which lab value should be monitored in patients receiving furosemide

ATI RN

ATI RN Exit Exam

1. Which lab value should be monitored in patients receiving furosemide?

A. Monitor potassium levels
B. Monitor sodium levels
C. Monitor calcium levels
D. Monitor glucose levels

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor potassium levels in patients receiving furosemide. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can lead to potassium loss in the urine, potentially causing hypokalemia. Monitoring potassium levels is crucial to prevent complications associated with low potassium levels, such as cardiac arrhythmias. Monitoring sodium levels (choice B) is not typically necessary with furosemide use, as it primarily affects potassium levels. Calcium levels (choice C) and glucose levels (choice D) are not directly impacted by furosemide and require monitoring for other conditions or medications.

2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a wound infection. Which of the following information should the nurse include about home care?

A. Soak the wound in warm water every day
B. Use hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound
C. Apply a cold compress to the wound
D. Keep the wound covered with a dry dressing

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Keep the wound covered with a dry dressing.' When providing care for a wound infection, it is essential to keep the wound covered with a dry dressing to prevent further contamination and promote healing. Soaking the wound in warm water (choice A) can introduce moisture and increase the risk of infection. Using hydrogen peroxide (choice B) can be too harsh and may slow down the healing process by damaging healthy tissue. Applying a cold compress (choice C) is not typically recommended for wound infections, as it may not provide the necessary environment for healing.

3. A client has a chest tube. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?

A. Clamp the chest tube for 15 minutes every 2 hours.
B. Maintain the drainage system below the client's chest.
C. Strip the chest tube every 2 hours.
D. Keep the collection device at the level of the client's chest.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Maintaining the chest tube drainage system below the client's chest level is crucial to ensure proper drainage and prevent complications. Clamping the chest tube can lead to a tension pneumothorax, stripping the chest tube is an outdated practice that can cause damage to the tissues, and keeping the collection device at the level of the client's chest can impede proper drainage and lead to fluid accumulation.

4. How should a healthcare professional assess a patient for dehydration?

A. Check for skin turgor
B. Monitor blood pressure
C. Check for dry mucous membranes
D. Monitor urine output

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Checking for skin turgor is a reliable method to assess dehydration in patients. Skin turgor refers to the skin's elasticity and hydration status. When a healthcare professional gently pinches the skin on the back of the patient's hand or forearm, dehydration is indicated by the skin not snapping back immediately. Monitoring blood pressure (choice B) is important but is more indicative of cardiovascular status rather than dehydration specifically. Checking for dry mucous membranes (choice C) can be a sign of dehydration, but skin turgor is a more direct assessment. Monitoring urine output (choice D) is also essential but may not provide immediate feedback on hydration status as skin turgor does.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent infection?

A. Change the TPN tubing every 48 hours.
B. Change the TPN tubing every 24 hours.
C. Monitor the client's urine output every 8 hours.
D. Monitor the client's weight every 72 hours.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to change the TPN tubing every 24 hours. This action helps reduce the risk of infection because the high glucose content of TPN promotes bacterial growth. Choice A is incorrect as changing the tubing every 48 hours would not provide adequate infection prevention. Option C, monitoring urine output, is important for assessing renal function but is not directly related to preventing TPN-related infections. Option D, monitoring weight, is essential for assessing nutritional status but does not directly address infection prevention in TPN administration.