A nurse assesses a client who is admitted with an acid-base imbalance. The clients arterial blood gas values are pH 7.32, PaO2 85 mm Hg, PaCO2 34 mm Hg, and HCO3 16 mEq/L. What action should the nurse take next?
- A. Assess clients rate, rhythm, and depth of respiration.
- B. Measure the clients pulse and blood pressure.
- C. Document the findings and continue to monitor.
- D. Notify the physician as soon as possible.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assess clients rate, rhythm, and depth of respiration. The arterial blood gas values indicate a respiratory acidosis due to low pH and low PaCO2. The nurse should assess the respiratory status to determine if the client is hypoventilating, which is causing the retention of CO2 and subsequent acidosis. Assessing the rate, rhythm, and depth of respiration will help determine if the client requires immediate intervention such as oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, or respiratory treatment.
Choice B is incorrect because measuring pulse and blood pressure does not directly address the underlying cause of the acid-base imbalance. Choice C is incorrect as the nurse should take immediate action to address the imbalance rather than passively monitoring. Choice D is incorrect as immediate intervention is needed to address the respiratory acidosis.
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A nurse is assessing clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which clients are at increased risk for hypophosphatemia? (Select all that do not apply.)
- A. A 36-year-old who is malnourished
- B. A 42-year-old with uncontrolled diabetes
- C. A 76-year-old who is prescribed antacids
- D. 50-year-old with hyperparathyroidism
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because antacids contain aluminum or magnesium, which can bind with phosphorus and decrease its absorption, leading to hypophosphatemia. Malnourishment (choice A) can cause hypophosphatemia due to inadequate intake, uncontrolled diabetes (choice B) is associated with hyperphosphatemia, and hyperparathyroidism (choice D) can lead to hyperphosphatemia due to increased calcium levels.
. A nurse assesses a client who had an intraosseous catheter placed in the left leg. Which assessment finding is of greatest concern?
- A. The catheter has been in place for 20 hours.
- B. . The client has poor vascular access in the upper extremities.
- C. The catheter is placed in the proximal tibia.
- D. The clients left lower extremity is cool to the touch.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. A cool lower extremity can indicate impaired circulation due to the intraosseous catheter placement, leading to compartment syndrome or tissue necrosis. This finding requires immediate intervention to prevent serious complications. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the duration of catheter placement, poor vascular access, and the specific location of the catheter do not directly impact circulation and tissue perfusion as significantly as a cool lower extremity.
You are the nurse caring for a patient who is to receive IV daunorubicin, a chemotherapeutic agent. You start the
infusion and check the insertion site as per protocol. During your most recent check, you note that the IV has infiltrated
so you stop the infusion. What is your main concern with this infiltration?
- A. Extravasation of the medication
- B. Discomfort to the patient
- C. Blanching at the site
- D. Hypersensitivity reaction to the medication
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Extravasation of the medication. Extravasation occurs when the infused medication leaks into surrounding tissues, potentially causing tissue damage and necrosis. This is a serious concern with vesicant medications like daunorubicin. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications.
Choice B: Discomfort to the patient is incorrect because while discomfort may occur with infiltration, the main concern is the potential for tissue damage from extravasation.
Choice C: Blanching at the site is incorrect as it is a common sign of infiltration, but the main concern is the possibility of extravasation and tissue damage.
Choice D: Hypersensitivity reaction to the medication is incorrect as it is a different type of reaction that is not directly related to infiltration or extravasation.
You are performing an admission assessment on an older adult patient newly admitted for end-stage liver disease.
What principle should guide your assessment of the patients skin turgor?
- A. Overhydration is common among healthy older adults.
- B. Dehydration causes the skin to appear spongy
- C. Inelastic skin turgor is a normal part of aging
- D. Skin turgor cannot be assessed in patients over 70.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Inelastic skin turgor is a normal part of aging. As people age, their skin loses elasticity and becomes less turgid, which can affect skin turgor assessment. Skin turgor assessment is an important indicator of hydration status, and in older adults, it is normal for the skin to be less elastic. This is due to changes in collagen and elastin fibers in the skin with aging. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because overhydration is not common among healthy older adults, dehydration causes the skin to appear tented rather than spongy, and skin turgor can still be assessed in patients over 70, although it may be less reliable due to natural changes in skin elasticity with aging.
The physician has ordered a peripheral IV to be inserted before the patient goes for computed tomography. What
should the nurse do when selecting a site on the hand or arm for insertion of an IV catheter?
- A. Choose a hairless site if available.
- B. Consider potential effects on the patients mobility when selecting a site.
- C. Have the patient briefly hold his arm over his head before insertion
- D. Leave the tourniquet on for at least 3 minutes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because considering potential effects on the patient's mobility is crucial when selecting a site for IV insertion. Mobility can be affected if the IV is placed in a joint area or on the dominant hand. This could limit the patient's ability to move freely during and after the procedure. Therefore, it is important to choose a site that will not hinder the patient's movement.
A: Choosing a hairless site is not the most important factor when selecting a site for IV insertion.
C: Having the patient hold his arm over his head before insertion is not necessary and may cause discomfort for the patient.
D: Leaving the tourniquet on for at least 3 minutes is not recommended as it can lead to complications such as venous stasis.