A client with hypertension is being educated on lifestyle changes by a nurse. Which recommendation is the most important to reduce blood pressure?
- A. Increase water intake
- B. Avoid alcohol consumption
- C. Exercise regularly
- D. Reduce sodium intake
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Reducing sodium intake is crucial in managing hypertension as high sodium levels can lead to fluid retention and increased blood pressure. While increasing water intake is beneficial for overall health, reducing sodium has a more significant impact on blood pressure. Regular exercise is important for cardiovascular health but does not have as direct an impact on blood pressure as sodium reduction. Avoiding alcohol is also important, but in terms of managing blood pressure, reducing sodium intake takes precedence.
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A client with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) is scheduled for hemodialysis. Which dietary instruction should the nurse provide to the client?
- A. Limit fluid intake to prevent fluid overload
- B. Increase sodium intake to improve fluid balance
- C. Increase potassium intake to prevent hypokalemia
- D. Increase protein intake to promote healing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Limit fluid intake to prevent fluid overload.' Clients with advanced chronic kidney disease are at risk of fluid retention, which can lead to complications like fluid overload and hypertension. Therefore, it is crucial to instruct the client to limit fluid intake. Choice B is incorrect because increasing sodium intake can exacerbate fluid retention and hypertension in clients with CKD. Choice C is incorrect as increasing potassium intake can be dangerous for clients with CKD who may already have elevated potassium levels. Choice D is incorrect because while protein intake may need to be adjusted for clients on hemodialysis, the priority in this case is managing fluid intake.
A client with osteoarthritis is prescribed acetaminophen. What is the most important teaching the nurse should provide?
- A. Take the medication with food to improve absorption.
- B. Avoid taking other pain medications to prevent liver damage.
- C. Take acetaminophen on an empty stomach to prevent stomach upset.
- D. Monitor liver function tests regularly to detect any liver damage.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage if taken in excessive amounts or in combination with other medications containing acetaminophen. Clients should be advised to avoid other pain medications to prevent liver toxicity. Choice A is incorrect because acetaminophen is usually taken with or without food, not specifically on an empty stomach. Choice C is incorrect because taking acetaminophen with food can help prevent stomach upset. Choice D is incorrect because while monitoring liver function tests is important for long-term acetaminophen use, the most crucial teaching is to avoid other pain medications to prevent liver damage.
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted with increasing shortness of breath. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.
- B. Reposition the client to improve breathing.
- C. Perform chest physiotherapy.
- D. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer oxygen via nasal cannula. Oxygen therapy is the priority intervention for a client with COPD experiencing increasing shortness of breath. It helps improve oxygenation and relieve respiratory distress. Choice B is not the priority as oxygenation needs to be addressed first. Choice C, chest physiotherapy, may be beneficial but is not the immediate priority in this situation. Choice D, encouraging the client to cough and deep breathe, is not the priority intervention when oxygenation is compromised.
A client with myasthenia gravis (MG) is receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Recent lab tests show decreased serum magnesium. What nursing action is most important?
- A. Observe rhythm on telemetry monitor.
- B. Check for visual difficulties.
- C. Assess for hip and hand joint pain.
- D. Note the most recent hemoglobin level.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Magnesium plays a crucial role in maintaining normal cardiac rhythms, particularly in patients with cardiac conditions. Abnormal levels can lead to arrhythmias, which is why continuous monitoring of the heart's electrical activity is important. Magnesium's effect on neuromuscular and cardiac function makes it essential to monitor its levels, and any discrepancies can impact treatment decisions. Checking for visual difficulties (choice B) may be important in MG but is not the priority in the context of decreased serum magnesium. Assessing for hip and hand joint pain (choice C) is not directly related to the issue of decreased serum magnesium. Noting the most recent hemoglobin level (choice D) is not the priority in this situation compared to monitoring the cardiac rhythm due to low magnesium levels.
The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching?
- A. Increase fluid intake with meals
- B. Avoid lying down for at least 30 minutes after eating
- C. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
- D. Consume spicy foods in moderation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct instruction for the nurse to include in the teaching for a client with GERD is to eat small, frequent meals throughout the day. This recommendation helps reduce symptoms by preventing the stomach from becoming overly full, which can increase pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter and lead to acid reflux. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because increasing fluid intake with meals can exacerbate GERD symptoms, lying down after eating can worsen reflux, and consuming spicy foods can trigger acid reflux in individuals with GERD.