Which of the following are appropriate nursing interventions for the patient in myxedema coma? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Administer levothyroxine as prescribed.
- B. Encourage the intake of foods high in sodium.
- C. Initiate passive rewarming interventions.
- D. Monitor airway and respiratory effort.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
1. Administering levothyroxine is crucial in treating myxedema coma as it helps replace the deficient thyroid hormone.
2. This intervention addresses the underlying cause of myxedema coma, which is severe hypothyroidism.
3. Levothyroxine administration can help reverse the symptoms of myxedema coma and improve the patient's condition.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
- B: Encouraging high sodium intake is not appropriate as myxedema coma is associated with fluid retention and sodium may exacerbate this.
- C: Passive rewarming interventions are not relevant for myxedema coma, as the condition is not typically related to hypothermia.
- D: While monitoring airway and respiratory effort is important in general patient care, it is not a specific intervention for myxedema coma.
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The nurse is caring for a patient with head trauma who was admitted to the surgical intensive care unit following a motorcycle crash. What is an important assessment that will assist the nurse in early identification of an endocrine disorder commonly associated with this condition?
- A. Daily weight
- B. Fingerstick glucose
- C. Lung sound auscultation
- D. Urine osmolality
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Urine osmolality. In head trauma patients, the risk of developing diabetes insipidus (DI) is high due to damage to the posterior pituitary. Monitoring urine osmolality helps identify DI early, as low urine osmolality indicates impaired concentration ability. This is crucial for prompt treatment to prevent dehydration. Choices A and B are important but not specific to endocrine disorders. Choice C is relevant for respiratory assessment, not endocrine disorders.
Slow continuous ultrafiltration is also known as isolated ultrafiltration and is used to
- A. remove plasma water in cases of volume overload.
- B. remove fluids and solutes through the process of convection.
- C. remove plasma water and solutes by adding dialysate.
- D. combine ultrafiltration, convection, and dialysis.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale:
Slow continuous ultrafiltration is a method used to remove excess plasma water in cases of volume overload, making choice A the correct answer. This process does not involve adding dialysate (choice C) or combining ultrafiltration, convection, and dialysis (choice D). While ultrafiltration does involve the removal of fluids and solutes, it is primarily achieved through ultrafiltration rather than convection (choice B).
The nurse is assigned to care for a patient who presented to the emergency department with diabetic ketoacidosis. A continuous insulin intravenous infusion is started, and hourly bedside glucose monitoring is ordered. The targeted blood glucose value after the first hour of therapy is
- A. 70 to 120 mg/dL.
- B. a decrease of 25 to 50 mg/dL compared with admitting values.
- C. a decrease of 35 to 90 mg/dL compared with admitting values.
- D. less than 200 mg/dL.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: a decrease of 35 to 90 mg/dL compared with admitting values. In diabetic ketoacidosis, there is severe hyperglycemia which needs to be corrected gradually to prevent complications like cerebral edema. A rapid decrease in glucose levels can lead to osmotic shifts and neurological issues. The targeted decrease of 35 to 90 mg/dL is considered safe and effective in managing hyperglycemia in these patients. This range ensures a controlled reduction in blood glucose levels without causing harm.
Choice A (70 to 120 mg/dL) is too broad and may lead to overly aggressive treatment. Choice B (a decrease of 25 to 50 mg/dL) is too conservative and may not adequately address the high glucose levels seen in diabetic ketoacidosis. Choice D (less than 200 mg/dL) does not provide a specific target range for glucose reduction, which is essential in managing diabetic ketoacidosis effectively.
The most significant clinical finding of acute adrenal crisis associated with fluid and electrolyte imbalance is
- A. fluid volume excess.
- B. hyperglycemia.
- C. hyperkalemia
- D. hypernatremia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for the correct answer (C: hyperkalemia):
1. Adrenal crisis leads to adrenal insufficiency, causing decreased cortisol levels.
2. Cortisol plays a crucial role in regulating potassium levels.
3. With decreased cortisol, potassium levels can rise, leading to hyperkalemia.
4. Hyperkalemia can result in life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
Summary:
A: Fluid volume excess is not typical in adrenal crisis.
B: Hyperglycemia can be present but is not the most significant finding.
D: Hypernatremia is not a typical feature of adrenal crisis.
A patient is receiving hydrocortisone sodium succinate for adrenal crisis. What other medication does the nurse prepare to administer?
- A. Regular insulin
- B. A proton pump inhibitor
- C. Canagliflozin
- D. Propranolol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: A proton pump inhibitor. When a patient is receiving hydrocortisone for adrenal crisis, it can lead to increased gastric acid secretion. A proton pump inhibitor helps reduce acid production and prevents gastric ulcers. Regular insulin (A) is not typically indicated in this scenario. Canagliflozin (C) is a medication used for diabetes management and is not relevant here. Propranolol (D) is a beta-blocker and may mask signs of hypoglycemia when used with insulin, which is not suitable in this case.