A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing excessive diarrhea. The clients arterial blood gas values are pH 7.28, PaO2 98 mm Hg, PaCO2 45 mm Hg, and HCO3 16 mEq/L. Which provider order should the nurse expect to receive?
- A. Furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg intravenous push
- B. Sodium bicarbonate 100 mEq diluted in 1 L of D5W
- C. Mechanical ventilation
- D. Indwelling urinary catheter
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sodium bicarbonate 100 mEq diluted in 1 L of D5W. In this case, the client is experiencing metabolic acidosis due to low HCO3 levels (16 mEq/L) with a low pH (7.28). Sodium bicarbonate helps correct metabolic acidosis by increasing the HCO3 levels. Furosemide (A) is a diuretic and can worsen the client's electrolyte imbalance. Mechanical ventilation (C) is not indicated for metabolic acidosis. Indwelling urinary catheter (D) does not address the underlying acid-base imbalance. Therefore, the nurse should expect the provider to order sodium bicarbonate to correct the metabolic acidosis.
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You are caring for a patient with a secondary diagnosis of hypermagnesemia. What assessment finding would be
most consistent with this diagnosis?
- A. Hypertension
- B. Kussmaul respirations
- C. Increased DTRs
- D. Shallow respirations
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Shallow respirations. Hypermagnesemia can lead to respiratory depression due to its inhibitory effect on the central nervous system. Shallow respirations are a common respiratory manifestation of hypermagnesemia. Hypertension (choice A) is not typically associated with hypermagnesemia. Kussmaul respirations (choice B) are deep, rapid breathing patterns seen in metabolic acidosis, not hypermagnesemia. Increased deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) (choice C) are more indicative of hypomagnesemia, as magnesium deficiency can lead to hyperexcitability of nerves and muscles, resulting in increased DTRs.
You are doing discharge teaching with a patient who has hypophosphatemia during his time in hospital. The patient
has a diet ordered that is high in phosphate. What foods would you teach this patient to include in his diet? Select all
that do not apply
- A. Milk
- B. Beef
- C. Poultry
- D. Liver
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Beef. While beef is a good source of protein, it is not high in phosphate. Milk, poultry, and liver are high in phosphate and would be beneficial for a patient with hypophosphatemia. Beef is not typically a significant source of phosphate and therefore would not be as effective in increasing phosphate levels in the body compared to the other options. It is important for the patient to focus on consuming foods that are high in phosphate to help correct the hypophosphatemia.
You are caring for a patient with a diagnosis of pancreatitis. The patient was admitted from a homeless shelter and is
a vague historian. The patient appears malnourished and on day 3 of the patients admission total parenteral nutrition
(TPN) has been started. Why would you know to start the infusion of TPN slowly?
- A. Patients receiving TPN are at risk for hypercalcemia if calories are started too rapidly.
- B. Malnourished patients receiving parenteral nutrition are at risk for hypophosphatemia if calories are started
too aggressively.
- C. Malnourished patients who receive fluids too rapidly are at risk for hypernatremia.
- D. Patients receiving TPN need a slow initiation of treatment in order to allow digestive enzymes to accumulate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Malnourished patients receiving parenteral nutrition are at risk for hypophosphatemia if calories are started too aggressively. Patient with pancreatitis may have depleted levels of phosphorus due to malnutrition, and rapid initiation of TPN can further decrease phosphorus levels, leading to hypophosphatemia. This can result in respiratory failure, muscle weakness, and arrhythmias.
Choice A is incorrect because patients receiving TPN are not specifically at risk for hypercalcemia due to rapid initiation of calories. Choice C is incorrect because rapid fluid infusion can lead to hypernatremia, not related to TPN initiation. Choice D is incorrect because the rationale provided for slow initiation is not related to digestive enzymes but rather to prevent hypophosphatemia in malnourished patients.
A medical-surgical nurse is concerned about the incidence of complications related to IV therapy, including bloodstream infection. Which intervention should the nurse suggest to the management team to make the biggest impact on decreasing complications
- A. Initiate a dedicated team to insert access devices
- B. . Require additional education for all nurses.
- C. Limit the use of peripheral venous access devices.
- D. Perform quality control testing on skin preparation products.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Initiate a dedicated team to insert access devices. This intervention is the most effective in decreasing complications related to IV therapy because having a dedicated team specialized in inserting access devices ensures that the procedure is done correctly each time, reducing the risk of complications such as bloodstream infections.
Choice B is not as effective because additional education for all nurses may not guarantee consistent skill levels in IV insertion. Choice C may limit access but does not address the root cause of complications. Choice D focuses on skin preparation, which is important but not as impactful as having a specialized team for IV insertion.
After teaching a client who was malnourished and is being discharged, a nurse assesses the clients understanding. Which statement indicates the client correctly understood teaching to decrease risk for the development of metabolic acidosis?
- A. I will drink at least three glasses of milk each day.
- B. . I will eat three well-balanced meals and a snack daily.
- C. . I will not take pain medication and antihistamines together.
- D. I will avoid salting my food when cooking or during meals.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: "I will drink at least three glasses of milk each day." Milk is a good source of calcium and bicarbonate, which can help buffer excess acids in the body and prevent metabolic acidosis. Calcium also plays a role in maintaining the acid-base balance.
Option B is incorrect because while eating well-balanced meals is important for overall health, it does not specifically address the prevention of metabolic acidosis. Option C is irrelevant to the prevention of metabolic acidosis. Option D is incorrect because avoiding salting food does not directly address the underlying issue of metabolic acidosis related to malnutrition.