:
Sustained-release nitroglycerin is designed to be released slowly over time. This form of the drug does not provide rapid relief of acute angina symptoms.
Choice C rationale:
Transdermal patches of nitroglycerin provide a slow, continuous dose of medication. This is beneficial for long-term management of angina, but it does not provide rapid relief.
Choice D rationale:
Topical ointments also provide a slow, continuous dose of medication and are not intended for rapid relief of acute symptoms.
Similar Questions
A nurse enters a client's room and finds the client on the floor having a seizure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Place the client back in bed.
Placing the client back in bed during a seizure could potentially cause injury. The priority is to protect the client from harm during the seizure.
B. Place the client on his side.
Placing the client on his side, specifically the recovery position, helps keep the airway clear and prevents aspiration.
C. Hold the client's arms and legs from moving.
Holding the client’s arms and legs from moving could cause injury. It’s important to let the seizure take its course while protecting the client from harm.
D. Insert a tongue blade in the client's mouth.
Inserting a tongue blade or any other object in the client’s mouth during a seizure is not recommended. It could cause injury to the client or the nurse.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Placing the client back in bed during a seizure could potentially cause injury. The priority is to protect the client from harm during the seizure.
Choice B rationale:
Placing the client on his side, specifically the recovery position, helps keep the airway clear and prevents aspiration.
Choice C rationale:
Holding the client’s arms and legs from moving could cause injury. It’s important to let the seizure take its course while protecting the client from harm.
Choice D rationale:
Inserting a tongue blade or any other object in the client’s mouth during a seizure is not recommended. It could cause injury to the client or the nurse.
During a routine physical examination, a nurse observes a 1-cm (0.4-in) lesion on a client's chest. The lesion is raised and flesh-colored with pearly, white borders.
The nurse should recognize that this finding is suggestive of which of the following types of skin cancer?
A. Basal cell carcinoma.
Basal cell carcinoma often appears as a raised, flesh-colored lesion with pearly, white borders. It is the most common type of skin cancer.
B. Actinic keratosis.
Actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin condition that can lead to squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. It typically presents as dry, scaly patches or spots.
C. Squamous cell carcinoma.
Squamous cell carcinoma often appears as a firm, red nodule or a flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface.
D. Malignant melanoma.
Malignant melanoma is a more serious type of skin cancer that can develop anywhere on the body. It often appears as a new, irregular, or changing mole.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Basal cell carcinoma often appears as a raised, flesh-colored lesion with pearly, white borders. It is the most common type of skin cancer.
Choice B rationale:
Actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin condition that can lead to squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. It typically presents as dry, scaly patches or spots.
Choice C rationale:
Squamous cell carcinoma often appears as a firm, red nodule or a flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface.
Choice D rationale:
Malignant melanoma is a more serious type of skin cancer that can develop anywhere on the body. It often appears as a new, irregular, or changing mole.
A nurse is providing nail care for a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Trim the nails at the lateral corners.
Trimming the nails at the lateral corners can lead to ingrown toenails, which can cause pain and infection.
B. Clean under the nail with an orange stick.
Cleaning under nails with an orange stick safely removes debris without damaging nail bed or cuticle, reducing infection risk and maintaining proper hygiene.
C. File the nails in a rounded shape.
Filing nails in a rounded shape can predispose to ingrown nails; straight filing is safer and recommended for older adults to prevent complications.
D. Push the cuticles back with a metal nail file.
Pushing the cuticles back with a metal nail file can cause injury and infection.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale: Trimming nails at lateral corners increases risk of ingrown nails and tissue injury, especially in older adults with fragile skin and poor circulation.
Choice B rationale: Cleaning under nails with an orange stick safely removes debris without damaging nail bed or cuticle, reducing infection risk and maintaining proper hygiene.
Choice C rationale: Filing nails in a rounded shape can predispose to ingrown nails; straight filing is safer and recommended for older adults to prevent complications.
Choice D rationale: Pushing cuticles back with a metal nail file can cause trauma, infection, and damage to nail matrix, making this practice unsafe in clinical nail care.