Nokea
An 80 year-old client is admitted with a diagnosis of malnutrition. In addition to physical assessments, which of the following lab tests should be closely monitored?
- A. Urine protein
- B. Urine creatinine
- C. Serum calcium
- D. Serum albumin
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Serum albumin. Serum albumin is a valuable indicator of protein deficiency and, later, nutritional status in adults. A normal reading for an elder's serum albumin is between 3.0-5.0 g/dl.
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The client in the intensive care department has a nasogastric tube for continuous feedings. The nurse is preparing to administer nifedipine (Procardia XL) via the N/G tube. Which procedure should the nurse follow?
- A. Crush the medication and dissolve it in water.
- B. Administer and flush the N/G tube with cranberry juice.
- C. Give the medication orally with pudding.
- D. Do not administer the medication and notify the HCP.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Procardia XL is extended-release and cannot be crushed or given via NG tube; HCP notification is needed for an alternative form.
A nurse is assigned to perform well-child assessments at a day care center. A staff member interrupts the examinations to ask for assistance. They find a crying 3 year-old child on the floor with mouth wide open and gums bleeding. Two unlabeled open bottles lie nearby. The nurse's first action should be
- A. call the poison control center, then 911
- B. administer syrup of Ipecac to induce vomiting
- C. give the child milk to coat her stomach
- D. ask the staff about the contents of the bottles
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: ask the staff about the contents of the bottles. The nurse needs to assess what the child ingested before determining the next action. Once the substance is identified, the poison control center and emergency response team should be called.
The client diagnosed with asthma is prescribed the mast cell inhibitor cromolyn. Which statement by the client indicates the need for further teaching?
- A. I will take two puffs of my inhaler before I exercise.
- B. I will rinse my mouth with water after taking the medication.
- C. After inhaling the medication, I will hold my breath for 10 seconds.
- D. When I start to wheeze, I will use my inhaler immediately.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Cromolyn is a prophylactic, not rescue, medication for asthma; using it during wheezing indicates misunderstanding. Pre-exercise use, breath-holding, and rinsing (though less critical) are correct.
The client in end-stage renal disease is a Jehovah's Witness. The HCP orders erythropoietin (Epogen), a biologic response modifier, subcutaneously for anemia. Which action should the nurse take?
- A. Question this order because of the client's religion.
- B. Encourage the client to talk to his or her minister.
- C. Administer the medication subcutaneously as ordered.
- D. Obtain the informed consent prior to administering.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Epogen is synthetic, not blood-derived, so it’s acceptable for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Administer as ordered; questioning, minister consultation, or consent are unnecessary.
Penicillin V potassium (Pen-Vee-K) 500 mg PO qid is ordered for an adult client. He reports that he took penicillin for the first time two months ago. What should the nurse do?
- A. Be sure that skin testing for a penicillin allergy has been done
- B. Observe for signs of an allergic response
- C. Withhold the penicillin
- D. Notify the physician
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client does not have a history of allergic response to penicillin, so there is no need to skin test or withhold the medication. However, allergic responses often occur after the first administration.