Nursing Elites

1. How should a healthcare professional assess a patient with hyperkalemia?

• A. Monitor ECG and administer insulin
• B. Monitor blood glucose levels and provide fluids
• C. Monitor for muscle weakness and administer calcium gluconate
• D. Monitor electrolyte levels and provide potassium supplements

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Question: When assessing a patient with hyperkalemia, monitoring the ECG and administering insulin are crucial steps. Hyperkalemia can affect the heart's function, leading to life-threatening arrhythmias. Monitoring the ECG helps in identifying any cardiac abnormalities associated with high potassium levels. Administering insulin, along with glucose, helps shift potassium from the bloodstream into the cells, temporarily lowering the potassium levels. Choice B is incorrect because monitoring blood glucose levels and providing fluids are not the primary interventions for hyperkalemia. Choice C is incorrect as monitoring for muscle weakness and administering calcium gluconate are not the first-line treatments for hyperkalemia. Calcium gluconate may be used in specific situations to stabilize cardiac cell membranes in severe cases of hyperkalemia. Choice D is incorrect because monitoring electrolyte levels and providing potassium supplements would worsen hyperkalemia, as the patient already has elevated potassium levels and does not require additional potassium supplementation.

2. A healthcare professional is planning care for a client who has a prescription for mechanical restraints. Which of the following interventions should the healthcare professional include in the plan?

• A. Document the client's status every 60 minutes.
• B. Provide a staff member to stay with the client continuously.
• C. Measure vital signs every 4 hours.
• D. Obtain a prescription for the restraints every 8 hours.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a client has a prescription for mechanical restraints, it is essential to provide continuous monitoring for their safety and to observe any behavioral changes. Having a staff member stay with the client continuously allows for immediate intervention if needed. Documenting the client's status every 60 minutes (Choice A) may not provide real-time monitoring, which is crucial in this situation. While measuring vital signs every 4 hours (Choice C) is important, continuous observation takes precedence in this scenario. Obtaining a prescription for the restraints every 8 hours (Choice D) is not a necessary intervention once the initial prescription is in place.

3. A nurse is caring for a client following an acute myocardial infarction who is concerned about fatigue. What is the best strategy to promote independence in self-care?

• A. Instruct the client to remain in bed until the fatigue resolves
• B. Encourage the client to gradually resume self-care tasks with frequent rest periods
• C. Assign assistive personnel to perform all self-care tasks for the client
• D. Ask the client's family to assist with self-care

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Encouraging the client to gradually resume self-care tasks with frequent rest periods is the best strategy to promote independence while managing fatigue. This approach allows the client to regain confidence in their abilities and fosters independence. Option A is incorrect as prolonged bed rest can lead to deconditioning and worsen fatigue. Option C is not promoting independence as it involves delegating all self-care tasks to others. Option D involves family assistance, which may be helpful but does not directly promote the client's independence in self-care.

4. A nurse is collecting data from a client who has Tourette syndrome. The client reports taking haloperidol 0.5 mL orally three times a day at home. Which of the following components of the prescription should the nurse question?

• A. Frequency
• B. Dosage
• C. Timing of doses
• D. Route

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The nurse should question the dosage of haloperidol as it is typically administered in milligrams (mg) and not milliliters (mL). The dosage should be expressed in a standardized unit for accuracy and to prevent medication errors. Frequency, timing of doses, and route are also important components of a prescription, but in this case, the nurse should focus on the unusual dosage form.

5. When reviewing the medical record of a client with dementia, what should the nurse prioritize addressing?

• A. Mild confusion in the morning
• B. Restlessness and agitation
• C. Incontinence
• D. Frequent wandering at night

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When caring for clients with dementia, addressing restlessness and agitation is a priority as it can lead to distress, safety risks, and potential harm to the client or others. Restlessness and agitation are common behavioral symptoms of dementia and can indicate unmet needs, discomfort, or confusion. Managing these symptoms promptly can help improve the client's quality of life and prevent complications such as falls, injuries, or escalation of challenging behaviors. While other issues like mild confusion, incontinence, and wandering are also important to address, managing restlessness and agitation takes precedence due to its immediate impact on the client's well-being and safety.

Similar Questions