The nurse who assesses the patient's peripheral IV site and notes edema around the insertion site will document which complication related to IV therapy?
- A. Air emboli
- B. Phlebitis
- C. Infiltration
- D. Fluid overload
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Infiltration is the administration of nonvesicant solution or medication into the surrounding tissue. This can occur when the IV cannula dislodges or perforates the wall of the vein. Infiltration is characterized by edema around the insertion site, leakage of IV fluid from the insertion site, discomfort and coolness in the area of infiltration, and a significant decrease in the flow rate.
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A nurse sees a variety of patients in the community health clinic. Which of the following patients would be at the greatest risk of dehydration?
- A. An 18-year-old basketball player with a stress fracture of the right foot
- B. An infant with diarrhea
- C. A 45-year-old with stomach flu
- D. An elderly patient living alone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
The nurse is admitting a patient with a suspected fluid imbalance. The most sensitive indicator of body fluid balance is:
- A. Daily weight
- B. Serum sodium levels
- C. Measured intake and output
- D. Blood pressure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Daily weights show trends and can assist medical management by indicating if interventions and medications are effective. Laboratory data are objective data that indicate whether electrolyte levels are within normal limits for the patient with fluid balance problems. However, if a patient is dehydrated, some laboratory data can show false elevations. Intake and output is extremely important, but matching the two is difficult because fluid is also lost through breathing, perspiration, stool, and surgical tubes. Vital signs may or may not be helpful because heart rate and blood pressure can be elevated by either depletion or excess of fluids in some situations.
A female patient is discharged from the hospital after having an episode of heart failure. She's prescribed daily oral doses of digoxin (Lanoxin) and furosemide (Lasix). Two days later, she tells her community health nurse that she feels weak and her heart 'flutters' frequently. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Tell the patient to rest more often.
- B. Tell the patient to stop taking the digoxin, and call the physician.
- C. Call the physician, report the symptoms, and request to draw a blood sample to determine the patient's potassium level.
- D. Tell the patient to avoid foods that contain caffeine.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic. A low potassium level may cause weakness and palpitations. Telling the patient to rest more often won't help the patient if she's hypokalemic. Digoxin isn't causing the patient's symptoms, so she doesn't need to stop taking it. The patient should probably avoid caffeine, but this wouldn't resolve potassium depletion.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is diaphoretic from a fever. The amount of sodium excreted in the urine will:
- A. Decrease
- B. Increase
- C. Remain unchanged
- D. Fluctuate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
What would be the best initial nursing actions prior to inserting an IV?
- A. Have the patient wash the hands.
- B. Prepare the IV insertion site with povidone iodine.
- C. Verify the order for IV therapy.
- D. Identify a suitable vein.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.