Nokea
While assessing clients on a medical-surgical unit, which client is at risk for hypokalemia?
- A. Client with pancreatitis who has continuous nasogastric suctioning
- B. Client who is prescribed an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
- C. Client in a motor vehicle crash who is receiving 6 units of packed red blood cells
- D. Client with uncontrolled diabetes and a serum pH level of 7.33
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Client with pancreatitis who has continuous nasogastric suctioning. Pancreatitis can lead to gastrointestinal losses of potassium, and continuous nasogastric suctioning can further exacerbate this potassium loss, putting the client at risk for hypokalemia. The other choices are incorrect because:
B: ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia, not hypokalemia.
C: Blood transfusions can lead to hyperkalemia due to the potassium content in blood products.
D: Uncontrolled diabetes and a serum pH level of 7.33 are not directly associated with hypokalemia.
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A nurse is caring for a client who has just experienced a 90-second tonic-clonic seizure. The clients arterial blood gas values are pH 6.88, PaO2 50 mm Hg, PaCO2 60 mm Hg, and HCO3 22 mEq/L. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. . Apply oxygen by mask or nasal cannula
- B. Apply a paper bag over the clients nose and mouth.
- C. Administer 50 mL of sodium bicarbonate intravenously.
- D. Administer 50 mL of 20% glucose and 20 units of regular insulin.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Apply oxygen by mask or nasal cannula. The client is experiencing respiratory acidosis due to inadequate ventilation and oxygenation during the seizure. Providing oxygen will help improve oxygenation and correct the respiratory acidosis. This is the priority to address the immediate physiological need.
Choice B is incorrect as applying a paper bag can lead to rebreathing of carbon dioxide, worsening the respiratory acidosis. Choice C is incorrect as sodium bicarbonate is not indicated in this situation and can potentially worsen the acid-base imbalance. Choice D is incorrect as administering glucose and insulin is not relevant to correcting the respiratory acidosis.
You are caring for a patient with a diagnosis of pancreatitis. The patient was admitted from a homeless shelter and is
a vague historian. The patient appears malnourished and on day 3 of the patients admission total parenteral nutrition
(TPN) has been started. Why would you know to start the infusion of TPN slowly?
- A. Patients receiving TPN are at risk for hypercalcemia if calories are started too rapidly.
- B. Malnourished patients receiving parenteral nutrition are at risk for hypophosphatemia if calories are started
too aggressively.
- C. Malnourished patients who receive fluids too rapidly are at risk for hypernatremia.
- D. Patients receiving TPN need a slow initiation of treatment in order to allow digestive enzymes to accumulate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Malnourished patients receiving parenteral nutrition are at risk for hypophosphatemia if calories are started too aggressively. Patient with pancreatitis may have depleted levels of phosphorus due to malnutrition, and rapid initiation of TPN can further decrease phosphorus levels, leading to hypophosphatemia. This can result in respiratory failure, muscle weakness, and arrhythmias.
Choice A is incorrect because patients receiving TPN are not specifically at risk for hypercalcemia due to rapid initiation of calories. Choice C is incorrect because rapid fluid infusion can lead to hypernatremia, not related to TPN initiation. Choice D is incorrect because the rationale provided for slow initiation is not related to digestive enzymes but rather to prevent hypophosphatemia in malnourished patients.
You are the nurse caring for a patient who is to receive IV daunorubicin, a chemotherapeutic agent. You start the
infusion and check the insertion site as per protocol. During your most recent check, you note that the IV has infiltrated
so you stop the infusion. What is your main concern with this infiltration?
- A. Extravasation of the medication
- B. Discomfort to the patient
- C. Blanching at the site
- D. Hypersensitivity reaction to the medication
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Extravasation of the medication. Extravasation occurs when the infused medication leaks into surrounding tissues, potentially causing tissue damage and necrosis. This is a serious concern with vesicant medications like daunorubicin. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications.
Choice B: Discomfort to the patient is incorrect because while discomfort may occur with infiltration, the main concern is the potential for tissue damage from extravasation.
Choice C: Blanching at the site is incorrect as it is a common sign of infiltration, but the main concern is the possibility of extravasation and tissue damage.
Choice D: Hypersensitivity reaction to the medication is incorrect as it is a different type of reaction that is not directly related to infiltration or extravasation.
You are called to your patients room by a family member who voices concern about the patients status. On
assessment, you find the patient tachypnic, lethargic, weak, and exhibiting a diminished cognitive ability. You also
find 3+ pitting edema. What electrolyte imbalance is the most plausible cause of this patients signs and symptoms?
- A. Hypocalcemia
- B. Hyponatremia
- C. Hyperchloremia
- D. Hypophosphatemia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hyperchloremia. In this scenario, the patient's symptoms point towards fluid overload, which can lead to hyperchloremia due to excessive chloride intake. 3+ pitting edema suggests fluid retention, a common symptom of hyperchloremia. Additionally, tachypnea can occur as a compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis seen in hyperchloremia. Lethargy, weakness, and diminished cognitive ability can be attributed to electrolyte imbalances impacting nerve and muscle function.
Choice A: Hypocalcemia is less likely as it typically presents with neuromuscular irritability, not lethargy.
Choice B: Hyponatremia usually presents with neurological symptoms like confusion and seizures, not the symptoms described.
Choice D: Hypophosphatemia typically presents with muscle weakness, not the full constellation of symptoms described.
A home care nurse prepares to administer intravenous medication to a client. The nurse assesses the site and reviews the clients chart prior to administering the medication: Client: Thomas Jackson DOB: 5/3/1936 Gender: Male January 23 (Today): Right uppe
- A. Notify the health care provider
- B. . Administer the prescribed medication.
- C. Discontinue the PICC
- D. Switch the medication to the oral route
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer the prescribed medication. The nurse has assessed the client's site and reviewed the chart, indicating readiness to administer the medication. It is crucial to follow the healthcare provider's order and administer the prescribed medication as planned. Notifying the provider (A) is unnecessary if all assessments are normal. Discontinuing the PICC line (C) without a valid reason can lead to complications. Switching to oral route (D) should only be considered if there are specific contraindications for the intravenous route. It's important to prioritize safe and effective medication administration based on the client's condition and healthcare provider's orders.