A client with chronic kidney disease is being assessed. Which of the following laboratory values would be most concerning?
- A. Serum creatinine of 3.0 mg/dL
- B. Serum potassium of 6.5 mEq/L
- C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 45 mg/dL
- D. Hemoglobin of 10 g/dL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a client with chronic kidney disease, elevated serum potassium levels (hyperkalemia) are the most concerning finding. Hyperkalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Monitoring and managing serum potassium levels are crucial in patients with kidney disease to prevent severe complications. While elevated creatinine (Choice A) and BUN (Choice C) are indicative of impaired kidney function, hyperkalemia poses a more immediate threat to the client's health. Hemoglobin levels (Choice D) can be affected by chronic kidney disease but are not as acutely dangerous as severe hyperkalemia.
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Which action by the nurse will be the most important for preventing skin impairment in a mobile patient with local nerve damage?
- A. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
- B. Limit caloric and protein intake.
- C. Turn the patient every 2 hours.
- D. Assess for pain during a bath.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most important action for preventing skin impairment in a mobile patient with local nerve damage is to assess for pain during a bath. Assessing pain during a bath helps in evaluating sensory nerve function by checking for touch, pain, heat, cold, and pressure. This assessment is crucial in identifying areas of potential skin breakdown and implementing preventive measures. Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter (Choice A) is not directly related to preventing skin impairment in this context. Limiting caloric and protein intake (Choice B) is not pertinent to skin impairment prevention for a mobile patient with local nerve damage. While turning the patient every 2 hours (Choice C) is a good practice for preventing pressure ulcers, in this case, assessing for pain during a bath is more directly related to preventing skin impairment associated with nerve damage.
A healthcare professional is planning care for a female client who has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which of the following actions should the healthcare professional include in the plan?
- A. Empty the drainage bag at least every 8 hours
- B. Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder
- C. Use sterile technique to collect a specimen from the drainage system
- D. Secure the catheter to the lower abdomen with a securement device
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct action to include in the plan is to keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder. This positioning helps ensure proper drainage and prevents backflow of urine into the bladder, reducing the risk of urinary tract infections. Emptying the drainage bag regularly is important, typically every 4-8 hours or when it is half-full, to maintain adequate flow and prevent infection (Choice A is incorrect). Using a sterile technique to collect specimens from the drainage system is crucial to prevent introducing pathogens into the urinary tract, so clean technique should not be used (Choice C is incorrect). Taping the catheter to the lower abdomen is not recommended as it can cause tension on the catheter, leading to discomfort and potential trauma to the urethra (Choice D is incorrect).
A healthcare provider is preparing to provide hygiene care. Which principle should the provider consider when planning hygiene care?
- A. Hygiene care is not performed in the same way by all individuals.
- B. No two individuals perform hygiene in the same manner.
- C. Standardizing a patient's hygienic practices is crucial.
- D. Understanding patient needs is not essential during hygiene care.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'No two individuals perform hygiene in the same manner.' It is crucial to individualize a patient's care based on understanding the patient's unique hygiene practices and preferences. Choice A is incorrect because hygiene care should be tailored to the individual's needs and preferences, not seen as routine and expected for everyone. Choice C is incorrect as standardizing a patient's hygienic practices may not address their specific needs. Choice D is incorrect because understanding patient needs is essential during hygiene care to provide personalized and effective care.
A client with a tracheostomy collar has a decrease in heart rate and oxygen saturation during tracheal suctioning. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Elevate the head of the bed.
- B. Remove the inner cannula.
- C. Irrigate the stoma.
- D. Discontinue suctioning.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take in this situation is to discontinue suctioning. Suctioning should be stopped immediately to prevent further decrease in heart rate and oxygen saturation. Elevating the head of the bed may help with oxygenation, but the priority is to stop the suctioning procedure. Removing the inner cannula or irrigating the stoma are not appropriate actions and could worsen the client's condition.
The healthcare provider is caring for a patient with a spinal cord injury and notices that the patient's hips have a tendency to rotate externally when the patient is supine. Which device will the healthcare provider use to help prevent injury secondary to this rotation?
- A. Hand rolls
- B. A trapeze bar
- C. A trochanter roll
- D. Hand-wrist splints
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A trochanter roll is the correct choice as it is used to prevent external rotation of the hips when the patient is in a supine position. Hand rolls (Choice A) are incorrect because they are used to prevent contractures of the fingers, wrist, and hand. A trapeze bar (Choice B) is not the correct option as it helps patients change positions in bed and aids with movement, not specifically for hip rotation. Hand-wrist splints (Choice D) are also incorrect as they are used to maintain the functional position of the wrist and hand, not to address hip rotation.