Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is evaluating a client receiving hemodialysis. Which of the following lab values requires immediate intervention?

• A. Sodium 135 mEq/L
• B. Potassium 6.5 mEq/L
• C. Calcium 9 mg/dL
• D. Chloride 98 mEq/L

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Potassium levels above 5.0 mEq/L can lead to cardiac issues, and a level of 6.5 mEq/L requires immediate intervention. Hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Choices A, C, and D are within normal ranges and do not require immediate intervention in the context of hemodialysis monitoring.

2. A patient with a history of hypertension is admitted for chest pain. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take first?

• A. Obtain a detailed medical history
• B. Administer nitroglycerin
• C. Conduct an ECG
• D. Administer morphine sulfate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin is the priority intervention for a patient presenting with chest pain as it helps dilate blood vessels, reduce chest pain, and improve oxygen supply to the heart. Obtaining a detailed medical history, conducting an ECG, or administering morphine sulfate are important steps in the assessment and treatment process but are secondary to the immediate need to address chest pain and potential cardiac ischemia.

3. What is a primary goal when managing a client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?

• A. Encourage the client to engage in regular physical exercise
• B. Help the client avoid anxiety triggers through behavioral therapy
• C. Encourage the client to express feelings openly
• D. Teach relaxation techniques to help manage anxiety

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When managing a client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a primary goal is to teach relaxation techniques to help manage anxiety. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness can be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms. Encouraging the client to engage in regular physical exercise (Choice A) can be beneficial but teaching relaxation techniques is more specific to managing anxiety. Avoiding anxiety triggers through behavioral therapy (Choice B) may be part of the treatment plan but teaching relaxation techniques is more directly aimed at managing anxiety. While encouraging the client to express feelings openly (Choice C) can be important for overall emotional well-being, teaching relaxation techniques is more focused on addressing the symptoms of anxiety.

4. A nurse is teaching a patient with hypertension about the DASH diet. What is the most important instruction to include?

• A. Increase the patient's intake of fruits and vegetables.
• B. Limit the patient's intake of saturated fats.
• C. Encourage the patient to reduce sodium intake.
• D. Recommend the patient avoid caffeine.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage the patient to reduce sodium intake. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet emphasizes reducing sodium intake to help manage hypertension. While increasing fruits and vegetables (Choice A) is important in the DASH diet, reducing sodium intake is considered more crucial. Limiting saturated fats (Choice B) is beneficial but not as critical as reducing sodium. Avoiding caffeine (Choice D) is not a specific recommendation of the DASH diet for managing hypertension.

5. What is the primary purpose of turning and repositioning an immobile patient every 2 hours?

• A. To improve circulation and relieve pressure.
• B. To prevent contractures and muscle atrophy.
• C. To prevent skin breakdown and pressure ulcers.
• D. To improve respiratory function and prevent pneumonia.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary purpose of turning and repositioning an immobile patient every 2 hours is to prevent skin breakdown and pressure ulcers. Prolonged immobility can lead to pressure ulcers, making this a crucial nursing intervention. Choice A is incorrect because while turning can help improve circulation and relieve pressure, the primary purpose is to prevent skin breakdown. Choice B is incorrect as preventing contractures and muscle atrophy is important but not the primary purpose of turning. Choice D is incorrect as improving respiratory function and preventing pneumonia are not directly related to turning and repositioning for skin integrity.

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