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A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings for a client who developed fat embolism syndrome (FES) following a fracture. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?
- A. Decreased serum calcium level
- B. Increased potassium level
- C. Decreased white blood cell count
- D. Increased serum albumin level
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Decreased serum calcium level. In fat embolism syndrome (FES), fat droplets enter the bloodstream and can affect various organs. One of the common complications is hypocalcemia due to the binding of calcium to the fatty acids, leading to decreased serum calcium levels. This can result in symptoms such as confusion, tetany, and seizures. The other choices are incorrect because: B: Increased potassium level is not typically associated with FES. C: Decreased white blood cell count is not a common finding in FES. D: Increased serum albumin level is not related to FES.
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A nurse in a burn treatment center is caring for a client who is admitted with severe burns to both lower extremities and is scheduled for an escharotomy. The client's spouse asks the nurse what the procedure entails. Which of the following nursing statements is appropriate?
- A. Skin grafting will be done to replace damaged tissue.
- B. Large incisions will be made in the eschar to improve circulation.
- C. This is a procedure to remove dead tissue from the burn area.
- D. Escharotomy is the removal of the burned area and will not improve circulation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Large incisions will be made in the eschar to improve circulation. Escharotomy involves making incisions through the eschar (dead tissue) to relieve constriction and improve circulation in the burned area. By performing escharotomy, blood flow is restored, reducing the risk of compartment syndrome and tissue necrosis.
Choice A is incorrect because skin grafting is a separate procedure done to replace damaged tissue, not part of an escharotomy. Choice C is incorrect as it describes debridement, not escharotomy. Choice D is incorrect since escharotomy aims to improve circulation rather than remove the burned area entirely.
A nurse is preparing a client who has AIDS for discharge. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the discharge instructions?
- A. Prevent the spread of infection with good household cleaning practices.
- B. Limit handwashing to once a day to avoid skin damage.
- C. Avoid sharing towels with other people in the household.
- D. Do not disinfect surfaces in the home with bleach.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Prevent the spread of infection with good household cleaning practices. The nurse should include this statement in the discharge instructions because individuals with AIDS have weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections. Good household cleaning practices can help prevent the spread of infections to the client and others.
Incorrect choices:
B: Limit handwashing to once a day to avoid skin damage - This is incorrect as frequent handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infections.
C: Avoid sharing towels with other people in the household - This is incorrect as sharing towels can lead to the transmission of infections.
D: Do not disinfect surfaces in the home with bleach - This is incorrect as disinfecting surfaces with bleach is important to kill harmful pathogens.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of exposure to TB and symptoms of night sweats and hemoptysis. Which of the following tests should the nurse realize is the most reliable to confirm the diagnosis of active pulmonary TB?
- A. Bronchoscopy
- B. Chest X-ray
- C. TB skin test (Mantoux test)
- D. Sputum culture for acid-fast bacillus
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Sputum culture for acid-fast bacillus. This test is the most reliable for confirming active pulmonary TB because it directly detects the presence of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria in the sputum sample. Bronchoscopy (A) may help visualize the airways but does not definitively confirm TB. Chest X-ray (B) can show characteristic findings suggestive of TB but cannot confirm the diagnosis. TB skin test (C) indicates exposure but not active disease. Sputum culture is the gold standard for diagnosing TB, as it allows for definitive identification of the bacteria.
A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas values of a client who has chronic kidney disease. Which of the following sets of values should the nurse expect?
- A. pH 7.25, HCO3- 19 mEq/L, PaCO2 30 mm Hg
- B. pH 7.40, HCO3- 24 mEq/L, PaCO2 38 mm Hg
- C. pH 7.45, HCO3- 28 mEq/L, PaCO2 40 mm Hg
- D. pH 7.50, HCO3- 30 mEq/L, PaCO2 45 mm Hg
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A (pH 7.25, HCO3- 19 mEq/L, PaCO2 30 mm Hg). In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys are unable to excrete acid effectively, leading to metabolic acidosis. The pH is low (acidotic) due to the accumulation of acids. The bicarbonate (HCO3-) is low (19 mEq/L) as the kidneys are unable to reabsorb and regenerate bicarbonate effectively. The PaCO2 is low (30 mm Hg) as the respiratory system compensates by increasing the respiratory rate to blow off carbon dioxide in an attempt to normalize the pH. Choices B, C, and D have pH values within normal range and do not reflect the expected acidosis in chronic kidney disease.
While assessing a client who is receiving continuous IV therapy via his left forearm, a nurse notes that the site is red, swollen, and painful and that the surrounding tissues are hard. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- A. Discontinue the existing IV line
- B. Apply warm compresses
- C. Elevate the extremity
- D. Notify the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct action is to discontinue the existing IV line first. This is crucial because the client is exhibiting signs of infiltration, which can lead to tissue damage and complications. By removing the IV line, further damage can be prevented. Applying warm compresses or elevating the extremity may not address the underlying issue and could potentially worsen the condition. Notifying the healthcare provider is important but should not be the first step in this situation.