Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A client is being discharged after having a thyroidectomy. Which discharge instructions are appropriate for this client? Select all that apply.
A. Take thyroid replacement medication, as ordered.
Take thyroid replacement medication, as ordered. This is crucial for individuals who have undergone a thyroidectomy, as they will likely need thyroid hormone replacement therapy to maintain normal thyroid function.
B. Watch for changes in body functioning, such as lethargy, restlessness, sensitivity to cold, and dry skin Report them to the physician,
Watch for changes in body functioning, such as lethargy, restlessness, sensitivity to cold, and dry skin. Report them to the physician.These symptoms could indicate potential issues with thyroid hormone levels and should be reported to the physician for further evaluation.
C. Recognize the signs of dehydration
Recognize the signs of dehydration. This is important for overall health and can be especially relevant post-surgery. Dehydration can exacerbate other issues and slow down the healing process.
D. Carry injectable dexamethasone at all times.
Carry injectable dexamethasone at all times. This is not a standard discharge instruction after a thyroidectomy. Dexamethasone may be prescribed for specific situations, but it is not a routine medication for all patients post-thyroidectomy.
E. Report any signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia
Report any signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. This is important because thyroidectomy can affect blood sugar levels. Monitoring for signs of hypoglycemia is crucial for the client's well-being.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - RN ATI Medsurg Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A. Take thyroid replacement medication, as ordered. This is crucial for individuals who have undergone a thyroidectomy, as they will likely need thyroid hormone replacement therapy to maintain normal thyroid function.
B. Watch for changes in body functioning, such as lethargy, restlessness, sensitivity to cold, and dry skin. Report them to the physician.
These symptoms could indicate potential issues with thyroid hormone levels and should be reported to the physician for further evaluation.
C. Recognize the signs of dehydration. This is important for overall health and can be especially relevant post-surgery. Dehydration can exacerbate other issues and slow down the healing process.
D. Carry injectable dexamethasone at all times. This is not a standard discharge instruction after a thyroidectomy. Dexamethasone may be prescribed for specific situations, but it is not a routine medication for all patients post-thyroidectomy.
E. Report any signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. This is important because thyroidectomy can affect blood sugar levels. Monitoring for signs of hypoglycemia is crucial for the client's well-being.
Similar Questions
A nurse is teaching an older adult client who has diabetes mellitus about preventing the long term complications of retinopathy and nephropathy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Have an eye examination once per year
Have an eye examination once per year - Regular eye examinations are crucial for detecting and managing retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes.
B. Examine your feet carefully every day
Examine your feet carefully every day - Daily foot examinations are essential to detect any early signs of foot problems, which is particularly important in preventing complications like nephropathy.
C. Wear compression stockings
Wear compression stockings - Compression stockings are not directly related to preventing retinopathy and nephropathy in diabetes. They are more commonly used to improve blood flow in the legs.
D. "Maintain stable blood glucose level
"Maintain stable blood glucose levels" - While maintaining stable blood glucose levels is important for overall diabetes management, it is not specific to preventing retinopathy and nephropathy. It is a general principle for managing diabetes.
Full Explanation
A. Have an eye examination once per year - Regular eye examinations are crucial for detecting and managing retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes.
B. Examine your feet carefully every day - Daily foot examinations are essential to detect any early signs of foot problems, which is particularly important in preventing complications like nephropathy.
C. Wear compression stockings - Compression stockings are not directly related to preventing retinopathy and nephropathy in diabetes. They are more commonly used to improve blood flow in the legs.
D. "Maintain stable blood glucose levels" - While maintaining stable blood glucose levels is important for overall diabetes management, it is not specific to preventing retinopathy and nephropathy. It is a general principle for managing diabetes.
A nurse working for a home health agency is teaching a client who has diabetes mellitus about disease management. Which of the following glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values should the nurse include in the teaching as an indicator that the client is appropriately controlling his glucose levels?
A. 6.3%
6.3% - This HbA1c level indicates good blood glucose control. It suggests that the client has been effectively managing their blood sugar levels over the past few months.
B. 7.86
7.86 - This is an atypical way of presenting HbA1c values. Typically, it is expressed as a percentage, so this value needs to be converted to be compared accurately.
C. 10%
10% - This HbA1c level is elevated and indicates poor blood glucose control. It suggests that the client's blood sugar levels have been consistently high over the past few months.
D. 8.56%
8.56% - This HbA1c level is elevated and indicates poor blood glucose control. It suggests that the client's blood sugar levels have been consistently high over the past few months.
Full Explanation
A. 6.3% - This HbA1c level indicates good blood glucose control. It suggests that the client has been effectively managing their blood sugar levels over the past few months.
B. 7.86 - This is an atypical way of presenting HbA1c values. Typically, it is expressed as a percentage, so this value needs to be converted to be compared accurately.
C. 10% - This HbA1c level is elevated and indicates poor blood glucose control. It suggests that the client's blood sugar levels have been consistently high over the past few months.
D. 8.56% - This HbA1c level is elevated and indicates poor blood glucose control. It suggests that the client's blood sugar levels have been consistently high over the past few months.
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for four clients. The nurse should recognize which of the following clients has a manifestation of hypoparathyroidism?
A. A client who has a calcium of 9.3 mg/d
A client who has a calcium of 9.3 mg/dL - This calcium level is within the normal range (8.5-10.2 mg/dL) and does not indicate hypoparathyroidism.
B. Aclient who has a phosphate of 5.7 mg/cl
A client who has a phosphate of 5.7 mg/dL - An elevated phosphate level is a manifestation of hypoparathyroidism. In hypoparathyroidism, there is a decrease in parathyroid hormone (PTH) production, which leads to decreased calcium absorption and increased phosphate levels.
C. A client who has a vitamin D of 25 ng/mL
A client who has a vitamin D of 25 ng/mL - This vitamin D level is within the normal range and does not specifically indicate hypoparathyroidism.
D. Aclient who has a magnesium of 1.8 mg/L
A client who has a magnesium of 1.8 mg/dL - This magnesium level is within the normal range and does not specifically indicate hypoparathyroidism.
Full Explanation
A. A client who has a calcium of 9.3 mg/dL - This calcium level is within the normal range (8.5-10.2 mg/dL) and does not indicate hypoparathyroidism.
B. A client who has a phosphate of 5.7 mg/dL - An elevated phosphate level is a manifestation of hypoparathyroidism. In hypoparathyroidism, there is a decrease in parathyroid hormone (PTH) production, which leads to decreased calcium absorption and increased phosphate levels.
C. A client who has a vitamin D of 25 ng/mL - This vitamin D level is within the normal range and does not specifically indicate hypoparathyroidism.
D. A client who has a magnesium of 1.8 mg/dL - This magnesium level is within the normal range and does not specifically indicate hypoparathyroidism.