A nurse is reviewing the laboratory report of a client who has been receiving lithium carbonate for the past 12 months. The nurse notes a lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L. Which of the following orders from the provider should the nurse expect?
- A. Withhold the next dose.
- B. Increase the dosage.
- C. Discontinue the medication.
- D. Administer the medication.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Administering the medication is appropriate for a stable lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L. A level of 0.8 mEq/L falls within the therapeutic range for lithium, indicating that the client is receiving an adequate dose to maintain therapeutic effects. Withholding the next dose, increasing the dosage, or discontinuing the medication would not be indicated at this lithium level as it is within the desired range for therapeutic benefit. Therefore, the correct action would be to continue administering the medication to ensure the client maintains the therapeutic level of lithium.
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A client is taking sucralfate. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?
- A. I should take this medication 1 hour before meals.
- B. I should take this medication 30 minutes after meals.
- C. I should take this medication only when I have symptoms of heartburn.
- D. I should take this medication with a glass of milk.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Sucralfate is most effective when taken 1 hour before meals to protect the stomach lining. Option B is incorrect because sucralfate should not be taken after meals. Option C is incorrect because sucralfate is typically taken on a regular schedule, not just when symptoms occur. Option D is incorrect because sucralfate should not be taken with milk, as it can interfere with its effectiveness.
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure receiving digoxin. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
- A. Heart rate 60/min.
- B. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg.
- C. Serum potassium 4 mEq/L.
- D. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. A blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg is a finding that the nurse should report to the provider when caring for a client with heart failure receiving digoxin. Digoxin can cause hypotension, so a low blood pressure reading should be reported promptly to the provider for further evaluation and management. Choices A, C, and D are within normal ranges and would not require immediate reporting. A heart rate of 60/min is considered normal, but any further decrease should be monitored. A serum potassium level of 4 mEq/L is also within the normal range. A blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg is typically considered normal as well.
A client with a new diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is being cared for by a nurse. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
- A. Joint pain.
- B. Weight gain.
- C. Butterfly-shaped rash on the face.
- D. Increased appetite.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Weight gain. Weight gain is a common finding in clients with systemic lupus erythematosus due to fluid retention. Joint pain (choice A) is also common in SLE but is not specific to fluid retention. A butterfly-shaped rash on the face (choice C) is a classic symptom of SLE but is not related to fluid retention. Increased appetite (choice D) is less likely in SLE compared to weight gain.
A nurse is caring for a client who has experienced a stroke and has aphasia. Which of the following communication strategies should the nurse use?
- A. Speak louder to help the client understand
- B. Speak using simple sentences and gestures
- C. Use a picture board to facilitate communication
- D. Have the client practice writing words down
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to use a picture board to facilitate communication. Aphasia can make it challenging for individuals to understand and use language. Using a picture board can help the client convey their needs and understand information more effectively. Speaking louder (A) may not be helpful as aphasia is not related to hearing loss. While speaking using simple sentences and gestures (B) can be beneficial, using a picture board (C) is a more concrete and visual method to support communication for individuals with aphasia. Having the client practice writing words down (D) may not be suitable if the client's expressive language skills are impaired due to aphasia.
A nurse is caring for a client who is newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has questions about the disease. To research, the nurse should identify which of the following electronic databases has the most comprehensive collection of nursing articles?
- A. MEDLINE
- B. CINAHL
- C. ProQuest
- D. Health Source
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, CINAHL. CINAHL is specifically dedicated to nursing and allied health literature, making it the most appropriate database for nursing articles and research. It provides a comprehensive collection of nursing-related articles, journals, and research studies, which are essential for evidence-based practice. MEDLINE, on the other hand, is a valuable resource for medical literature but is not as nursing-focused as CINAHL. ProQuest and Health Source cover a wider range of subjects beyond nursing, so they are not as comprehensive when it comes to nursing-specific articles and research. Therefore, for the nurse looking to access a database with a vast collection of nursing articles, CINAHL is the most suitable option.