Nursing Elites

1. A young adult male is admitted to the emergency department with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). His pH is 7.25, HCO3 is 12 mEq/L, and blood glucose is 310 mg/dl. Which action should the nurse implement?

• A. Infuse sodium chloride 0.9% (normal saline)
• B. Prepare an emergency dose of glucagon
• C. Determine the last time the client ate
• D. Check urine for ketone bodies with a dipstick

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In DKA, restoring fluid balance with sodium chloride is a priority to address the dehydration and electrolyte imbalances present in this condition. Choice B, preparing an emergency dose of glucagon, is incorrect because DKA is characterized by insulin deficiency, not glucagon deficiency. Choice C, determining the last time the client ate, is not the immediate priority in managing DKA. Choice D, checking urine for ketone bodies with a dipstick, may help confirm the diagnosis of DKA but is not the most critical intervention at this time.

2. A client with a history of chronic heart failure is admitted with shortness of breath. Which assessment finding is most concerning?

• A. Crackles in the lungs
• B. Shortness of breath
• C. Elevated liver enzymes
• D. Heart rate of 100 beats per minute

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Elevated liver enzymes are concerning in a client with chronic heart failure as they may indicate liver congestion or worsening heart failure, requiring immediate intervention. While crackles in the lungs and shortness of breath are common in heart failure, elevated liver enzymes specifically point towards possible liver involvement due to heart failure. A heart rate of 100 beats per minute can be expected in a client with heart failure due to compensatory mechanisms, but elevated liver enzymes signal a more severe condition.

3. The nurse discovers that an elderly client with no history of cardiac or renal disease has an elevated serum magnesium level. To further investigate the cause of this electrolyte imbalance, what information is most important for the nurse to obtain from the client's medical history?

• A. Frequency of laxative use for chronic constipation
• B. Dietary intake of magnesium-rich foods
• C. Use of magnesium-containing supplements
• D. History of alcohol use

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Frequent use of magnesium-containing laxatives can lead to hypermagnesemia, particularly in elderly clients. Option B, dietary intake of magnesium-rich foods, may contribute to elevated serum magnesium levels but is less likely the cause in this scenario. Option C, the use of magnesium-containing supplements, can also contribute to hypermagnesemia but is not as common in elderly clients without a history of using such supplements. Option D, history of alcohol use, is less relevant to the development of elevated serum magnesium levels compared to laxative use for chronic constipation.

4. A female client receives a prescription for alendronate sodium (Fosamax) to treat her newly diagnosed osteoporosis. What instruction should the nurse include in the client's teaching plan?

• A. Take on an empty stomach with a full glass of water.
• B. Take with food to avoid stomach upset.
• C. Take before bedtime with a light snack.
• D. Take with milk to enhance absorption.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to take alendronate on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. This instruction is essential to ensure proper absorption and prevent esophageal irritation. Taking alendronate with food, before bedtime with a light snack, or with milk can interfere with its absorption and effectiveness, leading to potential side effects or reduced therapeutic benefits.

5. Which instruction is most important for a client who receives a new plan of care to treat osteoporosis?

• A. Start a weight-bearing exercise plan.
• B. Increase consumption of foods rich in calcium.
• C. Arrange a bone density test every year.
• D. Stay upright after taking the medication.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Stay upright after taking the medication.' This instruction is crucial for clients receiving medications like bisphosphonates to prevent esophageal irritation or erosion. While weight-bearing exercises (choice A) are important for bone health, staying upright after medication intake takes precedence. Increasing calcium-rich foods (choice B) is beneficial but not the most important immediate instruction. Scheduling bone density tests (choice C) is necessary for monitoring osteoporosis but is not as critical as staying upright after medication.

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