Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A preschool-aged child who is experiencing respiratory distress is brought to the emergency department by the parents. The child is anxious, has a temperature of 102.8° F (39.3° C), and is drooling from the mouth while leaning forward when sitting. Which action should the nurse prepare the child for next?
A. Schedule the child for a STAT magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck.
Scheduling the child for a STAT magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck is not a priority action for the nurse. MRI is a diagnostic test that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of the internal structures of the body. MRI of the neck may be useful to rule out other causes of respiratory distress, such as tumors, abscesses, or foreign bodies, but it is not an urgent procedure. Moreover, MRI requires the child to lie still for a long time, which may be difficult or impossible for a child who is anxious and in respiratory distress.
B. Provide a nebulizer treatment with bronchodilators.
Providing a nebulizer treatment with bronchodilators is not a suitable action for the nurse. Nebulizer is a device that delivers medication in the form of a mist that can be inhaled into the lungs. Bronchodilators are medications that relax the smooth muscles of the airways and improve airflow. Nebulizer treatment with bronchodilators may be helpful for children with respiratory distress caused by asthma, bronchiolitis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but not for children with respiratory distress caused by upper airway obstruction, which is the most likely scenario for this child.
C. Obtain bedside trays for intubation or tracheotomy by the healthcare provider.
Obtaining bedside trays for intubation or tracheotomy by the healthcare provider is the most appropriate action for the nurse. Intubation is a procedure that involves inserting a tube through the mouth or nose into the trachea to secure the airway and provide ventilation. Tracheotomy is a surgical procedure that involves creating an opening in the neck and inserting a tube into the trachea to bypass the upper airway obstruction. Both procedures are life-saving interventions for children with respiratory distress caused by upper airway obstruction, which is the most likely scenario for this child. The nurse should prepare the necessary equipment and assist the healthcare provider in performing these procedures.
D. Begin prescribed intravenous antibiotic administration.
Beginning prescribed intravenous antibiotic administration is not a relevant action for the nurse. Antibiotics are medications that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause infections. Antibiotics may be indicated for children with respiratory distress caused by bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, tonsillitis, or epiglottitis, but not for children with respiratory distress caused by non-infectious causes, such as foreign bodies, anaphylaxis, or congenital anomalies. Moreover, antibiotics are not an immediate intervention for respiratory distress, as they take time to exert their effects.
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Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Scheduling the child for a STAT magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck is not a priority action for the nurse. MRI is a diagnostic test that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of the internal structures of the body. MRI of the neck may be useful to rule out other causes of respiratory distress, such as tumors, abscesses, or foreign bodies, but it is not an urgent procedure. Moreover, MRI requires the child to lie still for a long time, which may be difficult or impossible for a child who is anxious and in respiratory distress.
Choice B reason: Providing a nebulizer treatment with bronchodilators is not a suitable action for the nurse. Nebulizer is a device that delivers medication in the form of a mist that can be inhaled into the lungs. Bronchodilators are medications that relax the smooth muscles of the airways and improve airflow. Nebulizer treatment with bronchodilators may be helpful for children with respiratory distress caused by asthma, bronchiolitis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but not for children with respiratory distress caused by upper airway obstruction, which is the most likely scenario for this child.
Choice C reason: Obtaining bedside trays for intubation or tracheotomy by the healthcare provider is the most appropriate action for the nurse. Intubation is a procedure that involves inserting a tube through the mouth or nose into the trachea to secure the airway and provide ventilation. Tracheotomy is a surgical procedure that involves creating an opening in the neck and inserting a tube into the trachea to bypass the upper airway obstruction. Both procedures are life-saving interventions for children with respiratory distress caused by upper airway obstruction, which is the most likely scenario for this child. The nurse should prepare the necessary equipment and assist the healthcare provider in performing these procedures.
Choice D reason: Beginning prescribed intravenous antibiotic administration is not a relevant action for the nurse. Antibiotics are medications that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause infections. Antibiotics may be indicated for children with respiratory distress caused by bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, tonsillitis, or epiglottitis, but not for children with respiratory distress caused by non-infectious causes, such as foreign bodies, anaphylaxis, or congenital anomalies. Moreover, antibiotics are not an immediate intervention for respiratory distress, as they take time to exert their effects.
Similar Questions
A client who is newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) receives a prescription for metformin 500 mg PO twice daily. Which statement(s) should the nurse include in this client’s teaching plan? (Select all that apply.)
A. Take metformin with the morning and evening meal.
A: Taking metformin with the morning and evening meal is a correct statement for the nurse to include, as this can improve the absorption and effectiveness of metformin and reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Therefore, this is a correct choice.
B. Use sliding scale insulin for frequent blood glucose elevations.
B: Using sliding scale insulin for frequent blood glucose elevations is not a correct statement for the nurse to include, as this is not recommended for clients with type 2 DM who are taking metformin. This can cause hypoglycemia and complicate the management of blood glucose levels. This is an incorrect choice.
C. Recognize signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.
C: Recognizing signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia is a correct statement for the nurse to include, as this can help the client identify and treat low blood glucose levels, which can occur with metformin use or other factors such as exercise, fasting, or alcohol intake. Therefore, this is another correct choice.
D. Report persistent polyuria to the health care provider.
D: Reporting persistent polyuria to the health care provider is a correct statement for the nurse to include, as this can indicate poor glycemic control or a complication of DM such as diabetic ketoacidosis or nephropathy. Therefore, this is another correct choice.
E. Take an additional dose for signs of hyperglycemia.
E: Taking an additional dose for signs of hyperglycemia is not a correct statement for the nurse to include, as this can cause overdose or toxicity of metformin, which can lead to lactic acidosis and renal failure. This is another incorrect choice.
Full Explanation
Choice A: Taking metformin with the morning and evening meal is a correct statement for the nurse to include, as this can improve the absorption and effectiveness of metformin and reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Therefore, this is a correct choice.
Choice B: Using sliding scale insulin for frequent blood glucose elevations is not a correct statement for the nurse to include, as this is not recommended for clients with type 2 DM who are taking metformin. This can cause hypoglycemia and complicate the management of blood glucose levels. This is an incorrect choice.
Choice C: Recognizing signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia is a correct statement for the nurse to include, as this can help the client identify and treat low blood glucose levels, which can occur with metformin use or other factors such as exercise, fasting, or alcohol intake. Therefore, this is another correct choice.
Choice D: Reporting persistent polyuria to the health care provider is a correct statement for the nurse to include, as this can indicate poor glycemic control or a complication of DM such as diabetic ketoacidosis or nephropathy. Therefore, this is another correct choice.
Choice E: Taking an additional dose for signs of hyperglycemia is not a correct statement for the nurse to include, as this can cause overdose or toxicity of metformin, which can lead to lactic acidosis and renal failure. This is another incorrect choice.
The nurse is providing education to a client who experiences recurrent levels of moderate anxiety to situations and perceived stress. In addition to information about prescribed medication and administration, which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Center attention on positive upbeat music.
A: Centering attention on positive upbeat music is not a specific instruction for the nurse to include, as this is a general coping strategy that may or may not be helpful for this client. This is a distractor choice.
B. Find outlets for more social interaction.
B: Finding outlets for more social interaction is not a relevant instruction for the nurse to include, as this may not address the underlying causes of anxiety or stress for this client. This is another distractor choice.
C. Practice using muscle relaxation techniques.
C: Practicing using muscle relaxation techniques is an appropriate instruction for the nurse to include, as this can help reduce physical tension and promote calmness and relaxation for this client. Therefore, this is the correct choice.
D. Think about reasons the episodes occur.
D: Thinking about reasons the episodes occur is not a helpful instruction for the nurse to include, as this can increase rumination and anxiety for this client. This is another distractor choice.
Full Explanation
Choice A: Centering attention on positive upbeat music is not a specific instruction for the nurse to include, as this is a general coping strategy that may or may not be helpful for this client. This is a distractor choice.
Choice B: Finding outlets for more social interaction is not a relevant instruction for the nurse to include, as this may not address the underlying causes of anxiety or stress for this client. This is another distractor choice.
Choice C: Practicing using muscle relaxation techniques is an appropriate instruction for the nurse to include, as this can help reduce physical tension and promote calmness and relaxation for this client. Therefore, this is the correct choice.
Choice D: Thinking about reasons the episodes occur is not a helpful instruction for the nurse to include, as this can increase rumination and anxiety for this client. This is another distractor choice.
A client with influenza needs help in transferring to the bedside commode. The nurse observes the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) donning gloves and a gown to assist the client. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Review the need for the UAP to wear a face mask while in close contact with the client.
Choice A reason: Review the need for the UAP to wear a face mask while in close contact with the client. Influenza is a respiratory virus that spreads mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. A face mask can help block the spread of these droplets.
B. Remind the UAP to apply a fitted respirator mask before entering the client’s room.
Choice B reason: Reminding the UAP to apply a fitted respirator mask before entering the client’s room is not necessary for standard influenza precautions. Respirator masks are more commonly used for airborne precautions, such as tuberculosis or measles, not for influenza.
C. Assign the UAP to provide care for another client and assume full care of the client.
Choice C reason: Assigning the UAP to provide care for another client and assuming full care of the client is not indicated unless the UAP is not following proper infection control procedures. There is no evidence of that in the scenario provided.
D. Instruct the UAP to notify the nurse of any changes in the client’s respiratory status.
Choice D reason: Instructing the UAP to notify the nurse of any changes in the client’s respiratory status is important, but it is not the immediate action related to infection control. The priority is to prevent the spread of infection.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is A:
Choice A reason: Review the need for the UAP to wear a face mask while in close contact with the client. Influenza is a respiratory virus that spreads mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. A face mask can help block the spread of these droplets.
Choice B reason: Reminding the UAP to apply a fitted respirator mask before entering the client’s room is not necessary for standard influenza precautions. Respirator masks are more commonly used for airborne precautions, such as tuberculosis or measles, not for influenza.
Choice C reason: Assigning the UAP to provide care for another client and assuming full care of the client is not indicated unless the UAP is not following proper infection control procedures. There is no evidence of that in the scenario provided.
Choice D reason: Instructing the UAP to notify the nurse of any changes in the client’s respiratory status is important, but it is not the immediate action related to infection control. The priority is to prevent the spread of infection.