A client has chronic respiratory acidosis caused by end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Oxygen is delivered at 1 L/min per nasal cannula. The nurse teaches the family that the reason for this is to avoid respiratory depression, based on which of the following explanations?
- A. COPD clients are stimulated to breathe by hypoxia.
- B. COPD clients depend on a low carbon dioxide level.
- C. COPD clients tend to retain hydrogen ions if they are given high doses of oxygen.
- D. COPD clients thrive on a high oxygen level.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: COPD clients are compensating for low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels. Hypoxia is the main stimulus to breathe in persons with chronic hypercapnia. Increasing the level of oxygen decreases the stimulus to breathe.
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The 40-year-old client is receiving levothyroxine for treatment of hypothyroidism. Which serum laboratory results should lead the nurse to conclude that the client's dose is adequate?
- A. Thyroid-stimulating hormone and cortisol
- B. Thyroid-stimulating hormone and free T4
- C. Triiodothyronine (T3) and free thyroxine (T4)
- D. White blood cells, glucose, and potassium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A: Cortisol levels are used to evaluate adrenal and not thyroid function. B: Restoration of normal laboratory values for TSH and free T4 indicates that the dose of levothyroxine (Synthroid) is therapeutic. C: T3 is used to evaluate the effectiveness of liothyronine and propylthiouracil, used in the treatment of thyroid disorders. D: The WBC count is used to determine if the client has an infection. Evaluation of serum glucose and potassium levels is unrelated to the use of levothyroxine.
The client has been receiving clonidine 0.1 mg via transdermal patch once every 7 days. The NA removes the patch with morning cares. Eight hours later, the nurse discovers that the clonidine patch is no longer present. Which assessment finding should be most concerning to the nurse?
- A. Skin tear is noted on the client's upper chest.
- B. Client reports having an excruciating headache.
- C. Blood pressure is noted to be 182/100 mm Hg.
- D. The ECG monitor shows a heart rate of 120 bpm.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A: Although a skin tear is concerning and may have occurred during removal, it is not the most concerning. B: Headache can occur from the abrupt removal of clonidine but is not the most concerning. C: Clonidine (Catapres) is an antihypertensive medication. Rebound hypertension occurs from abrupt withdrawal. Immediate intervention is required to lower the BP. D: Tachycardia is an adverse effect of clonidine.
The test used to differentiate sickle cell trait from sickle cell disease is:
- A. sickle cell preparation
- B. peripheral smear
- C. sickledex
- D. hemoglobin electrophoresis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hemoglobin electrophoresis identifies the specific hemoglobin types, distinguishing sickle cell trait (HbAS) from sickle cell disease (HbSS).
Nursing care for a client undergoing chemotherapy includes assessment for signs of bone marrow depression. Which finding accounts for some of the symptoms related to bone marrow depression?
- A. erythrocytosis
- B. leukocytosis
- C. polycythemia
- D. thrombocytopenia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Thrombocytopenia is an abnormal decrease in the number of platelets, which results in bleeding tendencies. Erythrocytosis is an abnormal increase in the number of circulating red blood cells. Leukocytosis is an increase in the number of white blood cells in the blood. Polycythemia is also an excess of red blood cells and is a synonym for erythrocytosis. With chemotherapy there is a decrease in red and white blood cells, not an increase.
The client, hospitalized with an exacerbation of SLE, is to receive methylprednisolone 20 mg IV q8h. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate being included in the client's plan of care?
- A. Take orthostatic BPs at least twice daily.
- B. Administer a stool softener twice daily.
- C. Premedicate with diphenhydramine.
- D. Check blood glucose before meals and at bedtime.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A: Clients receiving systemic corticosteroids are at risk for hypertension, not orthostatic hypotension. B: Constipation is not an adverse effect of corticosteroid therapy. C: Antihistamine medications are not used before administration of corticosteroids. D: Methylprednisolone (Medrol, Solu-Medrol) is a corticosteroid. Therapy with corticosteroids causes hyperglycemia. The blood glucose level should be monitored.
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