Emil, just had a thyroidectomy this morning. Upon awakening, he complains of circumoral tingling, has a positive Chvostek’s sign and positive Trousseau’s sign. Nurse Ofel assesses this to be an indication of:
- A. Overstimulation of the parathyroid hormone
- B. Insufficient iodine intake
- C. inadvertent removal of the parathyroid
- D. Overuse of radioactive iodine gland
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is A, overstimulation of the parathyroid hormone. After a thyroidectomy, there is a risk of unintentional damage to the parathyroid glands, leading to hypoparathyroidism. Circumoral tingling, positive Chvostek’s sign, and positive Trousseau’s sign are classic signs of hypocalcemia resulting from parathyroid insufficiency. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not explain the specific symptoms observed in Emil, which are indicative of low calcium levels due to parathyroid dysfunction.
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A client is scheduled for a prostatectomy, and the anesthesiologist plans to use a spinal (sub-arachnoid) block during surgery. In the operating room, the nurse positions the client according to the anesthesiologist’s instructions. Why does the client require special positioning for this type of anesthesia?
- A. To prevent confusion
- B. To prevent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage
- C. To prevent seizures
- D. To prevent cardiac arrhythmias
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: To prevent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage.
1. Positioning is crucial to prevent CSF leakage as the spinal block is administered into the sub-arachnoid space where CSF is present.
2. Incorrect Answers:
A: Positioning is not related to preventing confusion in this context.
C: Seizures are not typically associated with spinal block anesthesia.
D: Cardiac arrhythmias are not directly impacted by the client's positioning for a spinal block.
Which of the following responses indicates sympathetic nervous system function?
- A. Tachycardia, dilated pupils
- B. Hypoglycaemia, headache
- C. Increased peristalsis, abdominal cramping
- D. Pupil constriction, bronchoconstriction
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because tachycardia (increased heart rate) and dilated pupils are classic responses of the sympathetic nervous system activation. Sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the fight or flight response, leading to increased heart rate and dilated pupils to prepare the body for quick action.
Choice B is incorrect because hypoglycemia and headache are not specific to sympathetic nervous system function. Choice C is incorrect because increased peristalsis and abdominal cramping are more indicative of parasympathetic nervous system activity. Choice D is incorrect because pupil constriction and bronchoconstriction are actions of the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for rest and digest functions.
The nurse is caring for a client with type I diabetes mellitus who exhibits confusion, light-headedness, and aberrant behavior. The client is still conscious. The nurse should first administer:
- A. I.M. or subcutaneous glucagon.
- B. I.V. bolus of dextrose 50%.
- C. 15 to 20 g of a fast-acting carbohydrate such as orange juice.
- D. 10 U of fast-acting insulin.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 15 to 20 g of a fast-acting carbohydrate such as orange juice. In this scenario, the client is experiencing hypoglycemia, which can lead to confusion and abnormal behavior. Administering fast-acting carbohydrates like orange juice will help quickly raise the blood sugar levels. This is the first-line treatment for conscious patients with hypoglycemia.
Choice A (I.M. or subcutaneous glucagon) is used for unconscious patients or when oral intake is not possible. Choice B (I.V. bolus of dextrose 50%) is too aggressive for a conscious patient and may lead to complications. Choice D (10 U of fast-acting insulin) would further lower the blood sugar levels and worsen the situation.
Administering fast-acting carbohydrates is the safest and most effective approach for conscious patients with hypoglycemia to quickly raise their blood sugar levels and resolve their symptoms.
Which method of data collection will the nurse use to establish a patient’s database?
- A. Reviewing the current literature to determine evidence-based nursing actions
- B. Checking orders for diagnostic and laboratory tests
- C. Performing a physical examination
- D. Ordering medications
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because performing a physical examination is the method nurses use to establish a patient's database. This involves directly assessing the patient's physical condition, gathering data on their health status, and identifying any abnormalities or concerns. Reviewing literature (A) is important but not a direct method of collecting patient data. Checking orders for tests (B) is part of data collection but not the initial step. Ordering medications (D) is a treatment action, not data collection.
The nurse is teaching a client who will be discharged soon how to change a sterile dressing on the right leg. During the teaching session, the nurse notices redness, swelling and induration at the wound site. What do these signs suggest?
- A. Infection
- B. Evisceration
- C. Dehiscence
- D. Hemorrhage
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The presence of redness, swelling, and induration at the wound site are indicative of infection. Redness and swelling suggest inflammation, while induration indicates tissue hardening and can be a sign of infection spreading. Infection can delay healing and lead to complications if not treated promptly. Evisceration refers to wound opening with protrusion of internal organs, not indicated by the symptoms. Dehiscence is the partial or complete separation of wound layers, not represented by the symptoms. Hemorrhage involves excessive bleeding, which is not described in the scenario. Therefore, choice A is correct as it aligns with the signs observed and is the most appropriate response for the situation.