Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic renal disease and is receiving therapy with epoetin alfa. Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse review for an indication of a therapeutic effect of the medication?
A. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a nonspecific marker of inflammation and is not used to assess the therapeutic effect of epoetin alfa.
B. The hematocrit (Hct)
The hematocrit (Hct) measures the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. Epoetin alfa stimulates the production of red blood cells, leading to an increase in hematocrit levels, indicating a therapeutic effect of the medication.
C. The leukocyte count
The leukocyte count measures the number of white blood cells in the blood and is not relevant for assessing the therapeutic effect of epoetin alfa.
D. The platelet count
The platelet count measures the number of platelets in the blood and is not relevant for assessing the therapeutic effect of epoetin alfa.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Ati Med Surg Proctored Exam 8. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a nonspecific marker of inflammation and is not used to assess the therapeutic effect of epoetin alfa.
B. The hematocrit (Hct) measures the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. Epoetin alfa stimulates the production of red blood cells, leading to an increase in hematocrit levels, indicating a therapeutic effect of the medication.
C. The leukocyte count measures the number of white blood cells in the blood and is not relevant for assessing the therapeutic effect of epoetin alfa.
D. The platelet count measures the number of platelets in the blood and is not relevant for assessing the therapeutic effect of epoetin alfa.
Similar Questions
A nurse is reviewing the BUN and creatinine levels of an older adult client who has chronic kidney disease. The nurse should expect which of the following findings?
A. BUN 45 mg/dL and creatinine 8 mg/dL
These values indicate elevated BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine levels indicating impaired kidney function, typical findings in chronic kidney disease.
B. BUN 8 mg/dL and creatinine 0.7 mg/dL
These are the normal BUN and creatinine levels hence are not indicative of chronic kidney disease.
C. BUN 10 mg/dl and creatinine 0.3 mg/dl
These values are within the normal BUN and creatinine levels hence are not indicative of chronic kidney disease.
D. BUN 23 mg/dl and creatinine 1.0 mg/dl
These are normal BUN and creatinine levels and are not indicative of chronic kidney disease.
Full Explanation
A. These values indicate elevated BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine levels indicating impaired kidney function, typical findings in chronic kidney disease.
B. These are the normal BUN and creatinine levels hence are not indicative of chronic kidney disease.
C. These values are within the normal BUN and creatinine levels hence are not indicative of chronic kidney disease.
D. These are normal BUN and creatinine levels and are not indicative of chronic kidney disease.
A nurse is assessing a client who has hypothyroidism. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Lethargy
Lethargy is a common symptom of hypothyroidism due to decreased metabolic rate and energy levels.
B. Photophobia
Photophobia is not typically associated with hypothyroidism.
C. Weight loss
Weight gain is more common in hypothyroidism due to slowed metabolism, rather than weight loss.
D. Exophthalmos
Exophthalmos is a characteristic feature of hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism.
Full Explanation
A. Lethargy is a common symptom of hypothyroidism due to decreased metabolic rate and energy levels.
B. Photophobia is not typically associated with hypothyroidism.
C. Weight gain is more common in hypothyroidism due to slowed metabolism, rather than weight loss.
D. Exophthalmos is a characteristic feature of hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism.
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 9.8 mg/dL
Normal calcium levels are not indicative of hypoparathyroidism.
B. A client who has a phosphate of 5.7 mg/dL
A manifestation of hypoparathyroidism would be a high phosphate level due to the low production of parathyroid hormone, which is responsible for regulating calcium and phosphate levels. It leads to reduced phosphate excretion.
C. A client who has a magnesium of 1.8 mEq/L
Low magnesium levels are not indicative of hypoparathyroidism.
D. A client who has a vitamin D of 25 ng/ml
Normal vitamin D levels are not indicative of hypoparathyroidism.
Full Explanation
A. Normal calcium levels are not indicative of hypoparathyroidism.
B. A manifestation of hypoparathyroidism would be a high phosphate level due to the low production of parathyroid hormone, which is responsible for regulating calcium and phosphate levels. It leads to reduced phosphate excretion.
C. Low magnesium levels are not indicative of hypoparathyroidism.
D. Normal vitamin D levels are not indicative of hypoparathyroidism.