Nokea
Daily weights are being recorded for the patient with a urine output that has been less than the intravenous and oral intake. The weight yesterday was 5 kg. This morning it is 99 kg. The nurse understands that this corresponds to a(n)
- A. fluid retention of 1.5 liters.
- B. fluid loss of 1.5 liters.
- C. equal intake and output due to insensible losses.
- D. fluid loss of 0.5 liters.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: fluid retention of 1.5 liters. The weight gain from 5 kg to 99 kg indicates an increase of 94 kg. Since 1 kg of weight gain is approximately equal to 1 liter of fluid retention, the patient has retained 94 liters of fluid. Therefore, the correct choice is fluid retention of 1.5 liters.
Choice B is incorrect because the weight gain indicates fluid retention, not loss. Choice C is incorrect as it mentions equal intake and output, which does not match the weight gain observed. Choice D is incorrect as it suggests fluid loss, which contradicts the weight gain.
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Which of the following laboratory values would be more common in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis?
- A. Blood glucose >1000 mg/dL
- B. Negative ketones in the urine
- C. Normal anion gap
- D. pH 7.24
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A (Blood glucose >1000 mg/dL) because diabetic ketoacidosis is characterized by severe hyperglycemia. High blood glucose levels (>1000 mg/dL) are common due to insulin deficiency leading to increased glucose production.
B: Negative ketones in the urine would be incorrect as DKA results in ketone production, leading to ketonuria.
C: Normal anion gap would be incorrect as DKA typically presents with an elevated anion gap metabolic acidosis due to ketone accumulation.
D: pH 7.24 would be incorrect as DKA would present with a lower pH due to metabolic acidosis.
A patient has been on daily, high-dose glucocorticoid therapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. His prescription runs out before his next appointment with his physician. Because he is asymptomatic, he thinks it is all right to withhold the medication for 3 days. What is likely to happen to this patient?
- A. He will go into adrenal crisis.
- B. He will go into thyroid storm.
- C. His autoimmune disease will go into remission.
- D. Nothing; it is appropriate to stop the medication for 3 days.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: He will go into adrenal crisis.
Rationale:
1. Glucocorticoids suppress the body's natural production of cortisol.
2. Abruptly stopping high-dose glucocorticoid therapy can lead to adrenal insufficiency.
3. Adrenal crisis can result in symptoms like weakness, fatigue, hypotension, and potentially life-threatening consequences.
4. This patient, being on high-dose glucocorticoid therapy, is at risk for adrenal crisis if he abruptly stops the medication.
Summary:
B: Thyroid storm is not related to abruptly stopping glucocorticoid therapy.
C: Autoimmune disease remission is unlikely to occur within 3 days of stopping medication.
D: It is not appropriate to stop high-dose glucocorticoid therapy abruptly, as it can lead to adverse effects like adrenal crisis.
The nurse is caring for a patient who suffered a head trauma following a fall. The patient’s heart rate is 112 beats/min and blood pressure is 88/50 mm Hg. The patient has poor skin turgor and dry mucous membranes. The patient is confused and restless. The following laboratory values are reported: serum sodium is 115 mEq/L; blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 50 mg/dL; and creatinine 8 mg/dL. The findings are consistent with which disorder?
- A. Cerebral salt wasting
- B. Diabetes insipidus
- C. Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone
- D. Thyroid storm
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cerebral salt wasting. This is indicated by the low serum sodium level (115 mEq/L), which can occur in patients with head trauma and lead to excessive sodium loss through the kidneys. This results in hypovolemia, leading to low blood pressure and tachycardia. The elevated BUN (50 mg/dL) and creatinine (8 mg/dL) levels suggest dehydration and renal impairment due to volume depletion. The patient's poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, confusion, and restlessness further support the diagnosis of cerebral salt wasting.
Summary:
B: Diabetes insipidus is characterized by excessive urination and thirst due to insufficient production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). This patient's symptoms are not consistent with diabetes insipidus.
C: Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is characterized by excessive release of ADH, leading to water retention and
The patient’s potassium level is 0 mEq/L. Besides dialysis, which of the following actually reduces plasma potassium levels and total body potassium content safely in a patient with renal dysfunction?
- A. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
- B. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate with sorbitol
- C. Regular insulin
- D. Calcium gluconate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate. It works by exchanging sodium ions for potassium ions in the colon, leading to potassium excretion. A is the safest option without the risk of causing hypernatremia or intestinal necrosis like B. Regular insulin (C) may cause hypoglycemia and is not as effective as A in reducing potassium levels. Calcium gluconate (D) does not directly reduce potassium levels and is used for treating hyperkalemia-related cardiac toxicity.
A normal urine output is considered to be
- A. 80 to 125 mL/min.
- B. 180 L/day.
- C. 80 mL/min.
- D. 1 to 2 L/day.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: 1 to 2 L/day. Normal urine output typically ranges from 1 to 2 liters per day, which is considered adequate for maintaining proper hydration and eliminating waste products. A: 80 to 125 mL/min is too low for daily output. B: 180 L/day is excessively high and unrealistic. C: 80 mL/min is also too low for daily urine output. Therefore, D is the most appropriate choice based on standard guidelines for urine excretion.