Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has a new prescription for lithium.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend?.
A. Administer the medication with meals.
A rationale: Administering lithium with meals can help reduce gastrointestinal upset, a common side effect of the medication.
B. Monitor the client for hypoglycemia.
B rationale: Lithium does not typically cause hypoglycemia. It primarily affects the nervous system and kidneys.
C. Decrease the client's dietary potassium.
C rationale: There’s no need to decrease dietary potassium. Lithium can affect sodium levels, but not potassium.
D. Increase the client's daily caloric intake.
D rationale: Increasing daily caloric intake is not necessary when taking lithium. The medication does not affect metabolism or caloric needs.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI PN Mental health DEC 2023 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Administering lithium with meals can help reduce gastrointestinal upset, a common side effect of the medication.
Choice B rationale:
Lithium does not typically cause hypoglycemia. It primarily affects the nervous system and kidneys.
Choice C rationale:
There’s no need to decrease dietary potassium. Lithium can affect sodium levels, but not potassium.
Choice D rationale:
Increasing daily caloric intake is not necessary when taking lithium. The medication does not affect metabolism or caloric needs.
Similar Questions
A nurse is assisting with teaching a group of older adult clients about behavioral expectations.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to help eliminate barriers to learning?.
A. Ensure the teaching sessions occur right before bedtime
A rationale: Teaching sessions right before bedtime may not be effective as older adults may be tired and less able to concentrate.
B. Assist the clients with establishing long-term goals.
B rationale: Establishing long-term goals can be overwhelming for older adults. Short-term goals are more manageable and achievable.
C. Schedule the teaching sessions for a long time to promote participation.
C rationale: Long teaching sessions may lead to fatigue and decreased concentration. Short, frequent sessions are more effective.
D. Use "I" statements rather than "you" statements.
D rationale: Using “I” statements rather than “you” statements can help create a more positive and collaborative learning environment.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Teaching sessions right before bedtime may not be effective as older adults may be tired and less able to concentrate.
Choice B rationale:
Establishing long-term goals can be overwhelming for older adults. Short-term goals are more manageable and achievable.
Choice C rationale:
Long teaching sessions may lead to fatigue and decreased concentration. Short, frequent sessions are more effective.
Choice D rationale:
Using “I” statements rather than “you” statements can help create a more positive and collaborative learning environment.
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has bulimia nervosa.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?.
A. Hypomagnesemia
A rationale: Hypomagnesemia is not a common finding in clients with bulimia nervosa.
B. Hypokalemia.
B rationale: Hypokalemia is a common finding due to purging behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives, which can lead to loss of potassium.
C. Muscle wasting.
C rationale: Muscle wasting is more commonly associated with anorexia nervosa, not bulimia nervosa.
D. Lanugo.
D rationale: Lanugo, or fine body hair, is also more commonly associated with anorexia nervosa, not bulimia nervosa.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Hypomagnesemia is not a common finding in clients with bulimia nervosa.
Choice B rationale:
Hypokalemia is a common finding due to purging behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives, which can lead to loss of potassium.
Choice C rationale:
Muscle wasting is more commonly associated with anorexia nervosa, not bulimia nervosa.
Choice D rationale:
Lanugo, or fine body hair, is also more commonly associated with anorexia nervosa, not bulimia nervosa.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving acute care for the treatment of a substance use disorder.
With which of the following actions is the nurse demonstrating the ethical principle of veracity?.
A. Encouraging the client to attend a daily exercise program on the unit.
A rationale: Encouraging the client to attend a daily exercise program on the unit is beneficial for the client’s health, but it does not demonstrate the ethical principle of veracity, which involves truthfulness and honesty.
B. Maintaining the client's confidentiality about a substance use disorder.
B rationale: Maintaining the client’s confidentiality about a substance use disorder is an important aspect of nursing care, but it demonstrates the ethical principle of confidentiality, not veracity.
C. Reinforcing information on the potential adverse effects of a medication with the client.
C rationale: Reinforcing information on the potential adverse effects of a medication with the client is an example of veracity. The nurse is being truthful and transparent about the potential risks associated with the medication.
D. Respecting the client's right to refuse to attend a group therapy session.
D rationale: Respecting the client’s right to refuse to attend a group therapy session demonstrates the ethical principle of autonomy, not veracity.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Encouraging the client to attend a daily exercise program on the unit is beneficial for the client’s health, but it does not demonstrate the ethical principle of veracity, which involves truthfulness and honesty.
Choice B rationale:
Maintaining the client’s confidentiality about a substance use disorder is an important aspect of nursing care, but it demonstrates the ethical principle of confidentiality, not veracity.
Choice C rationale:
Reinforcing information on the potential adverse effects of a medication with the client is an example of veracity. The nurse is being truthful and transparent about the potential risks associated with the medication.
Choice D rationale:
Respecting the client’s right to refuse to attend a group therapy session demonstrates the ethical principle of autonomy, not veracity.