Nursing Elites

1. A female patient is discharged from the hospital after having an episode of heart failure. She's prescribed daily oral doses of digoxin (Lanoxin) and furosemide (Lasix). Two days later, she tells her community health nurse that she feels weak and her heart 'flutters' frequently. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Tell the patient to rest more frequently.
• B. Advise the patient to discontinue digoxin and contact the physician.
• C. Contact the physician, report the symptoms, and request a blood sample to determine the patient's potassium level.
• D. Instruct the patient to avoid caffeine-containing foods.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to contact the physician, report the patient's symptoms, and request a blood sample to determine the patient's potassium level. Furosemide, a potassium-wasting diuretic, can lead to hypokalemia, causing weakness and palpitations. Therefore, checking the potassium level is crucial in this situation. Simply telling the patient to rest more frequently won't address the underlying issue of potassium depletion. While digoxin can cause adverse effects, in this case, the symptoms are more likely related to furosemide-induced potassium loss. Instructing the patient to avoid caffeine-containing foods may be beneficial in general, but it wouldn't directly address the potassium depletion that needs urgent attention.

2. A nurse assesses a client who is experiencing an acid-base imbalance. The clients arterial blood gas values are pH 7.34, PaO2 88 mm Hg, PaCO2 38 mm Hg, and HCO3 19 mEq/L. Which assessment should the nurse perform first?

• A. . Cardiac rate and rhythm
• B. Skin and mucous membranes
• C. Musculoskeletal strength
• D. Level of orientation

Correct answer: A

Rationale:

3. Which negative ion is most abundant in blood plasma?

• A. Bicarbonate
• B. Chloride
• C. Hydroxide
• D. Phosphate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Chloride (Cl-) is the most abundant anion in blood plasma. It plays a crucial role in maintaining osmotic balance and acid-base homeostasis. Bicarbonate (Choice A) is important for buffering acids in the body but is not the most abundant negative ion in blood plasma. Hydroxide (Choice C) is not typically found in high concentrations in blood plasma. Phosphate (Choice D) is an important anion in the body but is not as abundant as chloride in blood plasma.

4. Retention of electrolytes (especially sodium) in the interstitial fluid can result from:

• A. decreased aldosterone secretion.
• B. increased ADH secretion.
• C. increased aldosterone secretion.
• D. decreased ADH secretion.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: increased aldosterone secretion. Aldosterone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, increases sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, leading to retention of sodium and water in the interstitial fluid. Increased aldosterone secretion enhances the reabsorption of sodium, thereby increasing its retention. Choice A is incorrect because decreased aldosterone secretion would lead to less sodium reabsorption and increased excretion. Choice B is incorrect because increased ADH secretion primarily affects water reabsorption rather than sodium. Choice D is incorrect because decreased ADH secretion would lead to increased water excretion but not necessarily affect sodium retention.

5. 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:

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