Nokea
A client with a history of hypertension is prescribed a diuretic. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication?
- A. Monitor serum calcium levels.
- B. Monitor serum potassium levels.
- C. Monitor serum sodium levels.
- D. Monitor serum magnesium levels.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor serum potassium levels. When a client is prescribed a diuretic, monitoring serum potassium levels is essential to evaluate the medication's effectiveness and to detect potential electrolyte imbalances. Diuretics can cause potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia, which can have serious consequences such as cardiac arrhythmias. Monitoring serum calcium levels (Choice A) is not typically required when assessing the effectiveness of diuretics. Similarly, monitoring serum sodium levels (Choice C) is important for other conditions but is not the primary concern when evaluating diuretic therapy. Monitoring serum magnesium levels (Choice D) is also important, but potassium levels are more critical in assessing diuretic effectiveness and preventing complications.
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While instructing a male client's wife in the performance of passive range-of-motion exercises to his contracted shoulder, the nurse observes that she is holding his arm above and below the elbow. What nursing action should the LPN/LVN implement?
- A. Acknowledge that she is supporting the arm correctly.
- B. Encourage her to keep the joint covered to maintain warmth.
- C. Reinforce the need to grip directly under the joint for better support.
- D. Instruct her to grip directly over the joint for better motion.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Acknowledging that the client's wife is supporting the arm correctly is the appropriate nursing action in this scenario. By doing so, the nurse reinforces correct technique and promotes confidence. Choice B is incorrect as the issue is not about maintaining warmth. Choice C is incorrect as gripping directly under the joint is not necessary in this case. Choice D is incorrect as instructing to grip directly over the joint may not provide the best support for passive range-of-motion exercises.
A client has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent infection?
- A. Ensure the catheter tubing is free of kinks.
- B. Clean the perineal area with antiseptic solution daily.
- C. Irrigate the catheter with normal saline every shift.
- D. Secure the catheter to the client's leg.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cleaning the perineal area with antiseptic solution daily is essential to prevent infection when caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. This practice helps reduce the risk of introducing pathogens into the urinary tract. Ensuring the catheter tubing is free of kinks (Choice A) is important for maintaining proper urine flow but is not directly related to preventing infection. Irrigating the catheter with normal saline every shift (Choice C) is not a routine practice and can increase the risk of introducing pathogens. Securing the catheter to the client's leg (Choice D) is important for stability but does not directly prevent infection.
A patient's neighbor is scheduled for elective surgery. The neighbor's provider indicated that a moderate amount of blood loss is expected during the surgery, and the neighbor is anxious about acquiring an infection from a blood transfusion. Which of the following is appropriate for the nurse to suggest?
- A. Avoid the blood transfusion
- B. Donate autologous blood before the surgery
- C. Use a blood substitute
- D. Take antibiotics before the surgery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Donating autologous blood before surgery is an appropriate suggestion by the nurse. This process involves the patient donating their own blood before the surgery, which reduces the risk of infection from transfusions as the patient is receiving their own blood. Choice A is incorrect as avoiding the blood transfusion may not be feasible or safe in the context of expected blood loss during surgery. Choice C is not a common practice and may carry its own risks. Choice D is not directly related to reducing the risk of infection from a blood transfusion.
How should a healthcare professional care for a client approaching death with shortness of breath and noisy respirations?
- A. Turn the client every 2 hours
- B. Provide supplemental oxygen
- C. Use a fan to reduce the feeling of breathlessness
- D. Administer diuretics as prescribed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a palliative care setting, when caring for a client approaching death with symptoms of shortness of breath and noisy respirations, using a fan can help alleviate the sensation of breathlessness. This intervention can provide comfort by improving air circulation and reducing the perception of breathlessness. Turning the client every 2 hours may not directly address the respiratory distress caused by noisy respirations. Providing supplemental oxygen may not be indicated or effective in all cases, especially in end-of-life care where the focus is on comfort rather than aggressive interventions. Administering diuretics as prescribed would not be appropriate for addressing noisy respirations and shortness of breath in a dying client, as this may not be related to fluid overload or congestion. Therefore, the most appropriate action to help the client feel more comfortable in this situation is to use a fan to reduce the feeling of breathlessness.
During a staff meeting, a nurse is discussing the purpose of regulatory agencies. Which of the following tasks should the nurse identify as the responsibility of state licensing boards?
- A. Monitoring evidence-based practice for clients with specific diagnoses.
- B. Ensuring that health care providers comply with regulations.
- C. Setting quality standards for accrediting health care facilities.
- D. Determining the safety of medications for administration to clients.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: State licensing boards are primarily responsible for ensuring that health care providers comply with regulations. This includes overseeing licensure requirements, investigating complaints, and enforcing disciplinary actions. Monitoring evidence-based practice for clients with specific diagnoses is typically within the domain of professional organizations or healthcare institutions. Setting quality standards for accrediting health care facilities is usually the role of accrediting bodies such as The Joint Commission. Lastly, determining the safety of medications for administration to clients falls under the purview of regulatory agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).