how should a nurse assess a patient with hyperkalemia

ATI LPN

ATI Comprehensive Predictor PN

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 client with asthma and a new prescription for an ipratropium inhaler is being taught by a nurse. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A. I will rinse my mouth after each use
B. I should wait 5 minutes before taking a second puff
C. I should take this medication when I wake up
D. I should wait 1 minute before taking a second puff

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because waiting 1 minute between puffs ensures proper absorption of the medication. Choice A is incorrect as rinsing the mouth is not a specific instruction related to using the inhaler. Choice B is incorrect as waiting 5 minutes between puffs is longer than necessary. Choice C is incorrect as the timing of medication administration is not specified in the question.

3. What are the key signs of respiratory distress?

A. Increased respiratory rate and use of accessory muscles
B. Decreased respiratory rate and cyanosis
C. Cyanosis and use of accessory muscles
D. Altered mental status and bradycardia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increased respiratory rate and use of accessory muscles are key signs of respiratory distress. When a person is experiencing respiratory distress, their respiratory rate typically increases as the body tries to compensate for the inadequate oxygenation. Additionally, the use of accessory muscles indicates that the person is working harder to breathe. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately represent the key signs of respiratory distress. A decreased respiratory rate, cyanosis, altered mental status, and bradycardia are not typical signs of respiratory distress.

4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client who has heart failure. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the medication has been effective?

A. Cardiac workload decreases
B. Blood pressure increases
C. Respiratory rate increases
D. Temperature decreases

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cardiac workload decreases. Digoxin helps reduce cardiac workload in clients with heart failure, improving symptoms. This reduction in workload indicates that the medication is effective. Choice B, blood pressure increases, is incorrect because digoxin typically does not directly affect blood pressure. Choice C, respiratory rate increases, is incorrect as an increased respiratory rate is not a typical indicator of digoxin effectiveness. Choice D, temperature decreases, is also incorrect as digoxin does not typically affect body temperature.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 41 weeks of gestation and is receiving oxytocin for labor induction. The nurse notes early decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitor. Which of the following nursing actions should the nurse take?

A. Continue to monitor the fetal heart rate.
B. Stop the oxytocin infusion.
C. Perform a vaginal examination.
D. Initiate an amnioinfusion.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for early decelerations, which are caused by fetal head compression and are considered normal during labor, is to continue monitoring the fetal heart rate. Early decelerations mirror contractions and usually do not require any intervention. Stopping the oxytocin infusion (Choice B) is not necessary as early decelerations are not typically a cause for concern related to oxytocin. Performing a vaginal examination (Choice C) or initiating an amnioinfusion (Choice D) are unnecessary and not indicated specifically for early decelerations.