Nursing Elites

1. The client has been taking divalproex (Depakote) for the management of bipolar disorder. The nurse should give priority to monitoring which laboratory test?

• A. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
• B. Serum glucose
• C. Serum creatinine
• D. Serum electrolytes

Correct answer: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

Rationale: The correct answer is Alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Monitoring ALT levels is crucial when a patient is taking divalproex (Depakote) due to the risk of drug-induced hepatitis. Elevated ALT levels indicate liver damage or disorders, which can be a side effect of Depakote. Serum glucose (choice B) is not the priority for monitoring in this case, as the medication does not directly affect glucose levels. Serum creatinine (choice C) is not the most relevant test to monitor for Depakote use; it primarily assesses kidney function. Serum electrolytes (choice D) are important but do not take precedence over monitoring ALT levels when a patient is on Depakote.

2. A patient has a history of cardiac arrhythmia. A nurse has been ordered to give 2 units of blood to this patient. The nurse should take which of the following actions?

• A. Administer pain medication to the patient.
• B. Inform the patient’s family about the procedure in person.
• C. Decrease the temperature of the blood to be given.
• D. Increase the temperature of the blood to be given.

Correct answer: Increase the temperature of the blood to be given.

Rationale: In patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmia, warming the blood before transfusion can help prevent additional arrhythmias. Cold blood can lead to arrhythmias and should be avoided. Administering pain medication (Choice A) is not directly related to the safe administration of blood. Informing the patient's family in person (Choice B) is important but not the immediate action required for safe transfusion. Decreasing the temperature of the blood to be given (Choice C) would increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmia, contrary to the goal of ensuring patient safety.

3. When auscultating breath sounds, the nurse auscultates over the following locations:

• A. Trachea and lateral areas of thoracic cage
• B. Anterior and posterior aspects of all lung fields
• C. The mid section as well as the lateral section of the lungs
• D. The mid-clavicular to mid-axillary lines comparing side to side

Correct answer: Anterior and posterior aspects of all lung fields

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Anterior and posterior aspects of all lung fields. When auscultating breath sounds, it is essential to listen to the front (anterior) and back (posterior) aspects of all lung fields. This comprehensive approach allows for a thorough assessment of breath sounds throughout the lungs. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Choice A is too limited as it only focuses on the trachea and lateral areas, not covering all lung fields. Choice C is also too limited, referring to specific sections of the lungs (mid section and lateral section). Choice D is incorrect as it suggests comparing specific lines on the chest (mid-clavicular to mid-axillary), which is not a standard practice for auscultating breath sounds.

4. A client has chronic respiratory acidosis caused by end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Oxygen is delivered at 1 L/min via nasal cannula. The nurse teaches the family that the reason for this is to avoid respiratory depression, based on which of the following explanations?

• A. COPD clients are stimulated to breathe by hypoxia.
• B. COPD clients depend on a low carbon dioxide level.
• C. COPD clients tend to retain hydrogen ions if they are given high doses of oxygen.
• D. COPD clients thrive on a high oxygen level.

Correct answer: COPD clients are stimulated to breathe by hypoxia.

Rationale: In clients with COPD and chronic respiratory acidosis, they are compensating for low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels. Hypoxia acts as the main stimulus to breathe in individuals with chronic hypercapnia. When oxygen is administered, it can decrease the respiratory drive by eliminating the hypoxic drive and reducing the stimulus to breathe. Therefore, delivering oxygen at 1 L/min via nasal cannula helps prevent respiratory depression by maintaining the hypoxic drive to breathe. The other options are incorrect: COPD clients do not depend on a low carbon dioxide level as they are chronically hypercapnic, they do not retain hydrogen ions with high oxygen doses, and they do not thrive on a high oxygen level.

5. A client returns to the nursing unit post-thoracotomy with two chest tubes in place connected to a drainage device. The client’s spouse asks the nurse about the reason for having two chest tubes. The nurse’s response is based on the knowledge that the upper chest tube is placed to:

• A. Remove air from the pleural space
• B. Create access for irrigating the chest cavity
• C. Evacuate secretions from the bronchioles and alveoli
• D. Drain blood and fluid from the pleural space

Correct answer: Remove air from the pleural space

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Remove air from the pleural space.' When a client has two chest tubes in place post-thoracotomy, the upper chest tube is typically positioned to remove air from the pleural space. Air rises, so placing the tube at the top allows for efficient removal of air that has accumulated in the pleural cavity. Choice B, creating access for irrigating the chest cavity, is incorrect as chest tubes are not primarily used for irrigation. Choice C, evacuating secretions from the bronchioles and alveoli, is incorrect as chest tubes are not designed for this purpose. Choice D, draining blood and fluid from the pleural space, is also incorrect as the upper chest tube in this scenario is specifically for removing air, not blood or fluid.

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