A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus is admitted to the hospital with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). What is the priority nursing action?
- A. Administer regular insulin intravenously.
- B. Give oral hypoglycemic agents.
- C. Administer sodium bicarbonate.
- D. Provide a high-calorie diet.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer regular insulin intravenously. In DKA, the priority is to lower blood glucose levels and correct acidosis. Regular insulin intravenously is the fastest way to reduce blood glucose levels. Oral hypoglycemic agents (B) are not effective in DKA. Sodium bicarbonate (C) is not routinely recommended in DKA as it may worsen acidosis. Providing a high-calorie diet (D) is not appropriate as the focus should be on treating the underlying condition first.
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What skin care instructions should the nurse give to a patient receiving external beam radiation therapy for cancer treatment?
- A. Use a heating pad to relieve any pain in the treated area.
- B. Apply alcohol-based lotions to the treated area daily.
- C. Avoid exposing the treated area to sunlight.
- D. Wash the treated area with hot water and strong soap.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Avoid exposing the treated area to sunlight. This is important because radiation therapy can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, leading to increased risk of sunburn and skin damage. Sun exposure can worsen skin reactions and delay healing. Choice A is incorrect because heat sources like heating pads can exacerbate skin irritation. Choice B is incorrect as alcohol-based lotions can further irritate the skin. Choice D is incorrect as hot water and strong soap can be too harsh on the sensitive skin. Overall, protecting the treated area from sunlight is crucial for optimal skin care during radiation therapy.
A patient who is receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer develops thrombocytopenia. What should the nurse include in the care plan?
- A. Encourage light exercise.
- B. Avoid intramuscular injections.
- C. Do not administer aspirin.
- D. Use a soft toothbrush for oral care.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Avoid intramuscular injections. Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by low platelet count, which can lead to impaired blood clotting. Intramuscular injections can cause bleeding and bruising due to the decreased ability of blood to clot. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid invasive procedures like intramuscular injections to prevent excessive bleeding in patients with thrombocytopenia. Encouraging light exercise (choice A) can be beneficial for overall health but may not directly address the risk of bleeding. Avoiding aspirin (choice C) is important as it can further increase the risk of bleeding. Using a soft toothbrush for oral care (choice D) is a good practice, but it does not directly address the risk associated with intramuscular injections in patients with thrombocytopenia.
A patient with tuberculosis is started on rifampin. What advice should the nurse provide?
- A. Limit intake of green leafy vegetables.
- B. Expect orange-red discoloration of body fluids.
- C. Avoid exposure to sunlight.
- D. Take the medication with antacids.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Expect orange-red discoloration of body fluids. Rifampin is known to cause a harmless side effect of discoloration of body fluids, such as urine, sweat, saliva, and tears, turning them orange-red. This is a common occurrence and should be expected by the patient.
Incorrect choices:
A: Limit intake of green leafy vegetables - This advice is not necessary with rifampin.
C: Avoid exposure to sunlight - There is no direct association between rifampin and sunlight exposure.
D: Take the medication with antacids - Rifampin should not be taken with antacids as they can interfere with its absorption.
In summary, the correct answer is B because it aligns with a known side effect of rifampin, while the other choices are not relevant to the medication.
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing nausea and vomiting. What advice should the nurse give regarding insulin administration?
- A. Skip your insulin dose until you can eat.'
- B. Take your insulin as prescribed, but monitor your blood glucose closely.'
- C. Reduce your insulin dose by half.'
- D. Only take your long-acting insulin.'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because skipping insulin can lead to dangerous complications like diabetic ketoacidosis. Taking insulin as prescribed ensures blood glucose control, preventing hyperglycemia. Monitoring blood glucose closely helps adjust doses accordingly. Choice A is incorrect as skipping insulin can be life-threatening. Choice C is incorrect as reducing insulin without proper monitoring can lead to unstable glucose levels. Choice D is incorrect as both long-acting and short-acting insulin are essential for managing type 1 diabetes.
A client who is 2 days postoperative reports severe pain and swelling in the right leg. The nurse notes that the leg is warm and red. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Apply a warm compress to the affected leg.
- B. Elevate the leg on pillows.
- C. Measure the circumference of the leg.
- D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Notify the healthcare provider immediately. This is the priority action because the client is experiencing severe pain, swelling, warmth, and redness in the leg, which are signs of potential deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or other serious complications postoperatively. The healthcare provider needs to be informed promptly to assess and initiate appropriate treatment to prevent further complications.
A: Applying a warm compress may worsen the condition if it is DVT, as heat can promote clot formation.
B: Elevating the leg on pillows may not address the underlying cause of the symptoms and delay necessary intervention.
C: Measuring the circumference of the leg may provide some information, but it is not as urgent as notifying the healthcare provider for immediate assessment and intervention.