Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
The practical nurse (PN) and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) enter a client's room and find the client lying on the bed. The PN determines that the client is unresponsive. Which instruction should the PN give the UAP first?
A. Bring a glucometer to the room.
The PN should not prioritize bringing a glucometer to the room in this situation. The client's unresponsiveness indicates a potential medical emergency that requires immediate action, and checking blood glucose levels is not the primary concern at this moment.
B. Obtain emergency help.
Obtain emergency help.
C. Feel for a carotid pulse.
Feeling for a carotid pulse is an essential step in assessing the client's circulation. However, it is not the first priority when the client is unresponsive. The PN should focus on obtaining emergency help first to ensure timely intervention.
D. Check the blood pressure.
Checking the blood pressure can provide valuable information about the client's condition, but it is not the most critical step when dealing with an unresponsive client. Promptly seeking emergency assistance is more important to address the immediate concern.
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Full Explanation
The PN should not prioritize bringing a glucometer to the room in this situation. The client's unresponsiveness indicates a potential medical emergency that requires immediate action, and checking blood glucose levels is not the primary concern at this moment.
Choice C rationale:
Feeling for a carotid pulse is an essential step in assessing the client's circulation. However, it is not the first priority when the client is unresponsive. The PN should focus on obtaining emergency help first to ensure timely intervention.
Choice D rationale:
Checking the blood pressure can provide valuable information about the client's condition, but it is not the most critical step when dealing with an unresponsive client. Promptly seeking emergency assistance is more important to address the immediate concern.
Similar Questions
An older client is admitted to an acute care facility with the diagnosis of left lower lobe pneumonia. How should the practical nurse (PN) position the client for auscultation of posterior lung fields?
A. Lateral, semi-prone.
Lateral, semi-prone.
B. Semi-Fowler's.
The semi-Fowler's position involves elevating the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees, which is useful for clients with respiratory issues to promote lung expansion. However, for auscultation of the posterior lung fields in a client with left lower lobe pneumonia, the lateral, semi-prone position is more appropriate as it allows better access to the specific area of concern.
C. Right side-lying.
Placing the client on the right side-lying position may not be as effective for auscultating the left lower lobe, as the target area is located on the opposite side. The lateral, semi-prone position offers better access to the left lower lobe for assessment.
D. Forward orthopneic.
The forward orthopneic position is a sitting position with the arms supported on a table or over the bed. While this position can assist clients with breathing difficulties, it is not suitable for auscultation of the posterior lung fields. The lateral, semi-prone position is moreappropriate for this purpose.
Full Explanation
Choice B rationale:
The semi-Fowler's position involves elevating the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees, which is useful for clients with respiratory issues to promote lung expansion. However, for auscultation of the posterior lung fields in a client with left lower lobe pneumonia, the lateral, semi-prone position is more appropriate as it allows better access to the specific area of concern.
Choice C rationale:
Placing the client on the right side-lying position may not be as effective for auscultating the left lower lobe, as the target area is located on the opposite side. The lateral, semi-prone position offers better access to the left lower lobe for assessment.
Choice D rationale:
The forward orthopneic position is a sitting position with the arms supported on a table or over the bed. While this position can assist clients with breathing difficulties, it is not suitable for auscultation of the posterior lung fields. The lateral, semi-prone position is more appropriate for this purpose.
The practical nurse (PN) learns that a client who is receiving chemotherapy has developed stomatitis. Which information should the PN obtain from the client during a focused assessment?
A. Urinary output.
Urinary output is not directly related to stomatitis, which is inflammation of the mouth and throat. While monitoring urinary output is important in many situations, it is not relevant in this case.
B. Blood pressure while standing.
Blood pressure while standing is not directly related to stomatitis either. This assessment is more relevant for conditions such as orthostatic hypotension, which can cause a drop in blood pressure upon standing.
C. Ability to swallow.
Ability to swallow is crucial in the context of stomatitis. Stomatitis can cause painful sores in the mouth, making it difficult for the client to eat or drink. Assessing the client's ability to swallow will help determine the impact of stomatitis on their nutritional intake and overall well-being.
D. Frequency of bowel movements.
Frequency of bowel movements is unrelated to stomatitis. This assessment is more relevant for gastrointestinal issues or constipation, not for a condition affecting the mouth and throat.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Urinary output is not directly related to stomatitis, which is inflammation of the mouth and throat. While monitoring urinary output is important in many situations, it is not relevant in this case.
Choice B rationale:
Blood pressure while standing is not directly related to stomatitis either. This assessment is more relevant for conditions such as orthostatic hypotension, which can cause a drop in blood pressure upon standing.
Choice C rationale:
Ability to swallow is crucial in the context of stomatitis. Stomatitis can cause painful sores in the mouth, making it difficult for the client to eat or drink. Assessing the client's ability to swallow will help determine the impact of stomatitis on their nutritional intake and overall well-being.
Choice D rationale:
Frequency of bowel movements is unrelated to stomatitis. This assessment is more relevant for gastrointestinal issues or constipation, not for a condition affecting the mouth and throat.
A client who had knee replacement surgery receives a prescription for enoxaparin 30 mg subcutaneously every 12 hours for 10 days. The medication is available in 30 mg per 0.3 mL prefilled syringes. How many mL should the practical nurse (PN) administer each day? (Enter numerical value only.).
Full Explanation
Step 1: The medication is prescribed as 30 mg every 12 hours, which means it is given twice a day. So, the total daily dosage in mg is 30 mg × 2 = 60 mg.
Step 2: The medication is available in 30 mg per 0.3 mL. So, to find out how many mL correspond to 60 mg, we set up a proportion: (30 mg / 0.3 mL) = (60 mg / x mL). Solving for x gives x = (0.3 mL / 30 mg) × 60 mg = 0.6 mL.
Therefore, the practical nurse should administer 0.6 mL of the medication each day.