Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who is admitted with moderate dehydration. Which intervention should the nurse implement to prevent injury while in the hospital?

• A. Ask family members to speak quietly to keep the client calm.
• B. Assess urine color, amount, and specific gravity each day.
• C. Encourage the client to drink at least 1 liter of fluids each shift.
• D. Dangle the client on the bedside before ambulating.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to 'dangle the client on the bedside before ambulating.' This intervention helps prevent orthostatic hypotension, a drop in blood pressure when changing positions, which is crucial in preventing falls and related injuries in older adult clients. Asking family members to speak quietly (Choice A) may help keep the client calm but does not directly address the risk of injury. Assessing urine parameters (Choice B) is important for monitoring hydration status but does not specifically prevent injury. Encouraging increased fluid intake (Choice C) is essential for managing dehydration but does not directly address the risk of injury during ambulation.

2. A nurse is assessing a client with hypokalemia and notes that the client's handgrip strength has diminished since the previous assessment 1 hour ago. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Assess the client's respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth.
• B. Measure the client's pulse and blood pressure.
• C. Document findings and monitor the client.
• D. Call the healthcare provider.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a client with hypokalemia experiencing diminished handgrip strength, the priority action for the nurse is to assess the client's respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth. Hypokalemia can lead to muscle weakness, including respiratory muscles, potentially causing respiratory distress. Assessing the respiratory status is crucial to determine if immediate interventions are needed to maintain adequate oxygenation. Measuring the client's pulse and blood pressure (Choice B) is important but should come after assessing the respiratory status. Simply documenting findings and monitoring the client (Choice C) may delay necessary interventions. Calling the healthcare provider (Choice D) is not the first action indicated in this situation; assessing the client's respiratory status takes precedence.

3. A nurse admitting a patient with a history of emphysema reviews her past lab reports and notes that the patient's PaCO2 has been 56 to 64 mmHg. The nurse will be cautious administering oxygen because:

• A. The patient's calcium will rise dramatically due to pituitary stimulation.
• B. The oxygen will increase the patient's intracranial pressure and create confusion.
• C. The 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: When PaCO2 chronically exceeds 50 mm Hg, it creates insensitivity to CO2 in the respiratory medulla, and the use of oxygen may result in the patient developing carbon dioxide narcosis and hypoxemia. Choice A is incorrect because administering oxygen does not lead to a dramatic rise in calcium due to pituitary stimulation. Choice B is incorrect because administering oxygen does not directly increase intracranial pressure or create confusion. Choice C is incorrect because administering oxygen to a patient with emphysema and high PaCO2 levels is more likely to cause respiratory depression than hyperventilation and acidosis.

4. The physician has ordered a peripheral IV to be inserted before the patient goes for computed tomography. What should the nurse do when selecting a site on the hand or arm for insertion of an IV catheter?

• A. Choose a hairless site if available.
• B. Consider potential effects on the patients mobility when selecting a site.
• C. Have the patient briefly hold his arm over his head before insertion
• D. Leave the tourniquet on for at least 3 minutes.

Correct answer: B

Rationale:

5. A patient with diabetes insipidus is admitted to the intensive care unit after a motor vehicle accident that resulted in head trauma and damage to the pituitary gland. Diabetes insipidus can occur when there is a decreased production of which of the following?

• A. ADH
• B. Estrogen
• C. Aldosterone
• D. Renin

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: ADH. Diabetes insipidus is characterized by a deficiency in antidiuretic hormone (ADH), leading to excessive urine output and thirst. In this scenario, the head trauma and damage to the pituitary gland can result in decreased production or release of ADH. Estrogen (Choice B) is not directly related to diabetes insipidus. Aldosterone (Choice C) is a hormone that regulates sodium and potassium levels, not water balance like ADH. Renin (Choice D) is an enzyme involved in the regulation of blood pressure and fluid balance but not directly related to diabetes insipidus.

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