A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has acute gout. The nurse should expect an increase in which of the following laboratory results?
- A. Chloride level
- B. Creatinine kinase
- C. Uric acid
- D. Intrinsic factor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Uric acid. In acute gout, there is an increase in uric acid levels due to the deposition of urate crystals in the joints, causing inflammation and pain. Elevated uric acid levels are a hallmark of gout.
A: Chloride level is not directly related to acute gout.
B: Creatinine kinase is a marker of muscle damage, not specific to gout.
D: Intrinsic factor is related to vitamin B12 absorption, not gout.
Therefore, the nurse should expect an increase in uric acid levels as the most appropriate laboratory result in a client with acute gout.
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A nurse in the emergency department is managing the care of a client who has an electrical shock injury. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- A. Obtain an ECG.
- B. Administer an opioid pain medication.
- C. Infuse IV fluids to maintain urine output at 75 mL/hr.
- D. Change dressings over the entrance and exit wounds.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Obtain an ECG. The first step in managing a client with an electrical shock injury is to assess for any cardiac complications, as electrical shock can cause arrhythmias. Obtaining an ECG will help the nurse identify any abnormal heart rhythms and determine the need for immediate intervention. Administering opioid pain medication (B) is not a priority as assessing the cardiac status takes precedence. Infusing IV fluids (C) is important but not the first priority. Changing dressings (D) can wait until the client's immediate medical needs are addressed.
A nurse is caring for a client who is 3 hours postoperative following a total knee arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent venous thromboembolism?
- A. Encourage the client to perform circumduction of the foot.
- B. Keep the client's knees in a flexed position while they lie in bed.
- C. Massage the client's legs every 4 hours while they are awake.
- D. Limit the client's fluid intake to 2,000 mL daily.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A. Encourage the client to perform circumduction of the foot.
Rationale:
1. Circumduction of the foot promotes blood flow in the lower extremity, preventing stasis and reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism.
2. This action helps in maintaining muscle tone and preventing blood clots in the postoperative period.
3. Encouraging mobility also prevents complications like deep vein thrombosis.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
B. Keeping the client's knees in a flexed position may restrict blood flow and increase the risk of thromboembolism.
C. Massaging the client's legs can dislodge blood clots and lead to embolism.
D. Limiting fluid intake can increase the risk of dehydration and thickening of blood, which can contribute to thrombus formation.
A nurse is assessing a client who has anorexia. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of malnutrition?
- A. Dry skin
- B. Alopecia
- C. Increased salivation
- D. Dolichocephaly
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Dry skin. Malnutrition can lead to a deficiency in essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals, causing skin to become dry and flaky. This occurs due to a lack of proper hydration and nourishment. Alopecia (B) is more commonly associated with conditions like stress or hormonal imbalances. Increased salivation (C) is not typically linked to malnutrition but can be seen in conditions like GERD. Dolichocephaly (D) refers to an elongated shape of the head and is not directly related to malnutrition. In summary, dry skin is a manifestation of malnutrition due to the lack of essential nutrients, while the other choices are more likely associated with different conditions or factors.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has heart failure and is to start therapy with digoxin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
- A. I will take my digoxin if my pulse is less than 50 beats per minute.
- B. I will take this medication with fiber to prevent constipation.
- C. I will increase my dose if my vision becomes blurred.
- D. I will notify my provider if I experience muscle weakness.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (D):
The correct answer is D because muscle weakness is a potential sign of digoxin toxicity. It is crucial for the client to notify the provider immediately to prevent serious complications. This statement indicates an understanding of the teaching regarding digoxin therapy.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
A: Incorrect. Taking digoxin with a pulse less than 50 beats per minute can lead to bradycardia and toxicity.
B: Incorrect. Taking digoxin with fiber may decrease its absorption, reducing its effectiveness.
C: Incorrect. Blurred vision is a sign of digoxin toxicity, and the dose should be decreased, not increased.
A nurse is assessing a client who has skeletal traction for a femoral fracture. The nurse notes that the weights are resting on the floor. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Remove one of the weights.
- B. Tie knots in the ropes near the pulleys to shorten them.
- C. Increase the elevation of the affected extremity.
- D. Reapply the weights to ensure proper traction.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to reapply the weights to ensure proper traction. This is crucial to maintain the intended pulling force required for the skeletal traction to be effective in realigning the fractured bone. If the weights are resting on the floor, it means that the traction is not being applied as intended, which can lead to ineffective treatment and potential complications. Removing a weight (choice A) would decrease the traction force, tying knots in the ropes (choice B) would alter the mechanics of the system, and increasing the elevation of the extremity (choice C) would not address the issue of weights resting on the floor. Therefore, the best course of action is to reapply the weights to ensure proper traction and alignment of the fractured bone.