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. A nurse in the neurologic ICU has orders to infuse a hypertonic solution into a patient with increased intracranial pressure. This solution will increase the number of dissolved particles in the patient's blood, creating pressure for fluids in the tissues to shift into the capillaries and increase the blood volume. This process is best described as which of the following?

• A. Hydrostatic pressure
• B. Osmosis and osmolality
• C. Diffusion
• D. Active transport

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Osmosis and osmolality. Osmosis is the movement of fluid from a region of low solute concentration to a region of high solute concentration across a semipermeable membrane. In this case, the hypertonic solution increases the number of dissolved particles in the blood, causing fluids to shift into the capillaries due to the osmotic pressure gradient. Osmolality refers to the concentration of solutes in a solution. Hydrostatic pressure refers to changes in water or volume related to water pressure, not the movement of fluids due to solute concentration differences. Diffusion is the movement of solutes from an area of greater concentration to lesser concentration; in an intact vascular system, solutes are unable to move freely, so diffusion does not play a significant role in this scenario. Active transport involves the movement of molecules against the concentration gradient with the use of energy, typically at the cellular level, and is not related to the vascular volume changes described in the question.

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. The nurse is caring for a postthyroidectomy patient at risk for hypocalcemia. What action should the nurse take when assessing for hypocalcemia?

• A. Monitor laboratory values daily for an elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone.
• B. Observe for swelling of the neck, tracheal deviation, and severe pain.
• C. Evaluate the quality of the patient's voice postoperatively, noting any drastic changes.
• D. Observe for muscle twitching and numbness or tingling of the lips, fingers, and toes.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Muscle twitching and numbness or tingling of the lips, fingers, and toes are signs of hyperirritability of the nervous system due to hypocalcemia. The other options describe complications the nurse should also be observing for; however, tetany and neurologic alterations are primary indications of hypocalcemia. Monitoring for an elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (choice A) is not relevant in assessing for hypocalcemia. Observing for swelling of the neck, tracheal deviation, and severe pain (choice B) are more related to airway compromise. Evaluating the quality of the patient's voice postoperatively (choice C) is important but not a primary sign of hypocalcemia.

5. The nurse in the intensive care unit receives arterial blood gases (ABG) with a patient who is complaining of being 'short of breath.' The ABG has the following values: pH = 7.21, PaCO2 = 64 mm Hg, HCO3 = 24 mmol/L. The labs reflect:

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

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The ABG values indicate respiratory acidosis. A pH below 7.40, a PaCO2 above 40 mm Hg, and a normal HCO3 level (24 mmol/L) suggest respiratory acidosis. In this case, the patient has an acidic pH (7.21) and an elevated PaCO2 (64 mm Hg), indicating inadequate ventilation. The normal HCO3 level suggests that compensation by the kidneys has not occurred, implying an acute event. Choices B, C, and D can be ruled out based on the given ABG values and the criteria for acid-base disorders.

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