Nursing Elites

1. A client post-thyroidectomy reports tingling in their lips and fingers. The nurse should identify this finding as an indication of which of the following complications?

• A. Hypokalemia
• B. Hypocalcemia
• C. Hyponatremia
• D. Hyperglycemia

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Tingling in the lips and fingers is a classic sign of hypocalcemia, which can occur as a complication following a thyroidectomy due to inadvertent damage to the parathyroid glands that regulate calcium levels. Hypokalemia (Choice A) presents with muscle weakness and cardiac issues, not tingling. Hyponatremia (Choice C) typically manifests with confusion, seizures, and muscle cramps. Hyperglycemia (Choice D) is associated with increased thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue.

2. What is the best intervention for a patient experiencing respiratory distress?

• A. Administer oxygen
• B. Administer bronchodilators
• C. Administer IV fluids
• D. Reposition the patient

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering oxygen is the best intervention for a patient experiencing respiratory distress because it helps improve oxygenation. Oxygen therapy is the initial and priority intervention to ensure an adequate oxygen supply to the body tissues. Administering bronchodilators (Choice B) may be appropriate for specific respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD but is not the first-line intervention in all cases of respiratory distress. Administering IV fluids (Choice C) is not a standard intervention for respiratory distress unless there is an underlying cause like dehydration. Repositioning the patient (Choice D) can aid in optimizing ventilation but is not the primary intervention for respiratory distress.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who has Cushing's syndrome. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

• A. Hypotension.
• B. Weight loss.
• C. Hyperkalemia.
• D. Hypercalcemia.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In clients with Cushing's syndrome, the nurse should expect hyperkalemia. Cushing's syndrome is characterized by excess cortisol levels, which can lead to potassium retention and result in hyperkalemia. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Hypotension is not typically associated with Cushing's syndrome; instead, hypertension is more common due to the effects of cortisol. Weight gain, rather than weight loss, is a common symptom of Cushing's syndrome. Hypercalcemia is not a typical finding in Cushing's syndrome; instead, hypocalcemia may occur due to increased urinary calcium excretion.

4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has cirrhosis. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?

• A. Limit the client's sodium intake to 4 grams per day.
• B. Measure the client's abdominal girth daily.
• C. Monitor the client's urine specific gravity every 12 hours.
• D. Encourage the client to drink 3 liters of fluid per day.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to measure the client's abdominal girth daily. Measuring abdominal girth helps monitor for ascites, a common complication of cirrhosis. Limiting sodium intake is important in cirrhosis but there is no specific value given, making choice A less precise. Monitoring urine specific gravity is not directly related to cirrhosis management, making choice C incorrect. Encouraging the client to drink 3 liters of fluid per day may not be suitable for all patients with cirrhosis, especially those with fluid restrictions, so choice D is not the most appropriate intervention.

5. A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a client with a surgical wound. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to maintain the sterile field?

• A. Open sterile packages using the flap closest to your body first.
• B. Don sterile gloves before opening the sterile package.
• C. Avoid reaching over the sterile field.
• D. Place sterile items at least 2.5 cm (1 in) from the edge of the sterile field.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action to maintain a sterile field is to avoid reaching over it. This prevents contamination of the sterile environment by reducing the risk of unintentionally dropping microorganisms from non-sterile areas onto the sterile field. Opening sterile packages using the flap closest to your body first (choice A) is a good practice but not directly related to maintaining the sterile field. Donning sterile gloves before opening the sterile package (choice B) is crucial for maintaining sterility but not specific to maintaining the sterile field. Placing sterile items at least 2.5 cm (1 in) from the edge of the sterile field (choice D) is important to prevent accidental contamination, but it is not the primary action to maintain the sterile field.

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