Nursing Elites

1. The healthcare provider is evaluating a patient's laboratory results. Based on the laboratory findings, what results will cause the release of an antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?

• A. Increased serum sodium
• B. Decreased serum sodium
• C. Decrease in serum osmolality
• D. Decrease in thirst

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increased serum sodium. When serum sodium levels increase, it triggers the release of ADH by the posterior pituitary gland. ADH helps in retaining water, reducing urine output, and maintaining fluid balance. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because decreased serum sodium, decrease in serum osmolality, and decrease in thirst do not stimulate the release of ADH.

2. What is the fluid that surrounds the cells called?

• A. plasma
• B. interstitial fluid
• C. intracellular fluid
• D. edema

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is interstitial fluid. Interstitial fluid is the fluid that surrounds and fills the spaces between cells, facilitating nutrient and waste exchange. Plasma, referred to in choice A, is the liquid part of blood. Choice C, intracellular fluid, is the fluid inside cells. Choice D, edema, is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in interstitial spaces, causing swelling.

3. While assessing a patient's peripheral IV site, you note edema around the insertion site. How should you document this complication related to IV therapy?

• A. Air emboli
• B. Phlebitis
• C. Infiltration
• D. Fluid overload

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Infiltration is the administration of a nonvesicant solution or medication into the surrounding tissue, typically due to the dislodgement or perforation of the vein wall by the IV cannula. It is characterized by edema around the insertion site, leakage of IV fluid, discomfort, coolness, and a decrease in flow rate. In this scenario, the presence of edema indicates infiltration, not air emboli, phlebitis, or fluid overload. Air emboli refer to air bubbles in the bloodstream, phlebitis is inflammation of the vein, and fluid overload is an excessive volume of fluid in the circulatory system.

4. A female patient is discharged from the hospital after having an episode of heart failure. She's prescribed daily oral doses of digoxin (Lanoxin) and furosemide (Lasix). Two days later, she tells her community health nurse that she feels weak and her heart 'flutters' frequently. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Tell the patient to rest more often.
• B. Tell the patient to stop taking the digoxin and call the physician.
• C. Call the physician, report the symptoms, and request to draw a blood sample to determine the patient's potassium level.
• D. Tell the patient to avoid foods that contain caffeine.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to call the physician, report the symptoms, and request to draw a blood sample to determine the patient's potassium level. Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic, and low potassium levels can lead to weakness and palpitations. Resting more often won't address the underlying issue of hypokalemia caused by furosemide. While digoxin can have side effects, it is not causing the symptoms described by the patient. Avoiding caffeine may be beneficial, but addressing the potassium level is more critical in this situation.

5. A nurse in the medical-surgical unit has a newly admitted patient who is oliguric; the acute care nurse practitioner orders a fluid challenge of 100 to 200 mL of normal saline solution over 15 minutes. The nurse is aware this intervention will help:

• A. Distinguish hyponatremia from hypernatremia
• B. Evaluate pituitary gland function
• C. Distinguish reduced renal blood flow from decreased renal function
• D. Provide an effective treatment for hypertension-induced oliguria

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Administering a fluid challenge in oliguric patients helps to distinguish reduced renal blood flow from decreased renal function. This intervention aids in determining whether the oliguria is due to reduced renal blood flow (such as in fluid volume deficit or prerenal azotemia) or decreased renal function (such as in acute tubular necrosis). The response to this challenge can indicate the underlying cause. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the purpose of a fluid challenge in oliguric patients.

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