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 nurse is teaching a client who has Parkinson's disease about dietary modifications. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Eat high-protein, high-calorie meals
• B. Drink milk with every meal
• C. Avoid foods high in carbohydrates
• D. Drink carbonated beverages with meals

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Eat high-protein, high-calorie meals.' Individuals with Parkinson's disease benefit from consuming high-protein, high-calorie meals to help maintain muscle mass and energy levels. This dietary modification is important in managing the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Choice B is incorrect because there is no specific requirement for drinking milk with every meal for individuals with Parkinson's disease. Choice C is incorrect as carbohydrates are also essential for a balanced diet and should not be completely avoided. Choice D is incorrect as carbonated beverages may interfere with the absorption of nutrients from food and are not recommended for individuals with Parkinson's disease.

3. What is the proper technique for obtaining a blood specimen from a central venous line?

• A. Use sterile gloves and discard the first 10 mL of blood
• B. Flush the line with heparin and then draw the specimen
• C. Draw the specimen and then administer heparin
• D. Use non-sterile gloves to reduce contamination risk

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct technique for obtaining a blood specimen from a central venous line is to use sterile gloves and discard the first 10 mL of blood. This practice helps ensure that the blood sample collected is not contaminated. Choice B is incorrect because flushing the line with heparin before drawing the specimen can contaminate the sample. Choice C is incorrect as administering heparin before drawing the specimen can affect the accuracy of the blood sample. Choice D is incorrect as using non-sterile gloves increases the risk of contamination, which is not recommended when obtaining a blood specimen from a central venous line.

4. An RN is making assignments for client care to an LPN at the beginning of the shift. Which of the following assignments should the LPN question?

• A. Assisting a client who is 24 hr postop to use an incentive spirometer
• B. Collecting a clean catch urine specimen from a client who was admitted on the previous shift
• C. Providing nasopharyngeal suctioning for a client who has pneumonia
• D. Replacing the cartridge and tubing on a PCA pump

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The LPN should question the assignment of replacing the PCA pump cartridge and tubing as it is outside the LPN's scope of practice. LPNs are not trained to handle tasks related to PCA pumps, which involve medication administration and monitoring that are typically within the RN's responsibilities. Assisting a postop client with an incentive spirometer (Choice A), collecting a clean catch urine specimen (Choice B), and providing nasopharyngeal suctioning for a client with pneumonia (Choice C) are all tasks that fall within the LPN's scope of practice and do not require questioning by the LPN.

5. A client with diabetes mellitus is experiencing hypoglycemia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Administer insulin
• B. Administer glucagon
• C. Administer 4 oz of orange juice
• D. Administer 1 L of water

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Administering 4 oz of orange juice is the appropriate action for a client experiencing hypoglycemia due to diabetes mellitus. Orange juice contains simple sugars that can quickly raise blood glucose levels. Insulin (Choice A) would further lower blood sugar, worsening the condition. Glucagon (Choice B) is used in severe hypoglycemia when the client cannot take anything by mouth. Administering 1 L of water (Choice D) is not indicated in hypoglycemia treatment; the priority is to raise blood sugar levels. Therefore, the correct choice is to administer orange juice to address the low blood sugar in this situation.

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