Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
nurse is caring for an adult client who has chronic anaemia and is scheduled to receive a transfusion of 1 unit of packed RBCs. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Set the IV infusion pump to administer the blood over 6 hr.
Setting the IV infusion pump to administer the blood over 6 hours is not the recommended rate for administering packed RBCs. Blood transfusions are typically given more rapidly, usually within 2 to 4 hours. The specific rate may vary depending on the client's condition and the provider's order.
B. Administer the blood via a 21-gauge IV needle.
Administering the blood via a 21-gauge IV needle is not typically related to the administration of the packed RBCs. The appropriate gauge of the IV needle for blood transfusions depends on the client's condition and the type of transfusion. Larger-gauge needles are often used for blood transfusions to allow for a faster flow rate and prevent haemolysis of the blood cells.
C. Check the client's vital signs from the previous shift prior to the initiation of the transfusion
Checking the client's vital signs from the previous shift prior to the initiation of the transfusion is not sufficient for ensuring the client's safety during the blood transfusion. The nurse should assess the client's current vital signs, including temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, before initiating the transfusion. Monitoring vital signs is essential during the transfusion to detect any adverse reactions or changes in the client's condition.
D. Rush the blood administration tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride prior to the transfusion
Rush the blood administration tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride prior to the transfusion is the correct answer. When preparing to administer a blood transfusion to an adult client with chronic anaemia, the nurse should rush the blood administration tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) prior to the transfusion. This process is called priming the tubing. Priming the tubing helps remove any residual air from the tubing and ensures that the blood transfusion is administered smoothly without introducing air into the client's bloodstream. Air embolisms can be a serious complication, and priming the tubing with normal saline helps prevent this risk.
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
Choice A reason
Setting the IV infusion pump to administer the blood over 6 hours is not the recommended rate for administering packed RBCs. Blood transfusions are typically given more rapidly, usually within 2 to 4 hours. The specific rate may vary depending on the client's condition and the provider's order.
Choice B reason
Administering the blood via a 21-gauge IV needle is not typically related to the administration of the packed RBCs. The appropriate gauge of the IV needle for blood transfusions depends on the client's condition and the type of transfusion. Larger-gauge needles are often used for blood transfusions to allow for a faster flow rate and prevent haemolysis of the blood cells.
Choice C reason
Checking the client's vital signs from the previous shift prior to the initiation of the transfusion is not sufficient for ensuring the client's safety during the blood transfusion. The nurse should assess the client's current vital signs, including temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, before initiating the transfusion. Monitoring vital signs is essential during the transfusion to detect any adverse reactions or changes in the client's condition.
Choice D reason
Rush the blood administration tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride prior to the transfusion is the correct answer. When preparing to administer a blood transfusion to an adult client with chronic anaemia, the nurse should rush the blood administration tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) prior to the transfusion. This process is called priming the tubing.
Priming the tubing helps remove any residual air from the tubing and ensures that the blood transfusion is administered smoothly without introducing air into the client's bloodstream. Air embolisms can be a serious complication, and priming the tubing with normal saline helps prevent this risk.
Similar Questions
A nurse is assessing the fontanels of an 8-month-old infant. Which of the following findings should the nurse recognize as an expected finding
A. The anterior fontanel is open.
The anterior fontanel is open is the correct answer. An expected finding in an 8-month-old infant is that the anterior fontanel (the soft spot on the top of the baby's head) is open. The fontanelles are spaces between the bones of an infant's skull that allow for the baby's brain to grow and the skull to mould during birth. The anterior fontanel typically remains open until the baby is around 18 to 24 months old, with the closure process starting sometime after 9 months of age. Therefore, at 8 months of age, it is normal for the anterior fontanel to still be open.
B. Both fontanels are the same size.
Both fontanels are the same size is incorrect. Both fontanels are usually not the same size. The anterior fontanel is larger and diamond-shaped, while the posterior fontanel is smaller and triangular.
C. The posterior fontanel is open.
The posterior fontanel is open is incorrect. The posterior fontanel, located at the back of the baby's head, usually closes earlier than the anterior fontanel. It typically closes within the first few months after birth, so it is not expected to be open at 8 months of age.
D. Both fontanels show moulding
Both fontanels show molding is incorrect. Molding refers to the temporary shaping of the baby's head during birth due to the pressure exerted during the passage through the birth canal. By 8 months of age, the molding typically resolves, and the baby's head should have a more rounded appearance.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason
The anterior fontanel is open is the correct answer. An expected finding in an 8-month-old infant is that the anterior fontanel (the soft spot on the top of the baby's head) is open. The fontanelles are spaces between the bones of an infant's skull that allow for the baby's brain to grow and the skull to mould during birth.
The anterior fontanel typically remains open until the baby is around 18 to 24 months old, with the closure process starting sometime after 9 months of age. Therefore, at 8 months of age, it is normal for the anterior fontanel to still be open.
Choice B reason:
Both fontanels are the same size is incorrect. Both fontanels are usually not the same size. The anterior fontanel is larger and diamond-shaped, while the posterior fontanel is smaller and triangular.
Choice C reason:
The posterior fontanel is open is incorrect. The posterior fontanel, located at the back of the baby's head, usually closes earlier than the anterior fontanel. It typically closes within the first few months after birth, so it is not expected to be open at 8 months of age.
Choice D reason
Both fontanels show molding is incorrect. Molding refers to the temporary shaping of the baby's head during birth due to the pressure exerted during the passage through the birth canal. By 8 months of age, the molding typically resolves, and the baby's head should have a more rounded appearance.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of schizophrenia and a prescription for an antipsychotic medication. The nurse should recognize that which of the following indicates an adverse effect that must be reported to the provider?
A. The client is observed displaying a shuffling gait while walking in the hall.
The client is observed displaying a shuffling gait while walking in the hall is the correct answer. The nurse should recognize that observing a shuffling gait in a client who is taking antipsychotic medication is an adverse effect that must be reported to the healthcare provider. A shuffling gait is a movement disorder known as parkinsonism, which can be a side effect of some antipsychotic medications, particularly first-generation or typical antipsychotics. Parkinsonism includes symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease, such as a shuffling walk, muscle stiffness, tremors, and difficulty with balance and coordination. It can occur as a result of blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, leading to an imbalance in dopamine levels.
B. The client is observed mumbling quietly while alone in the day room.
The client mumbling quietly while alone is not correct because in the day room may be related to the symptoms of schizophrenia, and it does not indicate an adverse effect of the antipsychotic medication.
C. The client states, "I feel light-headed when I stand up quickly."
The client feeling light-headed when standing up quickly is not correct and it may be related to postural hypotension, which can be a side effect of some antipsychotic medications. While it should be monitored and reported if persistent or severe, it is not as urgent as reporting a shuffling gait.
D. The client states. "Being in the sun seems to really hurt my eyes
The client stating that being in the sun hurts their eyes does not necessarily indicate an adverse effect of the antipsychotic medication. It may be related to other factors or unrelated to the medication.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason
The client is observed displaying a shuffling gait while walking in the hall is the correct answer. The nurse should recognize that observing a shuffling gait in a client who is taking antipsychotic medication is an adverse effect that must be reported to the healthcare provider. A shuffling gait is a movement disorder known as parkinsonism, which can be a side effect of some antipsychotic medications, particularly first-generation or typical antipsychotics.
Parkinsonism includes symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease, such as a shuffling walk, muscle stiffness, tremors, and difficulty with balance and coordination. It can occur as a result of blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, leading to an imbalance in dopamine levels.
Choice B reason:
The client mumbling quietly while alone is not correct because in the day room may be related to the symptoms of schizophrenia, and it does not indicate an adverse effect of the antipsychotic medication.
Choice C reason:
The client feeling light-headed when standing up quickly is not correct and it may be related to postural hypotension, which can be a side effect of some antipsychotic medications. While it should be monitored and reported if persistent or severe, it is not as urgent as reporting a shuffling gait.
Choice D reason:
The client stating that being in the sun hurts their eyes does not necessarily indicate an adverse effect of the antipsychotic medication. It may be related to other factors or unrelated to the medication.
A nurse is providing information for a client who has a new prescription for simvastatin. For which of the following should the nurse instruct the client to monitor and report to the provider?
A. Weight loss
Weight loss is not the correct answer: Weight loss is not a common side effect of simvastatin. In fact, weight loss is generally not associated with statin use. If the client experiences significant, unintentional weight loss, it may indicate another underlying issue that should be reported to the provider.
B. Muscle weaknesss
Muscle weakness is the correct answer. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor and report any muscle weakness to the healthcare provider when taking simvastatin. Simvastatin is a statin medication used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. While statins are generally well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause muscle-related side effects, including muscle weakness or pain. Rhabdomyolysis, a severe condition characterized by the breakdown of muscle fibres, is a rare but serious side effect of statin use. Muscle weakness may be an early sign of this condition. Therefore, if the client experiences any unexplained or persistent muscle weakness while taking simvastatin, it should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately.
C. Fever
Fever is not the correct answer: Fever is not a common side effect of simvastatin. If the client develops a fever while taking simvastatin, it is more likely to be related to another condition and should be reported to the provider for further evaluation.
D. Edema
Edema is the correct answer: Edema (swelling) is not a common side effect of simvastatin. If the client experiences significant edema, especially in the extremities, it may indicate another underlying issue that should be reported to the provider.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason
Weight loss is not the correct answer: Weight loss is not a common side effect of simvastatin. In fact, weight loss is generally not associated with statin use. If the client experiences significant, unintentional weight loss, it may indicate another underlying issue that should be reported to the provider.
Choice B reason:
Muscle weakness is the correct answer. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor and report any muscle weakness to the healthcare provider when taking simvastatin. Simvastatin is a statin medication used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. While statins are generally well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause muscle-related side effects, including muscle weakness or pain.
Rhabdomyolysis, a severe condition characterized by the breakdown of muscle fibres, is a rare but serious side effect of statin use. Muscle weakness may be an early sign of this condition. Therefore, if the client experiences any unexplained or persistent muscle weakness while taking simvastatin, it should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately.
Choice C reason
Fever is not the correct answer: Fever is not a common side effect of simvastatin. If the client develops a fever while taking simvastatin, it is more likely to be related to another condition and should be reported to the provider for further evaluation.
Choice D reason:
Edema is the correct answer: Edema (swelling) is not a common side effect of simvastatin. If the client experiences significant edema, especially in the extremities, it may indicate another underlying issue that should be reported to the provider.