Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following is not considered an extracellular fluid?

• A. Cerebrospinal fluid
• B. The humors of the eye
• C. Lymph
• D. Cerebrospinal fluid and the humors of the eye

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Cerebrospinal fluid and the humors of the eye are not considered extracellular fluids. Extracellular fluids are fluids found outside the cells, such as interstitial fluid and lymph. Cerebrospinal fluid is found within the central nervous system, while the humors of the eye (aqueous humor and vitreous humor) are located within the eyeball, making them distinct from extracellular fluids.

2. Which substance dissociates into ions in a water solution?

• A. Intracellular fluid
• B. Interstitial fluid
• C. Plasma
• D. Electrolyte

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Electrolyte.' Electrolytes are substances that dissociate into ions when dissolved in water. Intracellular fluid, interstitial fluid, and plasma are not substances that dissociate into ions in a water solution. Intracellular fluid is the fluid inside cells, interstitial fluid is the fluid between cells, and plasma is the liquid component of blood. These choices do not dissociate into ions in a water solution, unlike electrolytes.

3. You are caring for a 65-year-old male patient admitted to your medical unit 72 hours ago with pyloric stenosis. A nasogastric tube placed upon admission has been on low intermittent suction ever since. Upon review of the mornings blood work, you notice that the patients potassium is below reference range. You should recognize that the patient may be at risk for what imbalance?

• A. Hypercalcemia
• B. Metabolic acidosis
• C. Metabolic alkalosis
• D. Respiratory acidosis

Correct answer: C

Rationale:

4. 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.

5. 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 frequently.
• B. Advise the patient to discontinue digoxin and contact the physician.
• C. Contact the physician, report the symptoms, and request a blood sample to determine the patient's potassium level.
• D. Instruct the patient to avoid caffeine-containing foods.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to contact the physician, report the patient's symptoms, and request a blood sample to determine the patient's potassium level. Furosemide, a potassium-wasting diuretic, can lead to hypokalemia, causing weakness and palpitations. Therefore, checking the potassium level is crucial in this situation. Simply telling the patient to rest more frequently won't address the underlying issue of potassium depletion. While digoxin can cause adverse effects, in this case, the symptoms are more likely related to furosemide-induced potassium loss. Instructing the patient to avoid caffeine-containing foods may be beneficial in general, but it wouldn't directly address the potassium depletion that needs urgent attention.

Similar Questions