Nursing Elites

1. A nurse teaches a client who is recovering from a nephrectomy secondary to kidney trauma. Which statement should the nurse include in this client’s teaching?

• A. Since you only have one kidney, a salt and fluid restriction is required.
• B. Your therapy will include hemodialysis while you recover.
• C. Medication will be prescribed to control your high blood pressure.
• D. You need to avoid participating in contact sports like football.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Clients with one kidney need to avoid contact sports because the kidneys are easily injured. The client will not be required to restrict salt and fluids, end up on dialysis, or have new hypertension because of the nephrectomy.

2. A client with chronic renal failure is on a low-protein diet. Which of the following is the best response by the nurse when the client asks why this diet is necessary?

• A. It reduces the workload on your kidneys.
• B. It helps prevent the buildup of waste products.
• C. It helps maintain electrolyte balance in your body.
• D. It helps prevent dehydration.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A low-protein diet is necessary for clients with chronic renal failure because it helps prevent the buildup of waste products, such as urea, in the body. Excess protein can lead to the accumulation of waste products that the compromised kidneys may not effectively filter out, further burdening the already impaired renal function. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the primary reason for a low-protein diet in chronic renal failure is to reduce the workload on the kidneys by minimizing the production of waste products that can exacerbate the condition, not specifically to reduce kidney workload, maintain electrolyte balance, or prevent dehydration.

3. A client with diabetes mellitus who is taking NPH insulin (Humulin N) in the evening is most likely to become hypoglycemic shortly after midnight because this insulin peaks in 6 to 8 hours. What intervention should the nurse recommend to help prevent hypoglycemia while the client is sleeping?

• A. Eat a bedtime snack.
• B. Avoid physical activity.
• C. Take half the usual dose of insulin.
• D. Discontinue insulin until the next meal.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Eating a bedtime snack is the most appropriate intervention to prevent hypoglycemia during the night when NPH insulin peaks. This snack helps maintain blood glucose levels and counteracts the risk of hypoglycemia. Avoiding physical activity is not recommended as it can further lower blood sugar levels. Taking half the usual dose of insulin can lead to inadequate control of blood sugar levels. Discontinuing insulin until the next meal can result in uncontrolled hyperglycemia, especially during the peak action of NPH insulin.

4. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presented with shortness of breath. Oxygen therapy was started at 2 liters/minute via nasal cannula. The arterial blood gases (ABGs) after treatment were pH 7.36, PaO2 62, PaCO2 59, and HCO3. Which statement describes the most likely cause of the simultaneous increase in both the PaO2 and the PaCO2?

• A. The hypercapnia resulted from the rapid respirations.
• B. The hypoxic drive was reduced by the oxygen therapy.
• C. The client had a pneumothorax which restricted ventilation.
• D. The client had a pulmonary embolism that reduced perfusion.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In patients with COPD, oxygen therapy can reduce the hypoxic drive, which is the primary stimulus for breathing in these individuals. By providing supplemental oxygen, the hypoxic drive is diminished, resulting in decreased respiratory effort. As a consequence, the PaO2 may increase due to the supplemental oxygen, but this can lead to a decrease in the respiratory drive and subsequent retention of carbon dioxide, causing an increase in PaCO2 levels. Option A is incorrect because rapid respirations would typically lower PaCO2 levels. Option C is incorrect as a pneumothorax would lead to impaired gas exchange and decreased PaO2 levels without necessarily affecting PaCO2 levels. Option D is incorrect as a pulmonary embolism would typically result in ventilation-perfusion mismatch and decreased PaO2 levels without directly impacting PaCO2 levels.

5. What is the most important content for the nurse to include in discharge teaching for a 51-year-old truck driver who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day, is 30 pounds overweight, and has been diagnosed with a gastric ulcer?

• A. Information about smoking cessation.
• B. Diet instructions for a low-residue diet.
• C. Instructions on a weight-loss program.
• D. The importance of increasing milk in the diet.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Information about smoking cessation. Smoking is a significant risk factor for ulcer formation. It is crucial for the nurse to include smoking cessation information in the discharge teaching to help manage the gastric ulcer and prevent further complications. Choices B, C, and D are less relevant in this scenario. While diet modifications may be beneficial, addressing smoking cessation takes precedence due to its direct correlation with ulcer development.

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