how should a nurse assess a patient with hyperkalemia how should a nurse assess a patient with hyperkalemia
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Nursing Elites

ATI LPN

ATI Comprehensive Predictor PN

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

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 nurse is assessing a client who has been taking lithium carbonate. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Tremors. Tremors are a sign of lithium toxicity and should be reported immediately. Increased urination is a common side effect of lithium but not an urgent concern requiring immediate reporting. Weight gain is also a common side effect of lithium but does not indicate toxicity. Blurred vision is not typically associated with lithium toxicity; therefore, it is not the priority finding to report.

3. A nurse is caring for a client in preterm labor who is receiving magnesium sulfate by continuous IV infusion. Which of the following client findings indicates medication toxicity?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A urine output of 20 mL per hour is low and indicates renal insufficiency, a sign of magnesium sulfate toxicity. The medication is excreted by the kidneys, so toxicity can occur if renal function declines. Blood glucose of 150 mg/dL is within normal range and not indicative of magnesium sulfate toxicity. A systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg is elevated but not specifically related to magnesium sulfate toxicity. A BUN level of 20 mg/dL is also within normal limits and not a sign of medication toxicity.

4. Which intervention should a healthcare professional implement to help a patient with social anxiety disorder?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Teaching cognitive restructuring techniques is an effective intervention for patients with social anxiety disorder. This approach helps individuals challenge and change their negative thought patterns, leading to improved coping mechanisms in social situations. Choice A, encouraging participation in group therapy sessions, may be overwhelming for individuals with social anxiety. Choice B, suggesting relaxation techniques, may offer short-term relief but does not address the underlying cognitive distortions. Choice C, advising avoidance of social situations, reinforces avoidance behaviors and does not promote long-term improvement in managing social anxiety.

5. A nurse in a long-term care facility is serving on the ethics committee, which is addressing a client care dilemma. Which of the following strategies will facilitate resolving the dilemma?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In resolving ethical dilemmas, it is essential to identify possible solutions to address the client care dilemma effectively. Option A, 'Ensure client autonomy only,' is not comprehensive enough to resolve complex ethical issues. Option B, 'Consider only medical benefits,' overlooks other important factors beyond medical benefits that are involved in ethical decision-making. Option C, 'Ensure clear communication among the health care team,' is important but may not be sufficient on its own to resolve the ethical dilemma. Therefore, the most effective strategy among the given options is to identify possible solutions to navigate through the ethical dilemma.

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