A nurse caring for a group of clients reviews the electrolyte laboratory results and notes a potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L on one client's laboratory report. The nurse understands that which client is at highest risk for the development of a potassium value at this level?
- A. The client with colitis
- B. The client with Cushing's syndrome
- C. The client who has been overusing laxatives
- D. The client who has sustained a traumatic burn
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clients who have sustained traumatic burns are at a higher risk of developing hyperkalemia due to cell lysis. When cells are damaged in a traumatic burn, potassium can leak out from the intracellular space into the bloodstream, leading to elevated serum potassium levels. Colitis, Cushing's syndrome, and overuse of laxatives are not typically associated with the same degree of cell damage or potassium shifts seen in traumatic burns, making them less likely to result in such high potassium levels.
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Nurse managers need several qualities to be effective. A nurse manager is working hard to fully understand how patient outcomes are measured on the unit and how budget changes could impact patient outcomes. Which of the following qualities does this best describe?
- A. Leadership
- B. Business sense
- C. Clinical expertise
- D. Financial management
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Business sense.' Nurse managers need to understand how financial decisions impact patient outcomes, which requires a strong understanding of business principles. Leadership (choice A) is important but doesn't specifically address understanding financial and outcome-based impacts. Clinical expertise (choice C) is essential for patient care but doesn't directly relate to understanding budget changes and their impact. Financial management (choice D) is more about managing finances directly rather than understanding the broader implications of budget changes on patient outcomes.
Nurse Louie is developing a teaching plan for a male client diagnosed with diabetes insipidus. The nurse should include information about which hormone lacking in clients with diabetes insipidus?
- A. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
- B. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- C. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- D. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Diabetes insipidus is a condition characterized by a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH plays a crucial role in regulating water balance by controlling the amount of water reabsorbed by the kidneys. Options B, C, and D are incorrect as they are not associated with diabetes insipidus. TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is responsible for regulating thyroid function, while FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) are involved in reproductive functions.
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is experiencing hypoglycemia. What should the nurse instruct the client to do?
- A. Administer insulin immediately
- B. Consume 15 grams of simple carbohydrates
- C. Drink plenty of water
- D. Avoid eating until symptoms resolve
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus experiences hypoglycemia, the nurse should instruct them to consume 15 grams of simple carbohydrates. This is the recommended initial treatment for hypoglycemia as it helps quickly raise blood sugar levels to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications. Administering insulin immediately (Choice A) would further lower blood sugar levels, worsening the hypoglycemia. Drinking plenty of water (Choice C) and avoiding eating until symptoms resolve (Choice D) are not appropriate actions for treating hypoglycemia as they do not address the immediate need to raise blood sugar levels.
Which of the following best describes the nurse's responsibility in obtaining informed consent?
- A. The nurse is responsible for ensuring that the patient understands the procedure and has the opportunity to ask questions.
- B. The nurse should ensure that the patient signs the consent form before the procedure begins.
- C. The nurse is responsible for witnessing the patient sign the consent form and documenting the event.
- D. The nurse should delegate the task of obtaining informed consent to another healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Informed consent is a process where the healthcare provider, in this case, the nurse, ensures that the patient understands the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives before they agree to it. The nurse plays a crucial role in facilitating this understanding by explaining the information in a clear and understandable manner and providing the patient with the opportunity to ask questions. Choice B is incorrect because merely obtaining the patient's signature on the consent form does not ensure that the patient truly understands what they are consenting to. Choice C is not fully accurate as the nurse's role goes beyond just witnessing the signature; it involves actively ensuring the patient's comprehension. Choice D is incorrect as the responsibility of obtaining informed consent should not be delegated to another healthcare provider, as it is the nurse's duty to ensure proper communication and understanding with the patient.
Which of the following best describes the nurse's role in maintaining patient dignity?
- A. The nurse ensures that the patient is treated with respect and that their personal beliefs and values are considered in their care.
- B. The nurse maintains the patient's dignity by ensuring privacy during personal care activities.
- C. The nurse ensures that the patient's personal information is kept private and only shared with those directly involved in their care.
- D. The nurse ensures that the patient is involved in decisions about their care and that their preferences are respected.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The nurse's role in maintaining patient dignity goes beyond just privacy during personal care activities. It involves treating the patient with respect, considering their personal beliefs and values in their care. While privacy is important for dignity, respecting personal beliefs and values is equally crucial. Choice B focuses solely on privacy, overlooking the broader aspects of dignity maintenance. Choices C and D, although important in patient care, do not fully capture the comprehensive approach needed for maintaining patient dignity as described in choice A.