Nursing Elites

1. After 5 days of diuretic therapy with 20mg of furosemide (Lasix) daily, a patient begins to exhibit fatigue, muscle cramping, and muscle weakness. These symptoms probably indicate that the patient is experiencing:

• A. Hypokalemia
• B. Hyperkalemia
• C. Anorexia
• D. Dysphagia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The symptoms of fatigue, muscle cramping, and muscle weakness in a patient after starting furosemide therapy are indicative of hypokalemia. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can lead to potassium depletion, causing hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can manifest with muscle weakness, cramps, and fatigue due to alterations in neuromuscular function and decreased ATP production.

2. What is the most important legal responsibility for the healthcare team after a patient's death in a hospital?

• A. Obtaining consent for an autopsy
• B. Notifying the coroner or medical examiner
• C. Labeling the body appropriately
• D. Ensuring the attending physician issues the death certificate

Correct answer: D

Rationale: After a patient's death in a hospital, the most crucial legal responsibility for the healthcare team is ensuring that the attending physician issues the death certificate. The death certificate is a vital legal document that confirms the cause of death and is required for legal and administrative purposes, including the completion of the patient's medical records and facilitating the family's ability to proceed with funeral arrangements and insurance claims. While other actions such as obtaining consent for an autopsy, notifying the coroner or medical examiner, and labeling the body appropriately are important, ensuring the timely and accurate issuance of the death certificate takes precedence in this scenario.

3. A client has unilateral paralysis and dysphagia following a right hemispheric stroke. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?

• A. Place the client's left arm on a pillow while he is sitting.
• B. Provide total care in assisting with the client's ADLs.
• C. Encourage mobility and avoid bed rest.
• D. Facilitate feeding by placing food on the left side of the client's mouth when ready to eat.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Placing the client's left arm on a pillow while sitting helps prevent shoulder displacement and assists in maintaining proper positioning and alignment. This intervention is crucial to prevent complications associated with immobility. Providing total care in ADLs may hinder the client's independence and recovery. Encouraging mobility is essential in preventing complications of immobility. Facilitating feeding by placing food on the unaffected side of the mouth helps reduce the risk of aspiration in clients with dysphagia.

4. A healthcare professional is monitoring a group of clients for increased risk of developing pneumonia. Which of the following clients should the healthcare professional NOT expect to be at risk?

• A. Client who has dysphagia
• B. Client who has AIDS
• C. Client who was vaccinated for pneumococcus and influenza 6 months ago
• D. Client who has a closed head injury and is receiving ventilation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A client who was vaccinated for pneumococcus and influenza 6 months ago would have a reduced risk of developing pneumonia compared to those who have not been vaccinated. Vaccination helps protect individuals from specific pathogens, thereby lowering the risk of infection. Clients with dysphagia, AIDS, or a closed head injury and receiving ventilation are at higher risk for pneumonia due to compromised immunity, respiratory function, or protective airway reflexes, respectively.

5. A healthcare provider is preparing to care for a client following chest tube placement. Which of the following items should NOT be available in the client's room?

• A. Oxygen
• B. Sterile water
• C. Enclosed hemostat clamps
• D. Indwelling urinary catheter

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Following chest tube placement, an indwelling urinary catheter is not typically needed or relevant to the care provided. Chest tube placement is primarily concerned with managing pleural effusion or pneumothorax, and urinary catheterization is not directly related to this procedure. Oxygen, sterile water, and enclosed hemostat clamps are commonly used items in the care of a client with a chest tube in place, to ensure proper oxygenation, maintain drainage system integrity, and manage any bleeding that may occur. Therefore, the indwelling urinary catheter should not be available in the client's room following chest tube placement.

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