Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous heparin infusion. Which of the following laboratory tests should the nurse review prior to adjusting the client's heparin?
A. aPTT
aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) measures the effectiveness of heparin therapy and guides dosage adjustments.
B. PT
PT (prothrombin time) measures the effectiveness of warfarin therapy, not heparin.
C. INR
INR (international normalized ratio) is a standardized version of PT that also monitors warfarin therapy, not heparin.
D. WBC count
WBC count (white blood cell count) measures the body's immune response and has no relation to heparin therapy.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - RN Comprehensive Online Practice 2019 B with NGN Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
- A is correct because aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) measures the effectiveness of heparin therapy and guides dosage adjustments.
- B is incorrect because PT (prothrombin time) measures the effectiveness of warfarin therapy, not heparin.
- C is incorrect because INR (international normalized ratio) is a standardized version of PT that also monitors warfarin therapy, not heparin.
- D is incorrect because WBC count (white blood cell count) measures the body's immune response and has no relation to heparin therapy.
Similar Questions
A nurse is preparing to teach about dietary management to a client who has Crohn's disease and an enteroenteric fistula. Which of the following nutrients should the nurse instruct the client to decrease in their diet?
A. Calories
Calories is incorrect. Clients with Crohn's disease and enteroenteric fistula need adequate calories to prevent malnutrition and weight loss due to inflammation, malabsorption, and increased metabolic rate.
B. Protein
Protein is incorrect. Clients with Crohn's disease and enteroenteric fistula need adequate protein to promote tissue healing and prevent protein-losing enteropathy.
C. Potassium
Potassium is incorrect. Clients with Crohn's disease and enteroenteric fistula are at risk of hypokalemia due to diarrhea, vomiting, and fistula drainage. They need to increase their potassium intake to prevent electrolyte imbalance and cardiac complications.
D. Fiber
Fiber is correct. Clients with Crohn's disease and enteroenteric fistula should decrease their fiber intake to reduce intestinal motility, bulk, and gas production, which can worsen the inflammation and fistula formation.
Full Explanation
- A. Calories is incorrect. Clients with Crohn's disease and enteroenteric fistula need adequate calories to prevent malnutrition and weight loss due to inflammation, malabsorption, and increased metabolic rate.
- B. Protein is incorrect. Clients with Crohn's disease and enteroenteric fistula need adequate protein to promote tissue healing and prevent protein-losing enteropathy.
- C. Potassium is incorrect. Clients with Crohn's disease and enteroenteric fistula are at risk of hypokalemia due to diarrhea, vomiting, and fistula drainage. They need to increase their potassium intake to prevent electrolyte imbalance and cardiac complications.
- D. Fiber is correct. Clients with Crohn's disease and enteroenteric fistula should decrease their fiber intake to reduce intestinal motility, bulk, and gas production, which can worsen the inflammation and fistula formation.
An RN is observing a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and an assistive personnel (AP) move a client up in bed. For which of the following situations should the nurse intervene?
A. The LPN and AP lower the side rails before lifting the client up in bed.
The LPN and AP lower the side rails before lifting the client up in bed is incorrect. This is a safe practice that prevents injury to the client and staff by providing more space for movement and reducing the risk of falling.
B. Prior to lifting the client, the LPN and AP raise the bed to waist level.
Prior to lifting the client, the LPN and AP raise the bed to waist level is incorrect. This is a safe practice that prevents injury to the client and staff by reducing the need for bending and lifting.
C. The LPN and the AP grasp the client under his arms to lift him up in bed.
The LPN and the AP grasp the client under his arms to lift him up in bed is correct. This is an unsafe practice that can cause injury to the client's shoulders, neck, and axillae by applying excessive pressure and friction. The LPN and AP should use a draw sheet or a mechanical lift device to move the client up in bed.
D. The LPN and the AP ask the client to flex his knees and push his heels into the bed as they lift.
The LPN and the AP ask the client to flex his knees and push his heels into the bed as they lift is incorrect. This is a safe practice that encourages active participation from the client and reduces the workload for the staff by using leverage.
Full Explanation
- A. The LPN and AP lower the side rails before lifting the client up in bed is incorrect. This is a safe practice that prevents injury to the client and staff by providing more space for movement and reducing the risk of falling.
- B. Prior to lifting the client, the LPN and AP raise the bed to waist level is incorrect. This is a safe practice that prevents injury to the client and staff by reducing the need for bending and lifting.
- C. The LPN and the AP grasp the client under his arms to lift him up in bed is correct. This is an unsafe practice that can cause injury to the client's shoulders, neck, and axillae by applying excessive pressure and friction. The LPN and AP should use a draw sheet or a mechanical lift device to move the client up in bed.
- D. The LPN and the AP ask the client to flex his knees and push his heels into the bed as they lift is incorrect. This is a safe practice that encourages active participation from the client and reduces the workload for the staff by using leverage.
A nurse is assessing a client after administering epinephrine for an anaphylactic reaction. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an adverse effect of this medication?
A. Hypotension
Hypotension is not an adverse effect of epinephrine, but rather a sign of anaphylaxis that epinephrine can help to reverse by causing vasoconstriction and increasing blood pressure.
B. Report of tinnitus
Report of tinnitus is not an adverse effect of epinephrine, but rather a symptom of aspirin toxicity, which can occur in some clients who take aspirin for allergic reactions.
C. Report of chest pain
Report of chest pain is an adverse effect of epinephrine, as it can cause cardiac dysrhythmias, angina, and myocardial ischemia by increasing the heart rate and oxygen demand of the myocardium.
D. Ecchymosis
Ecchymosis is not an adverse effect of epinephrine, but rather a sign of bleeding disorders or trauma that can cause bruising under the skin.
Full Explanation
- A. Hypotension is not an adverse effect of epinephrine, but rather a sign of anaphylaxis that epinephrine can help to reverse by causing vasoconstriction and increasing blood pressure.
- B. Report of tinnitus is not an adverse effect of epinephrine, but rather a symptom of aspirin toxicity, which can occur in some clients who take aspirin for allergic reactions.
- C. Report of chest pain is an adverse effect of epinephrine, as it can cause cardiac dysrhythmias, angina, and myocardial ischemia by increasing the heart rate and oxygen demand of the myocardium.
-D. Ecchymosis is not an adverse effect of epinephrine, but rather a sign of bleeding disorders or trauma that can cause bruising under the skin.