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The nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which intervention is most important?
- A. Administer insulin as prescribed.
- B. Monitor the client's urine output.
- C. Assess the client's level of consciousness.
- D. Obtain an arterial blood gas (ABG) sample.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Administering insulin is the most crucial intervention in managing diabetic ketoacidosis. Insulin helps reduce blood glucose levels and correct metabolic acidosis, which are the primary issues in DKA. Monitoring urine output (Choice B) is important but not as critical as administering insulin. Assessing the client's level of consciousness (Choice C) is essential but does not directly address the underlying cause of DKA. Obtaining an arterial blood gas sample (Choice D) can provide valuable information but is not as urgent as administering insulin to address the immediate metabolic imbalance.
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A female client with ovarian cancer is receiving chemotherapy. Which laboratory result should the nurse report to the healthcare provider immediately?
- A. White blood cell count of 2,000/mm³
- B. Platelet count of 100,000/mm³
- C. Hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL
- D. Serum creatinine level of 1.5 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A white blood cell count of 2,000/mm³ is critically low and places the client at high risk for infection, requiring immediate intervention. Neutropenia, a low white blood cell count, is a common side effect of chemotherapy. A decreased white blood cell count compromises the immune system's ability to fight infections, making it a priority to address to prevent serious complications. Platelet count of 100,000/mm³ is relatively low but not as urgent as a severely low white blood cell count. Hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL is within the normal range for females and does not require immediate intervention. Serum creatinine level of 1.5 mg/dL is also within the normal range and does not pose an immediate threat to the client's health.
A 75-year-old female client is admitted to the orthopedic unit following an open reduction and internal fixation of a hip fracture. On the second postoperative day, the client becomes confused and repeatedly asks the nurse where she is. What information is most important for the nurse to obtain?
- A. History of alcohol use
- B. Current medication list
- C. Baseline cognitive status
- D. Family history of dementia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: History of alcohol use. In this scenario, obtaining the history of alcohol use is crucial as it could indicate withdrawal, which might explain the client's confusion. Alcohol withdrawal can lead to symptoms such as confusion, agitation, and disorientation. While knowing the current medication list (choice B) is important for overall patient care, in this case, alcohol withdrawal is a more likely cause of the confusion. Baseline cognitive status (choice C) is valuable for comparison but may not directly explain the sudden confusion. Family history of dementia (choice D) is less relevant in this acute situation compared to the potential immediate impact of alcohol withdrawal.
A client is being treated with an aminoglycoside antibiotic for a serious gram-negative infection. What nursing action should be included in the plan of care to prevent nephrotoxicity?
- A. Monitor serum creatinine levels daily.
- B. Administer the antibiotic over a longer period of time.
- C. Encourage increased fluid intake.
- D. Restrict dietary protein intake.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Monitoring serum creatinine levels daily is the essential nursing action to prevent nephrotoxicity from aminoglycoside antibiotics. Aminoglycosides can cause kidney damage, so monitoring serum creatinine levels helps in detecting early signs of nephrotoxicity. Administering the antibiotic over a longer period of time (choice B) does not directly prevent nephrotoxicity. Encouraging increased fluid intake (choice C) is a general good practice but not specifically aimed at preventing nephrotoxicity. Restricting dietary protein intake (choice D) is not a direct preventive measure against aminoglycoside-induced nephrotoxicity.
After receiving lactulose, a client with hepatic encephalopathy has several loose stools. What action should the nurse implement?
- A. Send stool specimen to the lab
- B. Measure abdominal girth
- C. Encourage increased fiber in the diet
- D. Monitor mental status
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to implement after a client with hepatic encephalopathy has loose stools following lactulose administration is to monitor the client's mental status. Lactulose is given to lower serum ammonia levels in hepatic encephalopathy, and loose stools can be an expected side effect of its use. Monitoring mental status is crucial because changes in mental status, such as confusion or altered level of consciousness, are key indicators of hepatic encephalopathy worsening. Sending a stool specimen to the lab would not be the priority in this situation as loose stools are a known effect of lactulose. Measuring abdominal girth is more relevant for conditions like ascites, not loose stools. Encouraging increased fiber in the diet may be beneficial for constipation but is not the immediate action needed when loose stools occur after lactulose administration.
A client with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is scheduled for hemodialysis. Which laboratory value should the nurse report to the healthcare provider immediately?
- A. Serum potassium of 5.5 mEq/L
- B. Serum calcium of 8 mg/dL
- C. Serum creatinine of 2.0 mg/dL
- D. White blood cell count of 10,000/mm³
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A serum potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L is concerning in a client with ESRD scheduled for hemodialysis as it indicates hyperkalemia, requiring immediate intervention. Hyperkalemia can lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias, especially during hemodialysis. Serum calcium, serum creatinine, and white blood cell count, while important, do not pose immediate life-threatening risks like hyperkalemia.