Nokea
You are the surgical nurse caring for a 65-year-old female patient who is postoperative day 1 following a
thyroidectomy. During your shift assessment, the patient complains of tingling in her lips and fingers. She tells you that
she has an intermittent spasm in her wrist and hand and she exhibits increased muscle tone. What electrolyte imbalance
should you first suspect?
- A. Hypophosphatemia
- B. Hypocalcemia
- C. Hypermagnesemia
- D. Hyperkalemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypocalcemia. Following a thyroidectomy, there is a risk of damaging the parathyroid glands, leading to hypocalcemia. Symptoms such as tingling in lips and fingers, muscle spasms, and increased muscle tone are classic signs of hypocalcemia. The initial concern should be hypocalcemia due to its potential to cause serious complications such as tetany and laryngospasm. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the symptoms described. Hypophosphatemia may present with weakness and respiratory failure, hypermagnesemia with hypotension and respiratory depression, and hyperkalemia with muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias.
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After administering 40 mEq of potassium chloride, a nurse evaluates the clients response. Which manifestations indicate that treatment is improving the clients hypokalemia? (Select all tha do not t apply.)
- A. Strong productive cough
- B. Active bowel sounds
- C. U waves present on the electrocardiogram (ECG)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: U waves present on the electrocardiogram (ECG). U waves are indicative of hypokalemia, and their presence indicates that the potassium chloride treatment is improving the condition.
Explanation:
1. A: Strong productive cough - This manifestation is not related to potassium levels and does not indicate improvement in hypokalemia.
2. B: Active bowel sounds - While hypokalemia can cause gastrointestinal issues, active bowel sounds alone do not specifically indicate improvement in potassium levels.
3. C: U waves present on ECG - U waves are a classic ECG finding in hypokalemia. The presence of U waves indicates a positive response to potassium chloride treatment.
4. D: No response provided - Not applicable.
In summary, the presence of U waves on the ECG is a key indicator of improvement in hypokalemia, while the other manifestations do not directly relate to potassium levels.
After teaching a client to increase dietary potassium intake, a nurse assesses the client's understanding. Which dietary meal selection indicates the client correctly understands the teaching?
- A. Toasted English muffin with butter and blueberry jam, and tea with sugar
- B. Two scrambled eggs, a slice of white toast, and a half cup of strawberries
- C. Sausage, one slice of whole wheat toast, half cup of raisins, and a glass of milk
- D. Bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar, a half cup of sliced peaches, and coffee
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because it includes foods high in potassium. Raisins, whole wheat toast, and milk are good sources of potassium. Sausage might contain some potassium as well.
A: This option lacks potassium-rich foods.
B: While strawberries have some potassium, the overall meal lacks a sufficient amount.
D: While oatmeal and peaches have potassium, coffee can actually inhibit potassium absorption.
A newly graduated nurse is admitting a patient with a long history of emphysema. The new nurses preceptor is
going over the patients past lab reports with the new nurse. The nurse takes note that the patients PaCO2 has been
between 56 and 64 mm Hg for several months. The preceptor asks the new nurse why they will be cautious
administering oxygen. What is the new nurses best response?
- A. The patients calcium will rise dramatically due to pituitary stimulation.
- B. Oxygen will increase the patients intracranial pressure and create confusion.
- C. Oxygen may cause the patient to hyperventilate and become acidotic.
- D. Using oxygen may result in the patient developing carbon dioxide narcosis and hypoxemia.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Using oxygen may result in the patient developing carbon dioxide narcosis and hypoxemia. In patients with chronic emphysema, their respiratory drive is often triggered by low oxygen levels rather than high carbon dioxide levels. Administering supplemental oxygen can suppress their respiratory drive, leading to carbon dioxide retention (carbon dioxide narcosis) and worsening hypoxemia. This phenomenon is known as "hypoxic drive."
Choice A is incorrect because administering oxygen does not lead to a dramatic rise in calcium levels due to pituitary stimulation. Choice B is incorrect because administering oxygen does not typically increase intracranial pressure or cause confusion. Choice C is incorrect because administering oxygen does not directly cause hyperventilation and acidosis in this scenario.
You are making initial shift assessments on your patients. While assessing one patients peripheral IV site, you note edema around the insertion site. How should you document this complication related to IV therapy?
- A. Air emboli
- B. Phlebitis
- C. Infiltration
- D. Fluid overload
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C - Infiltration
Rationale:
1. Infiltration occurs when IV fluid leaks into surrounding tissues, causing edema.
2. Documenting infiltration is important for appropriate management.
3. Air emboli, phlebitis, and fluid overload are unrelated to edema around IV site.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
A. Air emboli: This is a serious condition caused by air entering the bloodstream, not related to edema.
B. Phlebitis: Inflammation of the vein, usually presenting with redness and pain, not edema.
D. Fluid overload: Excess fluid volume in the body, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, not edema.
A nurse teaches a client who is prescribed a central vascular access device. Which statement should the nurse include in this clients teaching?
- A. You will need to wear a sling on your arm while the device is in place
- B. There is no risk of infection because sterile technique will be used during insertion.
- C. . Ask all providers to vigorously clean the connections prior to accessing the device.
- D. You will not be able to take a bath with this vascular access device.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
1. Choice C is correct because it emphasizes the importance of cleaning connections before accessing the device to prevent infection.
2. Sterile technique during insertion cannot guarantee no risk of infection (Choice B).
3. Wearing a sling is unnecessary for a central vascular access device (Choice A).
4. The statement about not being able to take a bath is not accurate and is not a common restriction (Choice D).