A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative following a total knee replacement. The nurse should prioritize which of the following interventions?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Encouraging early ambulation. This is a priority intervention because early ambulation helps prevent complications such as blood clots and respiratory issues. It also promotes circulation and aids in the recovery process. Administering pain medication (B) is important but not the top priority. Providing wound care and dressing changes (C) is necessary but can be done after ensuring the patient's mobility. Monitoring for signs of infection (D) is also crucial, but promoting early ambulation takes precedence in this scenario to prevent complications.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer epinephrine. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis as it quickly reverses severe allergic reactions. It works by constricting blood vessels, relaxing airway muscles, and increasing heart rate. These actions help to counteract the potentially life-threatening symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as difficulty breathing and a drop in blood pressure. Applying antihistamines (B) may help with mild allergic reactions but are not sufficient for anaphylaxis. Administering morphine (C) or pain relief (D) is not appropriate initially as they do not address the immediate life-threatening nature of anaphylaxis.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer IV fluids. Dehydration and hypotension indicate fluid loss, which can lead to organ damage and shock. Administering IV fluids helps restore blood volume and improve blood pressure. Monitoring blood pressure (B) is important but addressing the underlying issue of fluid loss is crucial. Administering antihypertensive medications (C) would further lower blood pressure, worsening hypotension. Administering diuretics (D) would exacerbate fluid loss, worsening dehydration and hypotension.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypertrophic scar. This type of scar is raised, red, and irregular, but it does not extend beyond the boundaries of the original wound like a keloid. A keloid is characterized by excessive scar tissue that grows beyond the wound site. Contracture is a scar that causes tightening of the skin and may restrict movement. Stretch marks, on the other hand, are not raised or irregular like the described scar.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer oxygen. In respiratory distress, the priority is to ensure adequate oxygenation. Oxygen therapy helps improve oxygen levels in the blood and relieve respiratory distress. Administering diuretics (B) may not address the immediate need for oxygen. Increasing respiratory rate (C) may lead to worsening distress if the underlying cause is not addressed. Administering IV fluids (D) is not the priority unless specifically indicated for the client's condition. It is crucial to prioritize oxygen delivery to support vital functions and stabilize the client's condition.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Respect and compassion are essential in end-of-life care to support patients emotionally. Step 2: Nurses need to show empathy and understanding towards patients and their families. Step 3: Providing comfort and dignity in the final stages of life is crucial. Step 4: Assessing and intervening (Choice B) is important but not the primary competency in end-of-life care. Step 5: Setting goals and dynamic changes to care (Choice C) may be relevant but not as fundamental as respect and compassion. Step 6: Keeping sad news away (Choice D) goes against transparency and trust-building in end-of-life care.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer anticoagulants. This is crucial for preventing blood clots post-surgery as they help thin the blood and reduce clot formation. Monitoring for arrhythmias (B) is important but not the priority in this case. While encouraging deep breathing (C) and fluid intake (D) are beneficial for post-surgical recovery, they do not directly address the risk of blood clot formation. Administering anticoagulants is the most effective intervention to prevent blood clots in high-risk surgical patients.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Use a numeric pain scale. This method allows for quantitative assessment of pain intensity, aiding in accurate pain management. It is widely used in healthcare settings, providing a standardized way to communicate and monitor pain levels. Visual analog scale (B) is subjective and less precise than numeric scales. Facial expression scale (C) may be influenced by cultural factors and is subjective. Observing for signs of depression (D) is important but not specific to assessing pain intensity.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step 1: Administering IV antibiotics is important for treating infections, but in this case, the focus is on addressing the pain associated with the deep wound infection. Step 2: Administering pain relief helps improve the client's comfort and quality of life while the infection is being treated. Step 3: Changing the dressing is essential for wound care but does not directly address the client's pain from the infection. Step 4: Performing a CT scan may be necessary to assess the extent of the infection, but it does not directly provide immediate relief for the client's pain. Summary: Administering pain relief is the most appropriate intervention as it directly addresses the client's symptoms and improves their comfort level during the treatment of the deep wound infection.