A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who is confused, has a temperature of 40° C (104° F), a BP of 74/52 mm Hg, and a diagnosis of exertional heat stroke. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- A. Administer oxygen using a high-concentration mask.
- B. Give the client cold fluids orally.
- C. Apply a heating pad to prevent shivering.
- D. Encourage the client to walk to promote circulation.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer oxygen using a high-concentration mask. In exertional heat stroke, the body's ability to regulate temperature is compromised, leading to confusion, high temperature, and low blood pressure. Oxygen therapy helps support oxygenation during heat stress. It takes priority to ensure adequate oxygenation and prevent hypoxia, which can worsen the client's condition. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Giving cold fluids orally can potentially induce shock in a hypotensive client. Applying a heating pad can lead to further increase in body temperature. Encouraging the client to walk can exacerbate heat stress and increase the risk of collapse.
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A nurse notes that a clients eyes are protruding slightly from their orbits. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?
- A. Decreased TSH levels
- B. Increased T4 levels
- C. Elevated calcium levels
- D. Low hemoglobin levels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should expect increased T4 levels in a client with slightly protruding eyes, known as exophthalmos, as it is a classic sign of hyperthyroidism, where the thyroid gland is overactive. Thyroid hormones, such as T4, are responsible for regulating metabolism, and elevated levels can lead to symptoms like exophthalmos. Decreased TSH levels (choice A) would actually be seen in primary hyperthyroidism due to negative feedback. Elevated calcium levels (choice C) are more indicative of hyperparathyroidism. Low hemoglobin levels (choice D) are not typically associated with exophthalmos or hyperthyroidism.
A nurse in an emergency department is assessing a client who is overusing prescribed diuretics and has a sodium level of 127 mEq/L. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?
- A. Low urine specific gravity
- B. High urine specific gravity
- C. Elevated potassium levels
- D. Decreased potassium levels
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Low urine specific gravity. Excessive diuretic use can lead to volume depletion and low sodium levels. Low sodium levels cause the kidneys to excrete more water, resulting in dilute urine with low specific gravity. High urine specific gravity would indicate concentrated urine, which is not expected in this situation. Elevated potassium levels (choice C) are not typically associated with overuse of diuretics, as diuretics can actually lead to potassium loss. Similarly, decreased potassium levels (choice D) are commonly seen with diuretic use due to increased excretion of potassium by the kidneys.
A nurse is caring for a client who has developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of this syndrome?
- A. Bronchoconstriction
- B. Refractory hypoxemia
- C. Pulmonary hypertension
- D. Pleural effusion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B - Refractory hypoxemia.
Rationale: ARDS is characterized by severe hypoxemia that persists despite high levels of oxygen therapy, known as refractory hypoxemia. This occurs due to ventilation-perfusion mismatch and impaired gas exchange in the alveoli. The other choices are not typical manifestations of ARDS:
A: Bronchoconstriction is more commonly seen in asthma or COPD.
C: Pulmonary hypertension may develop as a complication of ARDS but is not a direct manifestation.
D: Pleural effusion may occur in ARDS but is not a defining characteristic.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for levothyroxine to treat hypothyroidism. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
- A. I will take my medication with food to increase absorption.
- B. If my heart starts racing
- C. my provider might need to adjust my dosage.
- D. I will stop taking this medication once I feel better.
- E. I should take this medication at night before bed.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it indicates the client understands the potential side effect of levothyroxine, which is palpitations or a racing heart. This shows awareness of the need to monitor and report adverse effects to the healthcare provider promptly. Taking the medication with food (A) actually decreases its absorption. Dosage adjustments (C) are common in thyroid medication but don't necessarily demonstrate immediate understanding. Stopping the medication once feeling better (D) is incorrect as levothyroxine is usually a lifelong treatment. Taking medication at night (E) is not crucial for levothyroxine as long as it is taken consistently.
A nurse is teaching a client how to obtain a specimen at home for a fecal occult blood test. Which of the following actions should the nurse instruct the client to take for 3 days prior to collecting the specimen?
- A. Avoid eating red meat.
- B. Increase fiber intake.
- C. Take an iron supplement.
- D. Drink grapefruit juice.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Avoid eating red meat. Red meat can cause false positives in fecal occult blood tests due to the presence of heme iron which can be mistaken for blood. Instructing the client to avoid red meat for 3 days prior to collecting the specimen helps to ensure the accuracy of the test results.
Summary:
B: Increasing fiber intake does not directly impact the accuracy of the fecal occult blood test.
C: Taking an iron supplement can interfere with the test results by increasing the amount of iron in the stool, leading to false positives.
D: Drinking grapefruit juice is not relevant to the accuracy of the fecal occult blood test.
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