Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A client’s bloodwork indicates that he has severe hypokalemia.
What is a priority nursing intervention?
A. Place the client on a cardiac monitor.
This is because hypokalemia (low potassium level in the blood) can cause abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia) that can be life-threatening and require urgent medical attention. A cardiac monitor can help detect and treat any arrhythmia that may occur.
B. Administer a laxative as ordered.
Choice B is wrong because administering a laxative can worsen hypokalemia by causing more potassium loss through the digestive tract. Laxative use is one of the possible causes of hypokalemia.
C. Place the client on seizure precautions.
Choice C is wrong because placing the client on seizure precautions is not a priority intervention for hypokalemia. Seizures are not a common symptom of hypokalemia, although muscle weakness and cramps may occur.
D. Restrict high potassium foods.
Choice D is wrong because restricting high potassium foods is not a priority intervention for hypokalemia. In fact, increasing potassium intake through foods or supplements may be helpful in less serious cases of hypokalemia. However, this should be done according to the doctor’s recommendation and with careful monitoring of blood potassium levels. Normal blood potassium levels for an adult range from 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). A very low potassium level (less than 2.5 mmol/L) can be life threatening.
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Full Explanation
This is because hypokalemia (low potassium level in the blood) can cause abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia) that can be life-threatening and require urgent medical attention. A cardiac monitor can help detect and treat any arrhythmia that may occur.
Choice B is wrong because administering a laxative can worsen hypokalemia by causing more potassium loss through the digestive tract. Laxative use is one of the possible causes of hypokalemia.
Choice C is wrong because placing the client on seizure precautions is not a priority intervention for hypokalemia. Seizures are not a common symptom of hypokalemia, although muscle weakness and cramps may occur.
Choice D is wrong because restricting high potassium foods is not a priority intervention for hypokalemia. In fact, increasing potassium intake through foods or supplements may be helpful in less serious cases of hypokalemia. However, this should be done according to the doctor’s recommendation and with careful monitoring of blood potassium levels.
Normal blood potassium levels for an adult range from 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). A very low potassium level (less than 2.5 mmol/L) can be life threatening.
Similar Questions
A public health nurse is assessing an older adult client who lives with a family member.
The nurse identifies several bruises in various stages of healing. The client and family members explain that the bruises are a result of clumsiness. However, based on the distribution of the bruises, the nurse suspects abuse.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Investigate further to confirm the suspicion.
Choice A is wrong because investigating further to confirm the suspicion is not within the nurse’s scope of practice and could delay the reporting process.
B. Report the findings.
The nurse has a legal and ethical obligation to report any suspected abuse of a vulnerable client, such as an older adult. Reporting the findings is the first action the nurse should take to protect the client and initiate an investigation by the appropriate authorities.
C. Provide the client with a crisis hotline number.
Choice C is wrong because providing the client with a crisis hotline number is not enough to ensure the client’s safety and well-being. The client might not be able to access the hotline or might be afraid to use it.
D. Discuss respite care with the client’s family.
Choice D is wrong because discussing respite care with the client’s family is not appropriate at this stage. The nurse should not assume that the family member is willing or able to provide adequate care for the client. Respite care might be an option after the abuse is reported and investigated.
Full Explanation
The nurse has a legal and ethical obligation to report any suspected abuse of a vulnerable client, such as an older adult. Reporting the findings is the first action the nurse should take to protect the client and initiate an investigation by the appropriate authorities.
Choice A is wrong because investigating further to confirm the suspicion is not within the nurse’s scope of practice and could delay the reporting process.
Choice C is wrong because providing the client with a crisis hotline number is not enough to ensure the client’s safety and well-being.
The client might not be able to access the hotline or might be afraid to use it.
Choice D is wrong because discussing respite care with the client’s family is not appropriate at this stage.
The nurse should not assume that the family member is willing or able to provide adequate care for the client.
Respite care might be an option after the abuse is reported and investigated.
Your patient was outdoors and developed hypothermia.
You know that independent nursing interventions would include:
A. Soaking extremities in hot water.
Soaking extremities in hot water (choice A) is not recommended because it can cause vasodilation and hypotension
B. Administering warmed intravenous fluids.
Administering warmed intravenous fluids (choice B) and administering hot whirlpool therapy (choice C) are not independent nursing interventions because they require a physician’s order. They are also not appropriate for mild to moderate hypothermia because they can cause rapid rewarming and cardiac
C. Administering hot whirlpool therapy.
Administering warmed intravenous fluids (choice B) and administering hot whirlpool therapy (choice C) are not independent nursing interventions because they require a physician’s order. They are also not appropriate for mild to moderate hypothermia because they can cause rapid rewarming and cardiacdysrhythmias.
D. Replacing wet clothing with dry clothing.
Replacing wet clothing with dry clothing is an independent nursing intervention that can help prevent further heat loss and gradually warm the patient.
Full Explanation
Replacing wet clothing with dry clothing is an independent nursing intervention that can help prevent further heat loss and gradually warm the patient. Soaking extremities in hot water (choice A) is not recommended because it can cause vasodilation and hypotension. Administering warmed intravenous fluids (choice B) and administering hot whirlpool therapy (choice C) are not independent nursing interventions because they require a physician’s order. They are also not appropriate for mild to moderate hypothermia because they can cause rapid rewarming and cardiac dysrhythmias.
A client sees his primary care physician for complaints of fatigue. Bloodwork shows the client is anemic.
Upon physical assessment, what signs would the provider expect to see? (Select all that apply)
A. Bradypnea.
Choice A is wrong because bradypnea is abnormally slow breathing, which is not a sign of anemia. Anemia can cause tachypnea, which is abnormally fast breathing.
B. Tachycardia.
It isa signof anaemia, which is a condition in which the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body’s tissues.
C. Nail bed pallor.
It isa signof anaemia, which is a condition in which the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body’s tissues.
D. Pallor of conjunctiva.
It isa signof anaemia, which is a condition in which the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body’s tissues.
Full Explanation
These are signs of anemia, which is a condition in which the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body’s tissues.
Anemia can cause fatigue, weakness, pale skin, cold hands and feet, dizziness, reduced immunity and shortness of breath.
Choice A is wrong because bradypnea is abnormally slow breathing, which is not a sign of anemia. Anemia can cause tachypnea, which is abnormally fast breathing.
Choice E is wrong because flushed skin is not a sign of anemia. Anemia can cause pallor, which is pale or yellowish skin.
Flushed skin can be a sign of other conditions, such as fever, infection or allergic reaction.
Normal ranges for hemoglobin levels vary depending on age and gender. For adult males, the normal range is 13.5 to 17.5 grams per deciliter (g/dL) of blood. For adult females, the normal range is 12 to 15.5 g/dL of blood.