Nokea
When evaluating the lab work of a client in hepatic coma, which of the following lab tests is most important?
- A. blood urea nitrogen
- B. serum calcium
- C. serum ammonia
- D. serum creatinine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a client is in hepatic coma due to liver failure, the liver cannot metabolize amino acids completely, leading to elevated ammonia levels. Increased ammonia can cause brain-tissue irritation, worsening the coma. Therefore, monitoring serum ammonia levels is crucial in assessing the severity of hepatic coma. Choices A, B, and D are less relevant in the context of hepatic coma. Blood urea nitrogen primarily assesses kidney function, serum calcium levels are not directly related to hepatic coma, and serum creatinine is more indicative of kidney function rather than liver function in this scenario.
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A client with major head trauma is receiving bolus enteral feeding. The most important nursing order for this client is:
- A. measure intake and output.
- B. check albumin levels.
- C. monitor glucose levels.
- D. increase enteral feeding.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct action for a client with major head trauma receiving bolus enteral feeding is to measure intake and output (I&O). Enteral feedings are hyperosmotic agents that can cause fluid shifts. Monitoring I&O is crucial to assess fluid balance, ensuring that input matches output. Checking albumin levels (choice B) is important for assessing nutritional status but is not the immediate priority in this situation. Monitoring glucose levels (choice C) is also important but not as critical as measuring I&O in this context. Increasing enteral feeding (choice D) should only be done based on a healthcare provider's order after assessing the patient's condition, not as the most important nursing order at this time.
Which of the following is responsible for laws mandating the reporting of certain infections and diseases?
- A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- B. individual state laws
- C. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- D. Health and Human Services (HHS)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Individual state laws mandate the reporting of infectious diseases. The list of reportable diseases varies from state to state and is overseen by state health departments. While the CDC plays a significant role in disease surveillance, reporting infectious diseases is primarily governed by individual state laws. The CDC's role is to provide support, guidance, and expertise to state health departments. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) primarily focus on biomedical and health-related research, not on mandating disease reporting. Health and Human Services (HHS) is a federal department that oversees various agencies, but the responsibility for mandating disease reporting lies with individual states.
What should be the first action upon the discovery of an electrical fire?
- A. Disconnect the electrical power if it can be done safely
- B. Smother the source with an object like a blanket
- C. Saturate the source with water or another liquid
- D. Immediately activate the fire alarm
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct initial action upon discovering an electrical fire is to disconnect the electrical power if it can be done safely. This helps prevent the fire from spreading through the electrical system. Smothering the fire with a blanket is not recommended for electrical fires as it can fuel the fire. Saturating the source with water or other liquids is also not advised as it can lead to electric shock or spread the fire. Activating the fire alarm is important, but it should be done after disconnecting the power to prevent further escalation of the fire.
After undergoing gastric resection, the client is informed by the nurse that which of the following meals is most likely to cause rapid emptying of the stomach?
- A. a high-protein meal
- B. a high-fat meal
- C. a large meal regardless of nutrient content
- D. a high-carbohydrate meal
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: After gastric resection, meals high in carbohydrates are more likely to cause rapid emptying of the stomach. Carbohydrates stimulate the release of gastrin, which accelerates gastric emptying. On the other hand, high-fat and high-protein meals tend to delay gastric emptying. A large meal, regardless of nutrient content, can also delay gastric emptying due to the increased volume of food that needs to be processed.
What information does the healthcare provider remember regarding do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders in this scenario?
- A. That a DNR order may be written by a healthcare provider
- B. That everything possible must be done if the client stops breathing
- C. That medications only may be given to the client if the client stops breathing
- D. That life support measures will have to be implemented if the client stops breathing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In a situation where a client has no family members and the client's wife is mentally incompetent, the healthcare provider may write a DNR order if it is deemed medically certain that resuscitation would be futile. A DNR order is a medical directive that instructs healthcare providers not to perform CPR if a patient's heart stops or if the patient stops breathing. Option A is correct because a DNR order can indeed be issued by a healthcare provider under certain circumstances, as it is a medical decision. Options B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the concept of DNR orders and the decision-making process involved in such situations.