A client is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Fruity breath odor.
- B. Blood glucose of 450 mg/dL.
- C. Deep, rapid respirations.
- D. Serum potassium of 5.2 mEq/L.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale:
1. Deep, rapid respirations in DKA indicate Kussmaul respirations, a compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis.
2. Immediate intervention is needed to prevent respiratory failure and further acidosis.
3. Administering IV fluids and insulin can help correct acidosis and stabilize breathing.
4. Fruity breath odor (A) and high blood glucose (B) are common in DKA but do not require immediate intervention.
5. Serum potassium of 5.2 mEq/L (D) is slightly elevated but not as urgent as addressing respiratory distress.
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A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. What dietary advice should the nurse provide?
- A. Increase intake of caffeine.
- B. Maintain a consistent salt intake.
- C. Avoid dairy products.
- D. Increase intake of green leafy vegetables.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Maintain a consistent salt intake. Lithium can affect sodium levels in the body, so it's important to maintain a consistent salt intake to prevent lithium toxicity or imbalance. Increasing caffeine intake (choice A) can worsen symptoms of bipolar disorder. Avoiding dairy products (choice C) is not necessary for lithium therapy. Increasing intake of green leafy vegetables (choice D) is generally healthy but not specifically recommended for lithium therapy. Maintaining a consistent salt intake is crucial in managing the effects of lithium on sodium levels.
A patient with cirrhosis of the liver and ascites is scheduled for a paracentesis. What should the nurse do to prepare the patient for the procedure?
- A. Have the patient void immediately before the procedure.
- B. Position the patient flat in bed.
- C. Administer a full liquid diet.
- D. Encourage the patient to ambulate for 30 minutes.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Have the patient void immediately before the procedure. This step is crucial to prevent accidental puncture of the bladder during paracentesis. Voiding helps empty the bladder, reducing the risk of injury and ensuring a safer procedure.
Incorrect choices:
B: Position the patient flat in bed - Incorrect, as the patient should be in a sitting position with legs dangling over the side of the bed during the procedure.
C: Administer a full liquid diet - Incorrect, as a full liquid diet is not necessary for paracentesis preparation.
D: Encourage the patient to ambulate for 30 minutes - Incorrect, as ambulation is not relevant to preparing for paracentesis.
A patient who is diagnosed with cervical cancer that is classified as Tis, N0, M0 asks the nurse what the letters and numbers mean. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. The cancer involves only the cervix.
- B. The cancer cells closely resemble normal cells.
- C. Further testing is necessary to determine the spread of the cancer.
- D. Determining the original site of the cervical cancer is challenging.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why answer A is correct:
1. Tis refers to carcinoma in situ, meaning the cancer is limited to the surface layer of cells in the cervix.
2. N0 indicates no regional lymph node involvement.
3. M0 indicates no distant metastasis.
4. Therefore, the cancer is localized only to the cervix, making answer A correct.
Summary:
B: Incorrect - Does not address the staging information provided in Tis, N0, M0.
C: Incorrect - The staging information is already provided, and further testing may not be necessary at this stage.
D: Incorrect - Staging information does not indicate difficulty in determining the original site of the cancer.
An adolescent patient seeks care in the emergency department after sharing needles for heroin injection with a friend who has hepatitis B. To provide immediate protection from infection, what medication will the nurse administer?
- A. Corticosteroids
- B. Gamma globulin
- C. Hepatitis B vaccine
- D. Fresh frozen plasma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Gamma globulin. Gamma globulin contains antibodies that can provide immediate passive immunity against hepatitis B virus. Administering corticosteroids (A) would not protect against hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B vaccine (C) is used for prevention, not immediate protection. Fresh frozen plasma (D) does not contain specific antibodies against hepatitis B.
What instructions should the nurse give to a patient with cervical cancer who is planned to receive external-beam radiation to prevent complications from the effects of the radiation?
- A. Test all stools for the presence of blood.
- B. Maintain a high-residue, high-fiber diet.
- C. Clean the perianal area carefully after every bowel movement.
- D. Inspect the mouth and throat daily for the appearance of thrush.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Clean the perianal area carefully after every bowel movement. This is important to prevent skin breakdown and infection due to the potential side effect of radiation-induced diarrhea. By maintaining good hygiene in the perianal area, the patient can reduce the risk of complications such as skin irritation and infection.
Choice A is incorrect because testing stools for the presence of blood is not directly related to preventing complications from external-beam radiation.
Choice B is incorrect because while a high-residue, high-fiber diet may be beneficial for some cancer patients, it is not specifically recommended to prevent complications from radiation therapy in this case.
Choice D is incorrect because inspecting the mouth and throat daily for thrush is more relevant for patients receiving chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy, not specifically for those undergoing external-beam radiation.