A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of heart failure. The nurse should prioritize which of the following interventions?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administering diuretics to manage fluid retention. In heart failure, fluid overload can worsen symptoms and lead to complications. Diuretics help reduce excess fluid in the body, relieving strain on the heart. This intervention helps improve cardiac function and alleviate symptoms. Choice B (Encouraging increased physical activity) may be beneficial in some cases, but in heart failure, excessive physical activity can strain the heart further. Choice C (Providing a low-sodium diet) is important in managing heart failure, but diuretics would be more critical initially to address immediate fluid retention. Choice D (Encouraging high-potassium foods) is important for overall health but not the priority in managing heart failure.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "Are you able to dress yourself?" This question is the most important because it directly assesses the patient's functional abilities post-stroke, providing crucial information about their independence and self-care abilities. It helps determine the patient's level of disability and need for assistance with activities of daily living. Choice A: "Do you wear glasses?" is not as important in this context as it does not directly address the patient's functional status post-stroke. Choice C: "Do you have any thyroid problems?" is irrelevant to the functional assessment of a patient post-stroke. Choice D: "How many times a day do you have a bowel movement?" is not as critical as assessing the patient's ability to perform basic activities of daily living.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because building trust with patients is crucial for effective communication and promoting patient cooperation. Trust takes time to develop and is essential in gaining accurate information about a patient's health. Patients may not disclose all information if they do not trust the nurse. Choice A is incorrect because patients may withhold information for various reasons. Choice C is incorrect as not all patients seeking care may fully understand the Canadian health care system. Choice D is incorrect because not all patients may recognize the importance of answering all questions, especially if they are uncomfortable or lack trust in the healthcare provider.

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: Administer pain relief. This is the priority nursing action for a client with an electrical burn because pain management is crucial in providing comfort and reducing distress. Pain relief helps the client to relax, promotes healing, and aids in overall recovery. Administering pain relief should be the first step to ensure the client's well-being. Summary: - B: Administering oxygen may be necessary for respiratory support in some cases but is not the priority over pain relief. - C: Applying sterile dressings is important for wound care but should come after addressing pain. - D: Administering beta blockers is not indicated as the priority action for an electrical burn.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Provide a source of fast-acting carbohydrate. This is because in hypoglycemia, the patient's blood sugar levels are low and need to be raised quickly to avoid serious complications like seizures or loss of consciousness. Fast-acting carbohydrates, such as glucose tablets or juice, can rapidly increase blood sugar levels. Administering insulin (choice A) would further lower blood sugar levels, monitoring without intervention (choice C) could lead to worsening symptoms, and administering an oral hypoglycemic agent (choice D) may not act quickly enough to raise blood sugar levels in an emergency situation.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Provide IV fluids. The first step in caring for a client with severe burn injuries is to ensure adequate hydration and prevent hypovolemic shock. IV fluids are crucial to replace lost fluids and maintain circulation. Cooling the burn site (choice A) may be important but not the first step. Providing pain relief (choice C) is important but not as critical initially. Initiating IV fluids (choice D) is similar to the correct answer, but providing IV fluids is more urgent than initiating them.

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: The correct answer is B: Place the client in a supine position. This is the first step when administering Heparin to prevent bleeding or bruising at the injection site. Placing the client in a supine position helps reduce the risk of injury and promotes optimal absorption. Administering antipyretics (Choice A) is not the first step in administering Heparin. Administering insulin (Choice C) is unrelated to Heparin administration. Monitoring vital signs (Choice D) is important but typically done after the initial step of positioning the client correctly.