The healthcare provider is caring for a client with hypokalemia. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
- A. Muscle weakness.
- B. Irregular heart rate.
- C. Increased urinary output.
- D. Decreased deep tendon reflexes.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Decreased deep tendon reflexes are a critical finding in hypokalemia that indicates severe potassium deficiency affecting neuromuscular function. Immediate intervention is necessary to prevent life-threatening complications such as respiratory failure or cardiac arrhythmias. Muscle weakness, irregular heart rate, and increased urinary output are also associated with hypokalemia but do not pose the same level of urgency as decreased deep tendon reflexes.
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In a community clinic where a recent case of tuberculosis (TB) has been diagnosed, which client who attended the clinic is at the highest risk for presenting with TB?
- A. a young adult who works as a daycare worker
- B. an adult who works in a corporate office
- C. an adolescent who attends the community high school
- D. an adult with a history of alcoholism and homelessness
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Individuals who are homeless and have a history of alcoholism are at the highest risk for presenting with TB in this scenario. Homeless individuals often live in crowded conditions with poor ventilation, increasing the likelihood of TB transmission. Additionally, alcoholism can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to developing TB. The other options, such as a daycare worker, an office worker, or a high school student, do not inherently carry the same level of risk factors for TB transmission as being homeless with a history of alcoholism.
In conducting a health assessment for a family with a history of cardiovascular disease, which family member should be prioritized for further evaluation and intervention?
- A. a 45-year-old father who smokes and has high cholesterol
- B. a 17-year-old daughter who is overweight and inactive
- C. a 50-year-old mother with a history of hypertension
- D. a 12-year-old son who has a normal weight and is active
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The 45-year-old father who smokes and has high cholesterol is at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease due to multiple risk factors. Smoking and high cholesterol are significant contributors to the development of cardiovascular issues. Prioritizing his evaluation and intervention is crucial to address these modifiable risk factors. The other family members, though they may have risk factors as well, do not present with the same level of immediate risk based on the information provided.
A public health nurse is working with a community to improve access to healthcare services. Which intervention is most likely to be effective?
- A. Setting up mobile clinics in underserved areas
- B. Distributing flyers with information about local clinics
- C. Offering transportation vouchers for medical appointments
- D. Partnering with local businesses to provide healthcare discounts
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Setting up mobile clinics in underserved areas is the most effective intervention to improve access to healthcare services. Mobile clinics directly bring healthcare services to the community, making it convenient for residents to access care without having to travel long distances. Distributing flyers may increase awareness but may not address the barriers to access. Offering transportation vouchers helps with one aspect of access but does not directly provide healthcare services. Partnering with local businesses for discounts may not address the primary issue of physical access to healthcare services in underserved areas.
A male client leaves his job at a nearby restaurant and visits the health clinic where he is diagnosed with viral conjunctivitis. While receiving discharge instructions from the nurse, the client states that he is feeling much better and plans to return to work for the afternoon shift. How should the nurse respond?
- A. advise the client to wear a face mask around other people
- B. ask the client what type of work he does at the restaurant
- C. instruct the client to use dark glasses if lighting is bright
- D. explain that the client should stay home for the next few days
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: explain that the client should stay home for the next few days. Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious, and the client should avoid close contact with others until it resolves. Returning to work while still contagious can lead to the spread of the infection to coworkers and customers. Choice A is incorrect because wearing a face mask may not provide sufficient protection against spreading the virus in a close work environment. Choice B is irrelevant to the situation as the focus should be on the client's health and preventing the spread of the infection. Choice C is also unrelated to the management of viral conjunctivitis and does not address the contagious nature of the condition.
The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a client who is newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Which instruction should the nurse include?
- A. Take levothyroxine (Synthroid) at bedtime.
- B. Increase fiber intake to prevent constipation.
- C. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
- D. Take a double dose if a dose is missed.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct instruction for a client newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism is to take the medication on an empty stomach. This is important because taking levothyroxine on an empty stomach ensures better absorption of the medication. Choice A, taking levothyroxine at bedtime, is incorrect as it does not promote optimal absorption. Choice B, increasing fiber intake to prevent constipation, is important but not the priority when it comes to medication administration. Choice D, taking a double dose if a dose is missed, is dangerous and should never be advised as it can lead to overdose and serious side effects.