Nursing Elites

1. What is the most abundant positive ion in blood plasma?

• A. Potassium.
• B. Calcium.
• C. Sodium.
• D. Both potassium and sodium are in equal concentrations.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Sodium. Sodium (Na+) is the most abundant cation in the extracellular fluid, including blood plasma. It plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, and is essential for various physiological processes. Choice A, Potassium, is also an important ion in the body but is predominantly found intracellularly. Choice B, Calcium, is an essential mineral in the body but is not the most abundant positive ion in blood plasma. Choice D is incorrect as sodium is the primary positive ion in blood plasma, with a much higher concentration compared to potassium.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a serum calcium level of 14 mg/dL. Which provider order should the nurse implement first?

• A. Encourage oral fluid intake.
• B. Connect the client to a cardiac monitor.
• C. Assess urinary output.
• D. Administer oral calcitonin (Calcimar).

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage oral fluid intake. With a serum calcium level of 14 mg/dL, the client is at risk of hypercalcemia. Encouraging oral fluid intake helps to promote hydration and can help prevent further elevation of calcium levels. Connecting the client to a cardiac monitor (Choice B) is important but not the first priority in this situation. Assessing urinary output (Choice C) is relevant but does not address the immediate concern of high serum calcium levels. Administering oral calcitonin (Calcimar) (Choice D) may be a treatment option later, but the first step should be to address hydration.

3. The nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral IV catheter into a patient who will require fluids and IV antibiotics. How should the nurse always start the process of insertion?

• A. Leave one hand ungloved to assess the site.
• B. Cleanse the skin with normal saline.
• C. Ask the patient about allergies to latex or iodine.
• D. Remove excessive hair from the selected site.

Correct answer: C

Rationale:

4. You are the surgical nurse caring for a 65-year-old female patient who is postoperative day 1 following a thyroidectomy. During your shift assessment, the patient complains of tingling in her lips and fingers. She tells you that she has an intermittent spasm in her wrist and hand and she exhibits increased muscle tone. What electrolyte imbalance should you first suspect?

• A. Hypophosphatemia
• B. Hypocalcemia
• C. Hypermagnesemia
• D. Hyperkalemia

Correct answer: B

Rationale:

5. Which negative ion is most important in intracellular fluid?

• A. Phosphate ions.
• B. Protein molecules.
• C. Chlorine.
• D. Phosphate ions and protein molecules.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Intracellular fluid contains phosphate ions and protein molecules as essential anions. Phosphate ions play a crucial role in various cellular processes, including energy transfer. Proteins, being large molecules with negative charges, also contribute significantly to the negative ion concentration within cells. Chlorine is primarily an extracellular anion and is not as prominent as phosphate ions and proteins within intracellular fluid, making it a less important negative ion in this context. Therefore, the correct answer is D because both phosphate ions and protein molecules are crucial negative ions in intracellular fluid.

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