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NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who has hyponatremia and is receiving an infusion of a prescribed hypertonic solution.
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the treatment is effective?
A. Improved cognition.
Hyponatremia is a condition where the sodium level in the blood is too low, which can cause confusion, lethargy, seizures, and coma. A hypertonic solution is a fluid that has a higher concentration of solutes than the blood, which can help raise the sodium level and reduce the brain swelling caused by hyponatremia. Therefore, improved cognition indicates that the treatment is effective.
B. Cardiac arrhythmias absent.
Cardiac arrhythmias are not a common symptom of hyponatremia unless it is severe or rapid in onset. Therefore, their absence does not necessarily indicate that the treatment is effective.
C. Decreased vomiting.
Vomiting can be a cause or a consequence of hyponatremia, depending on the underlying condition. Decreased vomiting may indicate that the patient is less nauseated, but it does not reflect the sodium level or the brain status.
D. Absent Chvostek’s sign.
Chvostek’s sign is a facial twitching that occurs when tapping on the cheek, which indicates hypocalcemia (low calcium level). It is not related to hyponatremia or hypertonic solution. Normal ranges for sodium are 135 to 145 mEq/L and for calcium are 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI RN Pharmacology 2019 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Hyponatremia is a condition where the sodium level in the blood is too low, which can cause confusion, lethargy, seizures, and coma. A hypertonic solution is a fluid that has a higher concentration of solutes than the blood, which can help raise the sodium level and reduce the brain swelling caused by hyponatremia. Therefore, improved cognition indicates that the treatment is effective.
Choice B. Cardiac arrhythmias absent.
Cardiac arrhythmias are not a common symptom of hyponatremia unless it is severe or rapid in onset.
Therefore, their absence does not necessarily indicate that the treatment is effective.
Choice C. Decreased vomiting.
Vomiting can be a cause or a consequence of hyponatremia, depending on the underlying condition.
Decreased vomiting may indicate that the patient is less nauseated, but it does not reflect the sodium level or the brain status.
Choice D. Absent Chvostek’s sign.
Chvostek’s sign is a facial twitching that occurs when tapping on the cheek, which indicates hypocalcemia (low calcium level).
It is not related to hyponatremia or hypertonic solution.
Normal ranges for sodium are 135 to 145 mEq/L and for calcium are 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL.
Similar Questions
A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client and discovers a medication error.
The nurse should recognize that which of the following staff members is responsible for completing an incident report?
A. The quality improvement committee.
The quality improvement committee is not directly involved in the incident and does not complete the report. The committee may review the report later to identify trends and areas for improvement.
B. The charge nurse.
The charge nurse is not responsible for completing the report, although they may assist or supervise the nurse who caused the error. The charge nurse may also notify the provider and other relevant staff members about the incident.
C. The nurse who caused the error.
The nurse who caused the error may be involved in providing details and information about the incident, but the nurse who discovers the error is the one responsible for completing the incident report to ensure that all relevant information is accurately documented.
D. The nurse who identifies the error.
It is crucial for the nurse who discovers the error to complete the incident report to ensure that all relevant details are accurately documented. This allows for a thorough investigation and implementation of corrective actions to prevent future errors.
Full Explanation
The nurse who caused the error is responsible for completing an incident report. An incident report is a tool for documenting any event that deviates from the standard of care or causes harm to a client, staff member, or visitor. The purpose of an incident report is to improve quality and safety, not to assign blame or punish anyone. The nurse who caused the error should fill out the report as soon as possible after the event, providing factual and objective information.
A. The quality improvement committee is not directly involved in the incident and does not complete the report. The committee may review the report later to identify trends and areas for improvement.
B. The charge nurse is not responsible for completing the report, although they may assist or supervise the nurse who caused the error. The charge nurse may also notify the provider and other relevant staff members about the incident.
C. The nurse who caused the error may be involved in providing details and information about the incident, but the nurse who discovers the error is the one responsible for completing the incident report to ensure that all relevant information is accurately documented.
D. It is crucial for the nurse who discovers the error to complete the incident report to ensure that all relevant details are accurately documented. This allows for a thorough investigation and implementation of corrective actions to prevent future errors.
A nurse is teaching a client who has angina about a new prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin tablets.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Take one tablet each morning 30 minutes prior to eating.
Choice A is wrong because nitroglycerin sublingual tablets are not used to prevent angina attacks on a daily basis. They are used as needed, either 5 to 10 minutes before activities that may cause attacks of angina or at the first sign of an attack.
B. Discard any tablets you do not use every 6 months.
Choice B is wrong because nitroglycerin sublingual tablets do not need to be discarded every 6 months. They have a shelf life of up to 3 years if stored properly.
C. Keep the tablets at room temperature in their original glass bottle.
This is because nitroglycerin sublingual tablets are used to treat episodes of angina (chest pain) in people who have coronary artery disease. They work by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not need to work as hard and therefore does not need as much oxygen. Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets should not be chewed, crushed, or swallowed. They work much faster when absorbed through the lining of the mouth. Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets should be stored at room temperature in their original glass bottle to protect them from moisture and light.
D. Place the tablet between your cheek and gum to dissolve.
Choice D is wrong because nitroglycerin sublingual tablets should not be placed between the cheek and gum to dissolve. They should be placed under the tongue or between the cheek and tongue. Placing them between the cheek and gum may reduce their effectiveness.
Full Explanation
A nurse is teaching a client who has a prescription for ferrous gluconate. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. I should stay upright for at least 15 minutes after taking this medication.
The client should stay upright for at least 15 minutes after taking ferrous gluconate to prevent oesophagal irritation.
B. I should take an antacid with this medication to prevent stomach upset.
Choice B is wrong because taking an antacid with ferrous gluconate can decrease its absorption and effectiveness.
C. I should take this medication with 8 ounces of milk.
Choice C is wrong because taking ferrous gluconate with milk can also reduce its absorption and cause gastrointestinal distress.
D. I should notify my provider if my stools turn black.
Choice D is wrong because black stools are a common and harmless side effect of ferrous gluconate and do not indicate a need to notify the provider. Ferrous gluconate is an iron supplement used to treat or prevent iron deficiency anemia, a condition where the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues. Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the blood.
Full Explanation
The client should stay upright for at least 15 minutes after taking ferrous gluconate to prevent oesophagal irritation. Choice B is wrong because taking an antacid with ferrous gluconate can decrease its absorption and effectiveness.
Choice C is wrong because taking ferrous gluconate with milk can also reduce its absorption and cause gastrointestinal distress.
Choice D is wrong because black stools are a common and harmless side effect of ferrous gluconate and do not indicate a need to notify the provider. Ferrous gluconate is an iron supplement used to treat or prevent iron deficiency anaemia, a condition where the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues.
Iron is an essential component of haemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in the blood.