Nursing Elites

1. You are caring for a patient who is being treated on the oncology unit with a diagnosis of lung cancer with bone metastases. During your assessment, you note the patient complains of a new onset of weakness with abdominal pain. Further assessment suggests that the patient likely has a fluid volume deficit. You should recognize that this patient may be experiencing what electrolyte imbalance?

• A. Hypernatremia
• B. Hypomagnesemia
• C. Hypophosphatemia
• D. Hypercalcemia

Correct answer: D

Rationale:

2. What is the function of aldosterone?

• A. Regulates body temperature.
• B. Decreases blood pressure.
• C. Increases sodium reabsorption.
• D. Promotes water excretion.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Aldosterone increases the reabsorption of sodium in the kidneys, which leads to an increase in blood volume and blood pressure. Choice A is incorrect as aldosterone does not regulate body temperature. Choice B is incorrect as aldosterone increases blood pressure by increasing sodium reabsorption. Choice D is incorrect as aldosterone promotes water retention by increasing sodium reabsorption.

3. A nurse is assessing a client with hypokalemia and notes that the client's handgrip strength has diminished since the previous assessment 1 hour ago. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Assess the client's respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth.
• B. Measure the client's pulse and blood pressure.
• C. Document findings and monitor the client.
• D. Call the healthcare provider.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a client with hypokalemia experiencing diminished handgrip strength, the priority action for the nurse is to assess the client's respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth. Hypokalemia can lead to muscle weakness, including respiratory muscles, potentially causing respiratory distress. Assessing the respiratory status is crucial to determine if immediate interventions are needed to maintain adequate oxygenation. Measuring the client's pulse and blood pressure (Choice B) is important but should come after assessing the respiratory status. Simply documenting findings and monitoring the client (Choice C) may delay necessary interventions. Calling the healthcare provider (Choice D) is not the first action indicated in this situation; assessing the client's respiratory status takes precedence.

4. A patient with a longstanding diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder presents to the emergency room. The triage nurse notes upon assessment that the patient is hyperventilating. The triage nurse is aware that hyperventilation is the most common cause of which acid-base imbalance?

• A. Respiratory acidosis
• B. Respiratory alkalosis
• C. Increased PaCO2
• D. CNS disturbances

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Respiratory alkalosis. Hyperventilation, which can be caused by extreme anxiety, is the most common cause of acute respiratory alkalosis. This leads to a decrease in PaCO2 levels. Respiratory acidosis, choice A, occurs in conditions like hypoventilation, leading to an increase in PaCO2 levels. Choice C, Increased PaCO2, is not the correct term for an acid-base imbalance related to hyperventilation. Choice D, CNS disturbances, is not directly related to the acid-base imbalance caused by hyperventilation.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who has the following arterial blood values: pH 7.12, PaO2 56 mm Hg, PaCO2 65 mm Hg, and HCO3 22 mEq/L. Which clinical situation should the nurse correlate with these values?

• A. . Diabetic ketoacidosis in a person with emphysema
• B. Bronchial obstruction related to aspiration of a hot dog
• C. Anxiety-induced hyperventilation in an adolescen
• D. Diarrhea for 36 hours in an older, frail woman

Correct answer: A

Rationale:

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