Nursing Elites

1. Which electrolyte imbalance is a common concern for patients on loop diuretics?

• A. Hypokalemia
• B. Hyperkalemia
• C. Hyponatremia
• D. Hypercalcemia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Hypokalemia. Loop diuretics can lead to potassium loss, resulting in hypokalemia. This imbalance is a common concern because potassium plays a vital role in various physiological functions, including maintaining proper heart function. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because loop diuretics typically do not cause hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, or hypercalcemia.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a cholecystectomy. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
• B. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
• C. Serosanguineous wound drainage
• D. Bile-colored drainage from the surgical site

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Bile-colored drainage from the surgical site can indicate a bile leak, which is an abnormal finding and should be reported. A blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg and a temperature of 37.2°C (99°F) are within normal ranges for a postoperative client. Serosanguineous wound drainage, which is a mix of blood and serum, is expected following a surgery like cholecystectomy. Therefore, choices A, B, and C are not findings that require immediate reporting.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a prescription for digoxin. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Heart rate of 60/min
• B. Respiratory rate of 16/min
• C. Sodium level of 138 mEq/L
• D. Weight gain of 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) in 24 hours

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. A weight gain of 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) in 24 hours can indicate fluid retention and worsening heart failure in clients taking digoxin. This rapid weight gain could be due to fluid accumulation, a common sign of heart failure exacerbation. Reporting this finding to the provider is crucial for prompt intervention. Choices A, B, and C are within normal ranges and not directly indicative of worsening heart failure in this context, making them less urgent to report compared to the significant weight gain.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who has acute pancreatitis. Which of the following interventions should the nurse take?

• A. Encourage oral intake of clear liquids
• B. Administer an antiemetic before meals
• C. Insert a nasogastric tube for suction
• D. Place the client in a supine position

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In acute pancreatitis, the gastrointestinal tract needs to rest to reduce pancreatic enzyme secretion. Inserting a nasogastric tube for suction helps decompress the stomach and reduce stimulation of the pancreas. Encouraging oral intake of clear liquids (Choice A) or administering an antiemetic before meals (Choice B) may aggravate the condition by stimulating the pancreas. Placing the client in a supine position (Choice D) may not directly address the underlying issue of reducing pancreatic stimulation.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to determine the effectiveness of the medication?

• A. Hemoglobin
• B. Platelet count
• C. Prothrombin time (PT)
• D. International normalized ratio (INR)

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, International normalized ratio (INR). INR is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of warfarin, an anticoagulant medication. Warfarin works by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. Monitoring the INR helps assess how well the medication is working to prevent blood clots. Choices A, B, and C are not specific indicators for monitoring the effectiveness of warfarin. Hemoglobin levels primarily assess the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells, platelet count evaluates the clotting ability of blood, and PT measures the time it takes for blood to clot. While these values are important for overall health assessment, they do not directly reflect the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.

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