Laboratory Reference Ranges
Glucose (random)
71-200 mg/dL
(3.9-11.1 mmol/L)
The student nurse completes a clinical rotation in the emergency department. The instructor knows the student is able to prioritize care appropriately when the student visits which client first?
- A. 9 year-old crying with pain and swelling of the left ankle after a popping sound while playing soccer
- B. 29-year-old with neck swelling and increased pain 2 days after thyroidectomy
- C. 43-year-old with blood glucose of 423 mg/dL (23.5 mmol/L), dehydration, and trace ketones in urine
- D. 72-year-old who is incontinent with acute altered mental status and is yelling at staff
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Neck swelling and pain post-thyroidectomy suggest possible hematoma or airway compromise, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate assessment. Other conditions, while serious, are less immediately critical.
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Laboratory results
Glucose (fasting)
70-110 mg/dL
(3.9-6.1 mmol/L)
180 mg/dL
(10.0 mmol/L)
The nurse is preparing to administer insulin aspart subcutaneously at 0700 to a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of following actions would be a priority for the nurse to take?
- A. Choose a site on the clients arm for the injection
- B. Give the client breakfast within 15 minutes
- C. Recheck the capillary blood glucose level in 1 hour
- D. Reinforce teaching about signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin aspart is rapid-acting, peaking within 1-3 hours. Administering it at 0700 requires breakfast within 15 minutes to prevent hypoglycemia. Site selection is routine, rechecking glucose later is secondary, and teaching is not urgent.
The nurse is caring for a client with Cushing's syndrome. The nurse should carefully assess the client for signs of:
- A. Hypoglycemia
- B. Infection
- C. Hypovolemia
- D. Hyperinsulinemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing's syndrome causes immunosuppression, increasing infection risk . Hypoglycemia , hypovolemia , and hyperinsulinemia are not primary concerns.
An older adult is diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma. Which comment by the client indicates understanding of the management of the condition?
- A. I will take the eye drops every day.'
- B. I hope the medicine works and I am cured soon.'
- C. My wife is worried that I may give her glaucoma.'
- D. How long will it be before I need surgery?'
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Daily eye drops control intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma, a chronic condition, indicating understanding, unlike expecting a cure, contagiousness, or immediate surgery.
Which of the following medications would be least helpful for a client who is experiencing an acute attack of bronchial asthma?
- A. Cromolyn Sodium (Intal)
- B. Epinephrine (Epi-Pen)
- C. Metaproterenol (Alupent)
- D. Theophylline (Theolair)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cromolyn sodium prevents asthma attacks but is not effective for acute attacks. Epinephrine, metaproterenol, and theophylline provide rapid bronchodilation.
The nurse is caring for a client with deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity. Which of the following findings would the nurse expect to observe? Select all that apply.
- A. dry, shiny, hairless skin on the affected extremity
- B. warmth and redness of the affected extremity
- C. reports of pain in the affected calf
- D. edema of the affected extremity
- E. cyanosis of the affected toes
Correct Answer: B,C,D
Rationale: DVT causes inflammation, leading to warmth, redness, pain, and edema in the affected extremity. Dry, shiny, hairless skin and cyanosis are more typical of arterial insufficiency, not DVT.
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