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NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse working on a medical-surgical unit suspects that several clients have Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) when they all develop watery diarrhea. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take while waiting for the client's lab results?
A. Request the providers to initiate antibiotic therapy for every client on the unit.
Requesting antibiotic therapy for every client on the unit is not advisable without confirmation of the diagnosis. Antibiotics can exacerbate C. difficile infections and are typically reserved for confirmed cases where necessary.
B. Perform hand hygiene with an alcohol-based agent.
Performing hand hygiene with an alcohol-based agent is crucial in infection control, but C. difficile spores are not effectively eliminated by alcohol-based agents. Soap and water are more effective against C. difficile spores.
C. Obtain stool cultures from all clients on the nursing unit.
Obtaining stool cultures from all clients on the nursing unit might seem logical for diagnosis, but it's resource-intensive and not necessarily practical for all cases, especially if there's a strong suspicion of C. difficile and immediate action (like contact precautions) is required to prevent its spread. Stool cultures take time to yield results, and the priority in suspected cases is often to contain the infection promptly.
D. Place all clients who have manifestations on contact precautions.
Place all clients who have manifestations on contact precautions. C. difficile is highly contagious, and contact precautions help prevent its spread by implementing measures like wearing gloves and gowns when entering the room, as well as proper hand hygiene. This can help contain the potential spread of the infection within the unit while waiting for lab results to confirm the diagnosis.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Fundamentals proctored exam 2. Take the full exam now
Similar Questions
A nurse is preparing to administer intravenous fluids via an infusion pump to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to avoid electrical hazard?
A. Unplug the cord by grasping the plug
Unplugging the cord by grasping the plug can increase the risk of electric shock if not done carefully. It's safer to grasp the plug itself, not the cord, when unplugging.
B. Ensure the plug has three prongs.
Ensure the plug has three prongs. This action is related to proper grounding. The third prong in a plug serves as a grounding prong, which helps prevent electrical hazards by providing a path for excess electrical current to flow safely into the ground.
C. Avoid rolling equipment over extension cords.
Rolling equipment over extension cords can damage the cords and create a risk of electrical shock or fire hazards due to potential wire exposure.
D. Plug in the pump close to sink
Plugging in the pump close to a sink can increase the risk of water exposure to electrical equipment, which is dangerous.
E. Run additional cord under carpeting
A nurse is caring for an older adult client. The client has an increased risk for dehydration due to which of the following physiological changes that can occur with aging?
A. Decrease in systolic blood pressure.
Decrease in systolic blood pressure is incorrect. While blood pressure can change with age, a decrease in systolic blood pressure alone isn't a primary factor contributing to dehydration risk.
B. Increase in saliva production.
Increase in saliva production is incorrect. Aging doesn't typically result in an increase in saliva production. Changes in saliva production are not directly linked to dehydration risk in older adults.
C. increase in percentage of body water.
Increase in the percentage of body water is incorrect. In fact, as people age, there tends to be a decrease in the percentage of body water, not an increase. This decrease in body water contributes to the increased risk of dehydration in older individuals.
D. Decrease in kidney function.
Decrease in kidney function is correct. As people age, kidney function tends to decline gradually. This decrease in kidney function can affect the body's ability to conserve water and concentrate
A nurse collecting data from a client who has dehydration. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Dark-colored urine
Dark-colored urine is correct. This is a common sign of dehydration. When the body lacks adequate hydration, the urine becomes more concentrated, resulting in a darker color.
B. High blood pressure
High blood pressure is incorrect. Dehydration often leads to a decrease in blood volume, which can result in lower blood pressure rather than higher.
C. Distended neck veins
Distended neck veins is incorrect. Dehydration usually causes a decrease in fluid volume in the body, leading to a reduction in vein distension rather than an increase.
D. Moist skin
Moist skin is incorrect. Dehydration commonly causes dry skin due to reduced water content in the body, leading to a lack of moisture rather than increased skin moisture.