HESI Medical Surgical Practice Quiz

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The nurse is caring for a newly admitted patient who has severe gastroenteritis. The patient's electrolytes reveal a serum sodium level of 140 mEq/L and a serum potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L. The nurse receives an order for intravenous 5% dextrose and normal saline with 20 mEq/L potassium chloride to infuse at 125 mL per hour. Which action is necessary prior to administering this fluid?

  • A. Evaluate the patient's urine output.
  • B. Contact the provider to order arterial blood gases.
  • C. Request an order for an initial potassium bolus.
  • D. Suggest a diet low in sodium and potassium.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Prior to administering IV fluids containing potassium, it is crucial to evaluate the patient's urine output. If the urine output is less than 25 mL/hr or 600 mL/day, there is a risk of potassium accumulation. Patients with low urine output should not receive IV potassium to prevent potential complications. Contacting the provider for arterial blood gases is unnecessary in this scenario as it does not directly relate to the administration of IV fluids with potassium. Administering potassium as a bolus is not recommended due to potential adverse effects. While dietary considerations are important, suggesting a low-sodium and low-potassium diet is not the immediate action required before administering IV fluids with potassium chloride.

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A client who underwent surgery and experienced significant blood loss is being cared for by a nurse. Which findings by the nurse should prompt immediate action to prevent acute kidney injury? (Select all that apply.)

  • A. Urine output of 100 mL in 4 hours
  • B. Large amount of sediment in the urine
  • C. A & B
  • D. Amber, odorless urine
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The nurse must monitor for signs of acute kidney injury in a postoperative client who had major blood loss. Low urine output, presence of sediment in the urine, and low blood pressure should raise concerns and be reported to the healthcare provider promptly. Postoperatively, assessing urine characteristics is crucial. Sediment, hematuria, and urine output less than 0.5 mL/kg/hour for 3 to 4 hours should be reported. While a urine output of 100 mL in 4 hours is low, it should be compared to the recommended 0.5 mL/kg/hour over a longer period. Perfusion to the kidneys is a priority, hence the importance of addressing low blood pressure. Amber, odorless urine is considered normal and does not indicate an immediate concern for acute kidney injury, unlike low urine output and presence of sediment.

A healthcare professional is reviewing the results of renal function testing in a client with renal calculi. Which finding indicates to the healthcare professional that the client's blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level is within the normal range?

  • A. 2 mg/dL
  • B. 18 mg/dL
  • C. 25 mg/dL
  • D. 35 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

After pericardiocentesis for cardiac tamponade, for which signs should the nurse assess the client to determine if tamponade is recurring?

  • A. Decreasing pulse
  • B. Rising blood pressure
  • C. Distant muffled heart sounds
  • D. Falling central venous pressure (CVP)
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: After pericardiocentesis for cardiac tamponade, the nurse should assess for distant muffled heart sounds that were noted before the procedure. If these sounds return, it could indicate recurring pericardial effusion and potential tamponade. Therefore, the correct answer is the return of distant muffled heart sounds (Option C). Decreasing pulse (Option A) and falling central venous pressure (Option D) are not specific signs of recurring tamponade. Rising blood pressure (Option B) is also not a typical sign of tamponade recurrence; in fact, hypotension is more commonly associated with tamponade.

A client with histoplasmosis has the following arterial blood gas (ABG) results: pH 7.30, PCO2 58 mm Hg, PO2 75 mm Hg, HCO3 27 mEq/L. Which of the following acid-base disturbances does the nurse recognize in these results?

  • A. Metabolic acidosis
  • B. Metabolic alkalosis
  • C. Respiratory acidosis
  • D. Respiratory alkalosis
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The client's ABG results show a low pH (acidosis) and an elevated PCO2, indicating respiratory acidosis. In respiratory acidosis, there is inadequate excretion of CO2, leading to increased PCO2 levels and a decrease in pH. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Metabolic acidosis'. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by elevated pH and bicarbonate levels. Respiratory acidosis involves low pH and high PCO2 levels, as seen in this case. Respiratory alkalosis is associated with high pH and low PCO2 levels.

The healthcare professional is reviewing a patient's chart prior to administering gentamicin (Garamycin) and notes that the last serum peak drug level was 9 mcg/mL and the last trough level was 2 mcg/mL. What action will the healthcare professional take?

  • A. Administer the next dose as prescribed.
  • B. Obtain repeat peak and trough levels before administering the next dose.
  • C. Report potential drug toxicity to the patient's healthcare provider.
  • D. Notify the patient's healthcare provider of decreased drug therapeutic level.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Gentamicin peak levels should ideally be between 5 to 8 mcg/mL, and trough levels should be within the range of 0.5 to 2 mcg/mL to ensure therapeutic efficacy while minimizing toxicity risk. In this case, the patient's peak level is above the recommended range, and the trough level is at the higher end, indicating potential drug toxicity. Therefore, the correct action for the healthcare professional is to report the possibility of drug toxicity to the patient's healthcare provider. Administering the next dose as prescribed (Choice A) would exacerbate the toxicity risk. Obtaining repeat peak and trough levels (Choice B) may confirm the current levels but does not address the immediate concern of potential toxicity. Reporting a decreased drug therapeutic level (Choice D) is not the priority in this scenario, as the focus should be on addressing the potential toxicity issue.

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