What should a healthcare provider monitor for in a patient with hypokalemia?
- A. Monitor for muscle weakness
- B. Monitor for bradycardia
- C. Check deep tendon reflexes
- D. Monitor for hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Muscle weakness is a common symptom of hypokalemia and should be closely monitored in affected patients. Hypokalemia is a condition characterized by low potassium levels in the blood, which can lead to muscle weakness, cramps, and even paralysis. While bradycardia (slow heart rate) can be associated with severe hypokalemia, monitoring for muscle weakness is more specific to the condition. Checking deep tendon reflexes is not typically a primary monitoring parameter for hypokalemia. Monitoring for hyperglycemia is not directly related to hypokalemia, as hypokalemia is primarily associated with potassium levels in the blood.
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What is the priority action when a healthcare professional misreads a glucose reading and administers excess insulin?
- A. Administer IV glucose
- B. Monitor for hyperglycemia
- C. Monitor for hypoglycemia
- D. Document the incident
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The priority action when a healthcare professional misreads a glucose reading and administers excess insulin is to monitor for hypoglycemia. Excess insulin can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), which can result in serious complications. Monitoring for hypoglycemia allows for timely identification and intervention to prevent harm. Administering IV glucose may be necessary if hypoglycemia occurs. Monitoring for hyperglycemia is not the priority in this situation, as excess insulin would lower blood sugar levels. Documenting the incident is important for reporting and quality improvement purposes but should not take precedence over ensuring patient safety by monitoring for hypoglycemia.
What should a healthcare provider teach a patient who has experienced an acute episode of gastritis?
- A. Avoid foods high in potassium
- B. Avoid foods high in sodium
- C. Increase exercise to reduce stress
- D. Drink milk as a snack
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Avoid foods high in potassium. During an acute episode of gastritis, it is advisable to avoid foods high in potassium as they can exacerbate symptoms. Potassium-rich foods may irritate the stomach lining, leading to increased discomfort. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Avoiding foods high in sodium is not specifically related to managing gastritis. Increasing exercise to reduce stress is a good general recommendation but not directly related to managing gastritis symptoms. Drinking milk as a snack is not recommended for gastritis as dairy products can sometimes worsen symptoms due to their fat content.
What is the primary nursing action for a patient experiencing continuous bubbling in the chest tube water seal chamber?
- A. Tighten the connections of the chest tube system
- B. Clamp the chest tube
- C. Continue monitoring the chest tube
- D. Replace the chest tube system
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to tighten the connections of the chest tube system. Continuous bubbling in the chest tube water seal chamber indicates an air leak. By tightening the connections of the chest tube system, the nurse can often resolve the issue by ensuring there are no loose connections allowing air to enter. Clamping the chest tube or replacing the chest tube system are not appropriate actions in this situation. Clamping the tube can cause a dangerous buildup of pressure, while replacing the system should only be considered if tightening the connections does not resolve the air leak.
A nurse is administering insulin to a patient after misreading their glucose as 210 mg/dL instead of 120 mg/dL. What should the nurse monitor for?
- A. Monitor for hypoglycemia
- B. Monitor for hyperkalemia
- C. Administer glucose IV
- D. Document the incident
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor for hypoglycemia. Insulin administration based on a misread glucose level can lead to hypoglycemia due to the unnecessary lowering of blood sugar levels. Monitoring for hypoglycemia involves assessing the patient's blood glucose levels frequently, observing for signs and symptoms such as shakiness, confusion, sweating, and administering glucose if hypoglycemia occurs. Choice B, monitoring for hyperkalemia, is incorrect as insulin administration typically lowers potassium levels. Choice C, administering glucose IV, is not the immediate action needed as the patient could potentially develop hypoglycemia from the excess insulin. Choice D, documenting the incident, is important but not the immediate priority when dealing with a potential hypoglycemic event.
What is the correct response when a patient receiving an enema reports abdominal cramping?
- A. Lower the height of the enema container
- B. Stop the enema procedure
- C. Remove the enema tubing
- D. Continue the enema at a slower rate
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct response when a patient receiving an enema reports abdominal cramping is to lower the height of the enema container. Lowering the height reduces the flow rate, which can help relieve cramping. Stopping the procedure (choice B) may not be necessary if adjusting the height resolves the issue. Removing the enema tubing (choice C) is not the initial step to take when addressing abdominal cramping during an enema. Continuing the enema at a slower rate (choice D) might not be as effective as lowering the height of the container to alleviate cramping.