Nursing Elites

1. You are an emergency-room nurse caring for a trauma patient. Your patient has the following arterial blood gas results: pH 7.26, PaCO2 28, HCO3 11 mEq/L. How would you interpret these results?

• A. Respiratory acidosis with no compensation
• B. Metabolic alkalosis with a compensatory alkalosis
• C. Metabolic acidosis with no compensation
• D. Metabolic acidosis with a compensatory respiratory alkalosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale:

2. A patient's lab results show a slight decrease in potassium. The physician has declined to treat with drug therapy but has suggested increasing the potassium through diet. Which of the following would be a good source of potassium?

• A. Apples
• B. Asparagus
• C. Carrots
• D. Bananas

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Bananas are an excellent source of potassium, making them a good choice to increase potassium levels through diet. While apples, asparagus, and carrots are nutritious, they are not particularly high in potassium compared to bananas. Therefore, choosing bananas would be more effective in increasing the patient's potassium intake.

3. Which positive ion is most prevalent in intracellular fluid?

• A. Calcium
• B. Potassium
• C. Sodium
• D. Magnesium

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is Potassium (K+). Potassium is the predominant cation found within cells, making it the most prevalent positive ion in intracellular fluid. Calcium, sodium, and magnesium are also essential ions in the body, but they are not as abundant in intracellular fluid. Calcium is vital for bone health and muscle function, sodium helps in maintaining fluid balance and nerve function, and magnesium is involved in numerous biochemical reactions.

4. During a visit to an 84-year-old woman recovering from hip surgery, the nurse notices signs of confusion and poor skin turgor. The woman mentions she limits water intake to avoid nighttime bathroom trips. The nurse should explain to the woman that:

• A. She will need her medications adjusted and be readmitted for a complete workup.
• B. Limiting fluids can lead to body imbalances causing confusion; perhaps adjusting fluid intake timing is necessary.
• C. Post-surgical confusion is common, and it's safe not to urinate at night.
• D. Confusion after surgery is typical in the elderly due to sleep loss.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. In elderly patients, fluid and electrolyte imbalances can manifest with subtle signs like confusion. Limiting fluids can lead to such imbalances, affecting cognitive function. Adjusting the timing of fluid intake can help maintain hydration without causing nighttime disruptions. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Choice A suggests unnecessary hospital readmission and medication adjustments without addressing the root cause. Choice C wrongly normalizes the confusion and fails to address the potential issue of fluid restriction. Choice D incorrectly attributes confusion solely to sleep loss without considering the impact of fluid balance.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who is having a subclavian central venous catheter inserted. The client begins to report chest pain and difficulty breathing. After administering oxygen, which action should the nurse take next?

• A. Administer a sublingual nitroglycerin tablet
• B. Prepare to assist with chest tube insertion.
• C. . Place a sterile dressing over the IV site
• D. Re-position the client into the Trendelenburg position.

Correct answer: B

Rationale:

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