Nursing Elites

1. The healthcare provider is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. Which laboratory value should be monitored closely?

• A. Serum sodium of 135 mEq/L
• B. Serum potassium of 4.5 mEq/L
• C. Serum creatinine of 1.8 mg/dl
• D. Serum glucose of 200 mg/dl

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a client with left-sided heart failure, monitoring serum creatinine is crucial to evaluate kidney function and fluid balance. Elevated creatinine levels can indicate impaired kidney function, which is common in heart failure due to decreased cardiac output and renal perfusion. Serum sodium levels (choice A) are important but are more closely associated with fluid balance and heart failure exacerbation. Serum potassium (choice B) is also important to monitor, but it is more closely linked to cardiac arrhythmias rather than kidney function. Serum glucose levels (choice D) are significant but are not the priority for monitoring in left-sided heart failure.

2. A client with type 1 diabetes is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which intervention is most important?

• A. Administer intravenous fluids as prescribed.
• B. Monitor the client's urine output.
• C. Administer insulin as prescribed.
• D. Administer 50% dextrose IV push.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Administering insulin is the most important intervention in managing diabetic ketoacidosis. In DKA, there is a lack of insulin leading to hyperglycemia and ketosis. Insulin administration helps to reduce blood glucose levels and correct metabolic acidosis, which are crucial in treating DKA. Administering intravenous fluids helps with dehydration, monitoring urine output is important to assess renal function, but the priority is addressing the underlying cause of DKA by administering insulin. Administering 50% dextrose IV push is incorrect as it would further elevate blood glucose levels, which is contraindicated in DKA.

3. An adult male who lives alone is brought to the Emergency Department by his daughter who found him unresponsive. Initial assessment indicated that the client has minimal respiratory effort, and his pupils are fixed and dilated. At the daughter's request, the client is intubated and ventilated. Which nursing intervention has the highest priority?

• A. Notify the client's minister of his condition.
• B. Determine if the client has an executed living will.
• C. Provide the family with information about palliative care.
• D. Discuss the possibility of organ donation with the family.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Verifying whether the client has an executed living will is crucial to ensuring that his treatment preferences are followed. In this critical situation, knowing the client's wishes regarding medical interventions is paramount. Options A, C, and D are not the highest priority as they do not directly address the immediate need to determine the client's treatment preferences.

4. In a client with cirrhosis admitted with jaundice and ascites, which laboratory value is most concerning?

• A. Serum bilirubin of 3.0 mg/dl
• B. Serum albumin of 3.0 g/dl
• C. Serum ammonia level of 80 mcg/dl
• D. Serum sodium level of 135 mEq/L

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A serum ammonia level of 80 mcg/dl is most concerning in a client with cirrhosis as it may indicate hepatic encephalopathy, requiring immediate intervention. Elevated ammonia levels are associated with impaired liver function and can lead to mental status changes. Serum bilirubin (Choice A) is elevated in cirrhosis but not as concerning for acute intervention as high ammonia levels. Serum albumin (Choice B) and serum sodium (Choice D) levels are important in cirrhotic patients but are not as directly associated with hepatic encephalopathy as ammonia levels.

5. A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube (NGT) in a client. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Assess the client's history for nasal trauma or surgery
• B. Ask the client to cough and deep breathe.
• C. Measure the length of the tube to be inserted.
• D. Explain the procedure to the client and obtain consent.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse to take when preparing to insert a nasogastric tube (NGT) in a client is to explain the procedure to the client and obtain consent. It is crucial to ensure that the client is informed about the procedure, understands it, and consents to it before proceeding. Assessing the client's history for nasal trauma or surgery (Choice A) is important but can be done after obtaining consent. Asking the client to cough and deep breathe (Choice B) is not directly related to the initial step of preparing for NGT insertion. Measuring the length of the tube to be inserted (Choice C) is a necessary step but should come after explaining the procedure and obtaining consent.

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