Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has hyponatremia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Muscle cramps
Hyponatremia is a condition where sodium levels in the blood are lower than normal, which can cause water to move into body cells and make them swell. This can affect muscle cells and cause cramps, spasms or weakness. The other options are not typical signs of hyponatremia.
B. Constipation
C. Blurred vision
D. Hypertension
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
The correct answer is A. Muscle cramps. Hyponatremia is a condition where sodium levels in the blood are lower than normal, which can cause water to move into body cells and make them swell. This can affect muscle cells and cause cramps, spasms or weakness. The other options are not typical signs of hyponatremia.
Similar Questions
A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client who has angina and a prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin tablets. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. “I will wait 15 minutes before taking a second tablet."
B. "I will swallow the tablet for faster absorption."
C. "I should stop taking the medication if I get a headache."
D. "I should expect pain relief in 1 to 3 minutes."
I should expect pain relief in 1 to 3 minutes. Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets are placed under the tongue and dissolve quickly to relieve chest pain caused by angina. The medication works by dilating blood vessels and improving blood flow to the heart. The onset of action is usually within 1 to 3 minutes.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is D. I should expect pain relief in 1 to 3 minutes. Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets are placed under the tongue and dissolve quickly to relieve chest pain caused by angina. The medication works by dilating blood vessels and improving blood flow to the heart. The onset of action is usually within 1 to 3 minutes.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is about to start using an albuterol metered- dose inhaler. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. "Exhale immediately after inhaling."
B. "Take three quick breaths while depressing the canister."
C. "Close your mouth around the mouthpiece."
The rationale for this instruction is that it ensures that the medication reaches the lungs and does not escape through the mouth or nose. Albuterol is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. It is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm, or narrowing of the airways, in people with asthma or certain types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. Albuterol is delivered through a metered dose inhaler (MDI), which is a device that releases a measured amount of medication with each puff. To use an albuterol MDI correctly, the client should follow these steps : Shake the inhaler well before each spray. Remove the cap and look at the mouthpiece to make sure it is clean. Breathe out fully. Put the mouthpiece between your lips and close your mouth around it. Press down on the inhaler to release the medication as you start to breathe in slowly. Breathe in slowly and deeply over 3 to 5 seconds. Hold your breath for 10 seconds to allow the medication to reach your airways. Breathe out slowly. If you need another puff, wait 1 minute and repeat steps 4 to 8.
D. Tilt your head forward while inhaling.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is C. "Close your mouth around the mouthpiece." The rationale for this instruction is that it ensures that the medication reaches the lungs and does not escape through the mouth or nose. Albuterol is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. It is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm, or narrowing of the airways, in people with asthma or certain types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. Albuterol is delivered through a metered dose inhaler (MDI), which is a device that releases a measured amount of medication with each puff. To use an albuterol MDI correctly, the client should follow these steps :
- Shake the inhaler well before each spray.
- Remove the cap and look at the mouthpiece to make sure it is clean.
- Breathe out fully.
- Put the mouthpiece between your lips and close your mouth around it.
- Press down on the inhaler to release the medication as you start to breathe in slowly.
- Breathe in slowly and deeply over 3 to 5 seconds.
- Hold your breath for 10 seconds to allow the medication to reach your airways.
- Breathe out slowly.
- If you need another puff, wait 1 minute and repeat steps 4 to 8.
A nurse is reviewing information about ethical client care with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of fidelity?
A. "Fidelity involves ensuring that we do no harm to the client."
B. "Fidelity involves making sure clients are able to make their own health care decisions."
C. "Fidelity involves keeping promises made to clients."
The rationale for this statement is that fidelity is a principle of ethics that requires nurses to be faithful, loyal, and trustworthy to their clients. Fidelity means that nurses should honor their commitments and obligations to their clients, such as following through with care plans, respecting confidentiality, and being honest. Fidelity also implies that nurses should advocate for their client's best interests and protect them from harm.
D. "Fidelity involves treating every client with the same level of respect."
Full Explanation
The correct answer is C. "Fidelity involves keeping promises made to clients." The rationale for this statement is that fidelity is a principle of ethics that requires nurses to be faithful, loyal, and trustworthy to their clients. Fidelity means that nurses should honor their commitments and obligations to their clients, such as following through with care plans, respecting confidentiality, and being honest. Fidelity also implies that nurses should advocate for their client's best interests and protect them from harm.