A client with chronic kidney disease is prescribed a low-protein diet. Which laboratory result should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the diet?
- A. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
- B. Serum potassium
- C. Serum calcium
- D. Creatinine clearance
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN). BUN is a waste product that reflects protein intake and kidney function. In chronic kidney disease, high protein intake can increase BUN levels, so monitoring BUN helps assess the effectiveness of the low-protein diet.
Incorrect choices:
B: Serum potassium - This is more related to kidney function but not specifically affected by a low-protein diet.
C: Serum calcium - Calcium levels are not directly affected by protein intake or a low-protein diet in chronic kidney disease.
D: Creatinine clearance - This measures kidney function but is not directly influenced by protein intake.
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The healthcare provider is assessing a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which finding should the provider expect?
- A. Increased anteroposterior chest diameter.
- B. Decreased respiratory rate.
- C. Dull percussion sounds over the lungs.
- D. Hyperresonance on chest percussion.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increased anteroposterior chest diameter. In COPD, the chronic airway obstruction leads to air trapping, causing the chest to become hyperinflated. This results in an increase in the anteroposterior chest diameter, often referred to as "barrel chest."
Explanation for why other choices are incorrect:
B: Decreased respiratory rate is not typically seen in COPD; patients often exhibit an increased respiratory rate due to difficulty breathing.
C: Dull percussion sounds over the lungs are associated with conditions like pneumonia or pleural effusion, not COPD.
D: Hyperresonance on chest percussion is typically found in conditions like emphysema, a type of COPD, but it is not specific to COPD as a whole.
A client who has just started taking levodopa-carbidopa (Sinemet) for Parkinson's disease reports experiencing nausea. What should the nurse recommend to the client?
- A. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
- B. Consume a low-protein snack with the medication.
- C. Increase your intake of dairy products.
- D. Stop taking the medication and notify your healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Consume a low-protein snack with the medication. This is because levodopa absorption is improved when taken with a low-protein snack, reducing the risk of nausea. Choice A is incorrect as taking the medication on an empty stomach can exacerbate nausea. Choice C is incorrect as increasing dairy intake can interfere with levodopa absorption. Choice D is incorrect as abruptly stopping the medication can worsen Parkinson's symptoms.
A healthcare professional is assessing a client with severe dehydration. Which finding indicates a need for immediate intervention?
- A. Heart rate of 110 beats per minute.
- B. Blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg.
- C. Urine output of 20 ml/hour.
- D. Dry mucous membranes.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Urine output of 20 ml/hour. In severe dehydration, decreased urine output indicates compromised renal function and impaired fluid balance, necessitating immediate intervention to prevent further complications. A: Heart rate of 110 bpm is elevated but not an immediate concern. B: Blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg is low but may be compensated in dehydration. D: Dry mucous membranes are a sign of dehydration but not an immediate threat compared to inadequate urine output.
The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving chemotherapy. Which laboratory result indicates that the client is at risk for infection?
- A. Hemoglobin level of 12 g/dL.
- B. Platelet count of 150,000/mm3.
- C. White blood cell count of 2,000/mm3.
- D. Serum creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: White blood cell count of 2,000/mm3. A low white blood cell count indicates leukopenia, which increases the risk of infection in clients receiving chemotherapy. Hemoglobin level (choice A) and platelet count (choice B) are not directly related to infection risk. Serum creatinine level (choice D) is related to kidney function, not infection risk. In summary, a low white blood cell count is the most critical indicator for infection risk in clients undergoing chemotherapy.
When assessing a client with suspected meningitis, which finding is indicative of meningeal irritation?
- A. Brudzinski's sign
- B. Positive Babinski reflex
- C. Kernig's sign
- D. Both A and C
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, Both A and C. Brudzinski's sign and Kernig's sign are both indicative of meningeal irritation. Brudzinski's sign is when flexion of the neck causes involuntary flexion of the hip and knee. Kernig's sign is when there is resistance or pain with knee extension after hip flexion. These signs suggest inflammation of the meninges, commonly seen in meningitis. Babinski reflex (choice B) is not specific to meningitis and is related to upper motor neuron dysfunction. Therefore, the correct answer is D as it includes the two most relevant signs for meningeal irritation, while the other choices are not directly associated with this condition.
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