Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
The nurse is assigned to provide care for a client who is scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in two hours, at 0900. What nursing action is most important?
A. Determine when the client last had pain medication.
B. Offer to assist the client to the restroom to void.
C. Review postoperative instructions with the client.
D. Confirm that the client has been NPO since midnight.
NPO status is crucial before a surgical procedure, especially when anesthesia will be administered. It helps prevent complications related to aspiration of gastric contents during the procedure. Failure to adhere to the NPO status can lead to serious respiratory problems, such as aspiration pneumonia. It is important for the nurse to confirm the NPO status with the client to ensure that they have followed the appropriate fasting guidelines. This should be done to ensure the client's safety during the surgery. While determining when the client last had pain medication, offering assistance to the restroom, and reviewing postoperative instructions are important aspects of preoperative care, confirming NPO status is the most critical nursing action in this particular scenario.
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Full Explanation
NPO status is crucial before a surgical procedure, especially when anesthesia will be administered. It helps prevent complications related to aspiration of gastric contents during the procedure. Failure to adhere to the NPO status can lead to serious respiratory problems, such as aspiration pneumonia.
It is important for the nurse to confirm the NPO status with the client to ensure that they have followed the appropriate fasting guidelines. This should be done to ensure the client's safety during the surgery.
While determining when the client last had pain medication, offering assistance to the restroom, and reviewing postoperative instructions are important aspects of preoperative care, confirming NPO status is the most critical nursing action in this particular scenario.
Similar Questions
A female client is admitted with complaints of abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and a weight loss of 25 pounds (11 kg) in the last four months. During the admission assessment, the client tells the nurse that she has no interest in playing cards with her friends anymore and feels worthless most days. Which nursing problem should the nurse address first?
A. Anxiety as evidenced by abdominal complaints secondary to depression.
B. Imbalanced nutrition as evidenced by 25 pound (11 kg) weight loss in four months.
C. Chronic low self-esteem as evidenced by feelings of worthlessness.
D. Risk for self-directed violence as evidenced by feelings of hopelessness.
The client's statement of feeling worthless most days and having no interest in activities she previously enjoyed indicates a potential risk for self-directed violence, including self-harm or suicidal ideation. These signs are significant and require immediate attention and intervention by the nurse. Assessing and addressing the client's risk for self-directed violence is of utmost importance to ensure her safety and well-being. The nurse should initiate a thorough assessment of the client's mental health, including assessing for any suicidal ideation, intent, or plans. It is crucial to establish a supportive and non-judgmental environment for the client to express her feelings and concerns. The nurse should collaborate with the healthcare team to develop an appropriate care plan that may involve interventions such as close observation, involving a mental health professional, implementing safety measures, and providing emotional support. While addressing other nursing problems, such as anxiety, imbalanced nutrition, and chronic low self-esteem, is important, the immediate concern is the client's risk for self-directed violence due to her feelings of hopelessness.
Full Explanation
The client's statement of feeling worthless most days and having no interest in activities she previously enjoyed indicates a potential risk for self-directed violence, including self-harm or suicidal ideation. These signs are significant and require immediate attention and intervention by the nurse.
Assessing and addressing the client's risk for self-directed violence is of utmost importance to ensure her safety and well-being. The nurse should initiate a thorough assessment of the client's mental health, including assessing for any suicidal ideation, intent, or plans. It is crucial to establish a supportive and non-judgmental environment for the client to express her feelings and concerns.
The nurse should collaborate with the healthcare team to develop an appropriate care plan that may involve interventions such as close observation, involving a mental health professional, implementing safety measures, and providing emotional support.
While addressing other nursing problems, such as anxiety, imbalanced nutrition, and chronic low self-esteem, is important, the immediate concern is the client's risk for self-directed violence due to her feelings of hopelessness.
The nurse is developing a plan of care for a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). When providing teaching on lowering blood glucose levels and increasing serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Limit calories on days unable to exercise.
Limiting calories on days unable to exercise is a valid strategy for managing weight and blood glucose levels; however, it is not specifically related to increasing HDL levels. It is important to maintain a balanced and healthy diet overall.
B. Monitor blood glucose levels daily.
Monitoring blood glucose levels daily is an important self-care practice for individuals with diabetes, but it is not specifically focused on increasing HDL levels. Blood glucose monitoring helps to assess the effectiveness of diabetes management and make necessary adjustments to medication, diet, or exercise.
C. Regular exercise with medical approval.
Regular exercise is a vital component of managing type 2 diabetes. It helps to lower blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and increase HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels. However, it is important for the client to obtain medical approval before starting or modifying an exercise regimen. The healthcare provider can assess the client's overall health status and provide specific recommendations regarding the type, duration, and intensity of exercise suitable for the client's individual needs and any potential limitations.
D. Monthly appointments with the dietitian.
Monthly appointments with the dietitian can be beneficial for diabetes management, as dietary modifications play a significant role. However, the instruction regarding exercise is more directly related to increasing HDL levels, and the frequency of appointments with the dietitian may vary based on individual needs and goals.
Full Explanation
Regular exercise is a vital component of managing type 2 diabetes. It helps to lower blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and increase HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels. However, it is important for the client to obtain medical approval before starting or modifying an exercise regimen. The healthcare provider can assess the client's overall health status and provide specific recommendations regarding the type, duration, and intensity of exercise suitable for the client's individual needs and any potential limitations.
Limiting calories on days unable to exercise is a valid strategy for managing weight and blood glucose levels; however, it is not specifically related to increasing HDL levels. It is important to maintain a balanced and healthy diet overall.
Monitoring blood glucose levels daily is an important self-care practice for individuals with diabetes, but it is not specifically focused on increasing HDL levels. Blood glucose monitoring helps to assess the effectiveness of diabetes management and make necessary adjustments to medication, diet, or exercise.
Monthly appointments with the dietitian can be beneficial for diabetes management, as dietary modifications play a significant role. However, the instruction regarding exercise is more directly related to increasing HDL levels, and the frequency of appointments with the dietitian may vary based on individual needs and goals.
Which instruction regarding skin care should the nurse provide to a client who is receiving radiation therapy for metastatic breast cancer?
A. Protect the site from getting wet during bathing.
Protect the site from getting wet during bathing. While it is important to avoid prolonged soaking, gentle rinsing with water is usually allowed. Complete avoidance of water is not typically necessary. Gentle bathing is important for hygiene.
B. Gently pat the skin dry after rinsing with water.
Gently patting the skin dry after rinsing with water is a good practice as it helps to minimize friction and irritation to the sensitive skin. Rubbing or scrubbing the skin should be avoided.
C. Frequently apply moisturizers to prevent dry skin.
Applying moisturizers to prevent dry skin can be beneficial for overall skin health, but it is important to consult with the healthcare team and follow specific instructions regarding the use of moisturizers during radiation therapy. Certain types of moisturizers or creams may interfere with the radiation treatment or cause skin irritation. Frequent application is not always necessary. Over-hydration can soften the skin and increase vulnerability.
D. Use a sponge to debride the affected area.
Using a sponge to debride the affected area is not recommended during radiation therapy. The skin in the radiation treatment field is already sensitive and prone to damage, and using a sponge for debridement can further traumatize the skin. It is important to avoid any abrasive or rough handling of the treated skin.
Full Explanation
A. Protect the site from getting wet during bathing. While it is important to avoid prolonged soaking, gentle rinsing with water is usually allowed. Complete avoidance of water is not typically necessary. Gentle bathing is important for hygiene.
B. Gently patting the skin dry after rinsing with water is a good practice as it helps to minimize friction and irritation to the sensitive skin. Rubbing or scrubbing the skin should be avoided.
C. Applying moisturizers to prevent dry skin can be beneficial for overall skin health, but it is important to consult with the healthcare team and follow specific instructions regarding the use of moisturizers during radiation therapy. Certain types of moisturizers or creams may interfere with the radiation treatment or cause skin irritation. Frequent application is not always necessary. Over-hydration can soften the skin and increase vulnerability.
D. Using a sponge to debride the affected area is not recommended during radiation therapy. The skin in the radiation treatment field is already sensitive and prone to damage, and using a sponge for debridement can further traumatize the skin. It is important to avoid any abrasive or rough handling of the treated skin.