Nokea
A client who had a thyroidectomy 24 hours ago reports tingling around the mouth and in the fingertips. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Check the client's calcium levels.
- B. Administer a dose of calcium gluconate.
- C. Assess the client's incision site for bleeding.
- D. Notify the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tingling around the mouth and in the fingertips can indicate hypocalcemia, a potential complication after thyroidectomy due to accidental damage to the parathyroid glands. Checking calcium levels is crucial as it helps in diagnosing hypocalcemia accurately. Administering calcium without knowing the actual calcium levels can be dangerous. Assessing the incision site for bleeding is important but not the priority in this situation. Notifying the healthcare provider can be done after assessing and managing the immediate concern of hypocalcemia.
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You are teaching students about how hyperosmotic agents (osmotic diuretics) are used to treat intracranial pressure. Which of the following is NOT one of the functions of hyperosmotic agents?
- A. Reduces brain metabolism and systemic blood pressure
- B. Reduces cerebral edema
- C. Dehydrates the brain
- D. Draws fluids from extravascular spaces into the plasma
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperosmotic agents primarily work by reducing cerebral edema, dehydrating the brain, and drawing fluids from extravascular spaces into the plasma. However, they do not have a direct effect on reducing brain metabolism or systemic blood pressure. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Choice B is correct as hyperosmotic agents do help in reducing cerebral edema. Choice C is accurate as hyperosmotic agents dehydrate the brain. Choice D is also true as these agents draw fluids from extravascular spaces into the plasma.
What is the function of the enzyme lactase in the digestive system?
- A. Breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose
- B. Breaks down proteins into amino acids
- C. Converts starch into maltose
- D. Breaks down fats into fatty acids
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose.' Lactase is an enzyme in the small intestine that specifically breaks down lactose, the sugar found in milk, into glucose and galactose for absorption. Choice B is incorrect because proteins are broken down into amino acids by protease enzymes. Choice C is incorrect because the enzyme amylase converts starch into maltose. Choice D is incorrect as lipase enzymes break down fats into fatty acids.
The nurse and UAP enter a client's room and find the client lying on the bed. The nurse determines that the client is unresponsive. Which instruction should the nurse give the UAP first?
- A. Obtain emergency help
- B. Feel for a carotid pulse
- C. Bring a glucometer to the room
- D. Check the blood pressure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the UAP to obtain emergency help first. In a situation where a client is unresponsive, the priority is to ensure that help is summoned promptly. This allows for the availability of necessary resources and assistance for resuscitation or other emergency interventions. Feeling for a carotid pulse or checking the blood pressure can be important assessments but are secondary to obtaining immediate help. Bringing a glucometer to the room, while relevant in certain situations, is not the priority when the client's unresponsiveness indicates a need for urgent intervention.
The single mother of a child with a head injury is sitting at the child's bedside crying when the PN enters the room. The mother states, 'Why did this happen to my child? I just can't cope with this.' How should the PN respond?
- A. Ask her to share how the injury occurred to her child.
- B. Recommend that she remain calm and positive for her child.
- C. Express that the present situation must be overwhelming.
- D. Determine if someone else can help her cope with this tragedy.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Expressing empathy and acknowledging the mother's feelings helps in providing emotional support during a difficult time. This response validates her emotions and offers a comforting presence. Choice A is not appropriate as it focuses on gathering information rather than addressing the mother's emotional distress. Choice B may come off as dismissive of the mother's feelings and oversimplifies the complexity of the situation. Choice D shifts the responsibility to someone else instead of offering immediate support and comfort.
A nurse is completing a focused assessment of an older adult's skin. The nurse notes a crusted 0.7 cm lesion on the client's forehead. Which action should the nurse take in response to this finding?
- A. Report the finding to the healthcare provider
- B. Place a clear occlusive dressing over the site
- C. Apply a warm compress to remove the crusted area
- D. Explain that this is a normal skin change with aging
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A crusted lesion, especially in an older adult, could be indicative of skin cancer or another serious condition. Therefore, reporting this finding to the healthcare provider is crucial for further evaluation and appropriate management. Placing an occlusive dressing (Choice B) could prevent proper assessment and treatment. Applying a warm compress (Choice C) may not be suitable for a suspicious skin lesion as it could worsen the condition. Explaining it as a normal skin change (Choice D) without proper evaluation can delay necessary interventions and potentially harm the patient.