The nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client who is receiving torsemide 5 mg orally daily. What value should indicate to the nurse that the client might be experiencing an adverse effect of the medication?
- A. A chloride level of 98 mEq/L (98 mmol/L)
- B. A sodium level of 135 mEq/L (135 mmol/L)
- C. A potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L (3.1 mmol/L)
- D. A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 15 mg/dL (5.4 mmol/L)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Torsemide is a loop diuretic. The medication can produce acute, profound water loss; volume and electrolyte depletion; dehydration; decreased blood volume; and circulatory collapse. Option 3 is the only option that indicates electrolyte depletion because the normal potassium level is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L). The normal chloride level is 98 to 107 mEq/L (98 to 107 mmol/L). The normal sodium level is 135 to 145 mEq/L (135 to 145 mmol/L). The normal BUN level ranges from 10 to 20 mg/dL (3.6 to 7.1 mmol/L).
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A client is receiving desmopressin intranasally. Which assessment parameters should the nurse monitor to determine the effectiveness of this medication?
- A. Daily weight
- B. Temperature
- C. Apical heart rate
- D. Pupillary response
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Desmopressin is an analog of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone). It is used in the management of diabetes insipidus. The nurse monitors the client's fluid balance to determine the effectiveness of the medication. Fluid status can be evaluated by noting intake and urine output, daily weight, and the presence of edema. The measurements in options 2, 3, and 4 are not related to this medication.
A child hospitalized with a diagnosis of lead poisoning is prescribed chelation therapy. The nurse caring for the child should prepare to administer which medication?
- A. Ipecac syrup
- B. Activated charcoal
- C. Sodium bicarbonate
- D. Calcium disodium edetate (EDTA)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: EDTA is a chelating agent that is used to treat lead poisoning. Ipecac syrup may be prescribed by the primary health care provider for use in the hospital setting but would not be used to treat lead poisoning. Activated charcoal is used to decrease absorption in certain poisoning situations. Sodium bicarbonate may be used in salicylate poisoning.
The nurse admits a client with a suspected diagnosis of bulimia nervosa. While performing the admission assessment, the nurse expects to elicit which data about the client's beliefs?
- A. Is accepting of body size
- B. Views purging as an accepted behavior
- C. Overeats for the enjoyment of eating food
- D. Overeats in response to losing control of diet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Individuals with bulimia nervosa develop cycles of binge eating, followed by purging. They seldom attempt to diet and have no sense of loss of control. Options 1, 3, and 4 are true of the obese person who may binge eat (not purge).
A primary health care provider prescribes 1000 mL of normal saline to infuse at 100 mL/hour. The drop factor is 10 drops/mL. The nurse should set the flow rate at how many drops per minute?
Correct Answer: 17
Rationale: It will take 10 hours for 1000 mL to infuse at 100 mL/hour (1000 mL ÷ 100 mL = 10 hour × 60 min = 600 min). Next, use the intravenous (IV) flow rate formula. Formula: Total volume × Drop factor ÷ Time in minutes. 1000 mL × 10 Drops/mL = 10,000 ÷ 600 min = 16.6, or 17 Drops/minute.
When a client's nasogastric (NG) tube stops draining, which intervention should the nurse implement to maintain client safety?
- A. Instill 10 to 20 mL of fluid to dislodge any clots.
- B. Verify the tube placement according to agency procedure.
- C. Clamp the tube for 2 hours to allow the drainage to accumulate.
- D. Retract the tube by 2 inches to be above and possible obstruction.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: If a client's nasogastric tube stops draining, the nurse verifies placement first to ensure that the tube remains in the stomach. After checking placement and verifying a prescription for tube irrigation, the nurse irrigates the tube with 30 to 60 mL of the fluid per agency procedure. Clamping the tube increases the risk of aspiration and is contraindicated; besides, this intervention cannot unclog a tube. Retracting the tube may displace the tube and place the client at risk for aspiration.
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