Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. You are the nurse caring for a 77-year-old male patient who has been involved in a motor vehicle accident. You and your colleague note that the patients labs indicate minimally elevated serum creatinine levels, which your colleague dismisses. What can this increase in creatinine indicate in older adults?

• A. Substantially reduced renal function
• B. Acute kidney injury
• C. Decreased cardiac output
• D. ) Alterations in ratio of body fluids to muscle mass

Correct answer: A

Rationale:

3. The nurse who assesses the patient's peripheral IV site and notes edema around the insertion site will document which complication related to IV therapy?

• A. Air emboli
• B. Phlebitis
• C. Infiltration
• D. Fluid overload

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Infiltration is the administration of non-vesicant solution or medication into the surrounding tissue. This can occur when the IV cannula dislodges or perforates the vein's wall. Infiltration is characterized by edema around the insertion site, leakage of IV fluid from the insertion site, discomfort, and coolness in the area of infiltration, and a significant decrease in the flow rate. Air emboli (Choice A) involves air entering the bloodstream. Phlebitis (Choice B) is inflammation of a vein. Fluid overload (Choice D) is an excessive volume of fluid in the circulatory system.

4. The nurse is caring for a patient who is diaphoretic from a fever. The amount of sodium excreted in the urine will:

• A. Decrease
• B. Increase
• C. Remain unchanged
• D. Fluctuate

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Increased sweating (diaphoresis) causes the loss of sodium and other electrolytes from the body. As a result, the body tries to conserve sodium, leading to a decrease in the amount of sodium excreted in the urine. Choice B is incorrect because increased sweating results in sodium loss, not retention. Choice C is incorrect because with increased sweating, there is a need to conserve sodium, leading to a decrease in its excretion. Choice D is incorrect as there is a clear physiological response to sweating that results in a more consistent decrease in sodium excretion.

5. What is the function of aldosterone?

• A. Regulates body temperature.
• B. Decreases blood pressure.
• C. Increases sodium reabsorption.
• D. Promotes water excretion.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Aldosterone increases the reabsorption of sodium in the kidneys, which leads to an increase in blood volume and blood pressure. Choice A is incorrect as aldosterone does not regulate body temperature. Choice B is incorrect as aldosterone increases blood pressure by increasing sodium reabsorption. Choice D is incorrect as aldosterone promotes water retention by increasing sodium reabsorption.

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