A healthcare provider is assessing a patient with dehydration. Which finding indicates the patient's condition is worsening?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Tachycardia and low blood pressure are indicative of worsening dehydration in a patient. Tachycardia is the body's compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output in response to decreased intravascular volume, while low blood pressure reflects inadequate perfusion due to decreased fluid levels. Bradycardia and shallow respirations are not typical findings in worsening dehydration, and clear lung sounds do not directly correlate with the severity of dehydration.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The most critical information to include when providing discharge instructions for a patient with diabetes is teaching them how to monitor their blood sugar levels. This empowers the patient to actively manage their condition, make informed decisions about their diet and medication, and prevent complications. Encouraging a high-carbohydrate diet (Choice A) can be detrimental for diabetic patients as it may lead to unstable blood sugar levels. While regular exercise (Choice C) is important in diabetes management, monitoring blood sugar levels takes precedence. Providing a list of restricted foods (Choice D) is relevant but not as crucial as teaching the patient how to monitor their blood sugar levels.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The most appropriate action when handling hazardous drugs is to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect oneself from exposure to the harmful substances. Gloves and handwashing are important but may not provide sufficient protection from hazardous drugs. Storing drugs correctly and disposing of unused drugs properly are also essential, but the primary focus should be on using PPE to prevent exposure.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: When a client with a history of substance abuse requests pain medication, the nurse should first assess the patient's pain level. It is important to determine the nature and intensity of the pain before administering any medication to ensure appropriate pain management. Administering medication without assessing the pain level can lead to unnecessary drug administration or inadequate pain relief. Administering a placebo would be unethical and ineffective. Refusing to give any medication without proper assessment can compromise the client's comfort and recovery. Therefore, the correct approach is to assess the patient's pain level first before deciding on the most suitable pain management intervention.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: When a healthcare provider notices a discrepancy in the narcotics log, the appropriate response is to report the issue to the supervisor. Reporting discrepancies is crucial to maintain accountability and prevent potential misuse. Choice A is incorrect because simply correcting the log without addressing the underlying issue does not ensure accountability. Choice C is inappropriate as confronting the provider directly may not be the best approach and could lead to a confrontational situation. Choice D is highly inappropriate as ignoring the discrepancy and disposing of medication without proper documentation can lead to serious consequences.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to apply a yellow fall risk bracelet to the patient. This action helps alert staff to the patient's increased risk of falling, prompting them to implement appropriate safety measures and precautions. Placing the call light within reach (choice A) is generally important but does not specifically address fall risk. Assisting the patient when ambulating (choice C) is important but may not be sufficient alone to prevent falls. Ensuring the patient's room is well-lit (choice D) is also crucial for patient safety but does not directly address the patient's fall risk status.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct procedure for applying sterile gloves is to do so before touching any sterile equipment or surfaces. This helps maintain the sterility of the gloves. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they suggest incorrect sequences that may compromise the sterility of the gloves. Using non-sterile gloves first can introduce contamination, putting on gloves before a gown can lead to contamination of the gloves during gowning, and applying gloves after donning a mask can risk contamination of the gloves from the mask.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to discontinue the medication and notify the healthcare provider when a patient is experiencing an allergic reaction to a medication. This action is crucial to prevent further harm to the patient. Monitoring blood pressure (choice A) or urine output (choice D) may be important but is not the priority when managing an allergic reaction. Administering an antihistamine (choice C) should only be done after discontinuing the medication and consulting with the healthcare provider.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: When a task is assigned that is outside the scope of a nursing assistant, it is essential for the assistant to refuse the task and report it to the charge nurse. This ensures that tasks are appropriately delegated, maintaining patient safety and adherence to professional standards. Performing the task without reporting can lead to potential risks for the patient and legal implications. Asking another nurse to perform the task may not address the issue of improper delegation. Accepting the task but documenting it later does not resolve the immediate concern of working within the assistant's scope of practice and seeking appropriate delegation.