Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis and a new prescription for lactulose. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following therapeutic effects of this medication?

• A. Improved mental status.
• B. Increased urine output.
• C. Decreased serum ammonia.
• D. Decreased bilirubin levels.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Decreased serum ammonia. Lactulose is prescribed to decrease serum ammonia levels in clients with cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy. By reducing serum ammonia, lactulose helps improve the mental status of these clients. Therefore, monitoring for decreased serum ammonia is crucial to assess the effectiveness of lactulose therapy. Choice A (Improved mental status) is indirectly related as it is the desired outcome of decreasing ammonia levels. Choices B (Increased urine output) and D (Decreased bilirubin levels) are not directly associated with the therapeutic effects of lactulose in cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy.

2. Which lab value should be monitored in patients receiving heparin therapy?

• A. Monitor aPTT
• B. Monitor INR
• C. Monitor platelet count
• D. Monitor sodium levels

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor aPTT in patients receiving heparin therapy. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) is crucial to assess the therapeutic effectiveness of heparin and to prevent bleeding complications. Monitoring INR (Choice B) is more relevant for patients on warfarin therapy, not heparin. Platelet count (Choice C) monitoring is essential for detecting heparin-induced thrombocytopenia rather than assessing heparin therapy itself. Monitoring sodium levels (Choice D) is not directly related to heparin therapy monitoring.

3. Which medication is commonly prescribed for a patient with a history of heart failure?

• A. Furosemide
• B. Metoprolol
• C. Digoxin
• D. Aspirin

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Furosemide is the correct answer. It is a common diuretic used in patients with heart failure to reduce fluid overload. Metoprolol (Choice B) is a beta-blocker often prescribed to manage heart failure symptoms by improving heart function. Digoxin (Choice C) is used in heart failure patients to help the heart beat stronger and with a more regular rhythm. Aspirin (Choice D) is not typically prescribed for heart failure but may be used in patients with heart disease for its antiplatelet effects.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who has undergone a bronchoscopy. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?

• A. Oxygen saturation of 95%
• B. Blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg
• C. Coughing up small amounts of sputum
• D. Absent gag reflex

Correct answer: D

Rationale: An absent gag reflex is a critical finding that requires immediate intervention to prevent aspiration. This can lead to the aspiration of oral or gastric contents into the lungs, potentially causing serious respiratory complications. Oxygen saturation of 95% is within the normal range, a blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg is also within normal limits, and coughing up small amounts of sputum is an expected finding after a bronchoscopy procedure.

5. A client with Parkinson's disease is receiving physical therapy. Which statement by the client indicates the need for a referral to physical therapy?

• A. I have been experiencing more tremors in my left arm than before
• B. I noticed that I am having a harder time holding onto my toothbrush
• C. Lately, I feel like my feet are freezing up, as they are stuck to the ground
• D. Sometimes, I feel I am making a chewing motion when I'm not eating

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because freezing of feet while walking is a sign of impaired mobility, indicating the need for physical therapy in clients with Parkinson's disease. Choices A, B, and D are symptoms commonly associated with Parkinson's disease but do not specifically indicate the need for immediate referral to physical therapy.

Similar Questions