Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is monitoring an older adult female client who had a myocardial infarction (MI) for the development of an acute kidney injury (AKI). Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as indicating an increased risk of AKI?
A. Magnesium 2.5 mEq/L
Reason: This is incorrect because magnesium 2.5 mEq/L is a normal value and does not indicate an increased risk of AKI. Magnesium is an electrolyte that plays a role in muscle and nerve function, blood pressure regulation, and energy production. The normal range for magnesium is 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L.
B. Serum osmolality 290 mOsm/kg H2O
Reason: This is incorrect because serum osmolality 290 mOsm/kg H2O is a normal value and does not indicate an increased risk of AKI. Serum osmolality is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the blood, such as sodium, glucose, and urea. The normal range for serum osmolality is 275 to 295 mOsm/kg H2O.
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 20 mg/dL
Reason: This is incorrect because blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 20 mg/dL is a normal value and does not indicate an increased risk of AKI. BUN is a measure of the amount of urea, a waste product of protein metabolism, in the blood. The normal range for BUN is 7 to 20 mg/dL.
D. Serum creatinine 1.8 mg/dL
Reason: This is correct because serum creatinine 1.8 mg/dL is an elevated value and indicates an increased risk of AKI. Creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism that is filtered by the kidneys. The normal range for serum creatinine is 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL for women and 0.7 to 1.3 mg/dL for men. An increase in serum creatinine indicates a decrease in kidney function and glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Med Surg Custom N235 Final Summer 2023 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because magnesium 2.5 mEq/L is a normal value and does not indicate an increased risk of AKI. Magnesium is an electrolyte that plays a role in muscle and nerve function, blood pressure regulation, and energy production. The normal range for magnesium is 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L.
Choice B Reason: This is incorrect because serum osmolality 290 mOsm/kg H2O is a normal value and does not indicate an increased risk of AKI. Serum osmolality is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the blood, such as sodium, glucose, and urea. The normal range for serum osmolality is 275 to 295 mOsm/kg H2O.
Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 20 mg/dL is a normal value and does not indicate an increased risk of AKI. BUN is a measure of the amount of urea, a waste product of protein metabolism, in the blood. The normal range for BUN is 7 to 20 mg/dL.
Choice D Reason: This is correct because serum creatinine 1.8 mg/dL is an elevated value and indicates an increased risk of AKI. Creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism that is filtered by the kidneys. The normal range for serum creatinine is 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL for women and 0.7 to 1.3 mg/dL for men. An increase in serum creatinine indicates a decrease in kidney function and glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a female client in the emergency department who reports shortness of breath and pain in the lung area. She states that she started taking birth control pills 3 weeks ago and that she smokes. Her heart rate is 110/min, respiratory rate 40/min, and blood pressure 140/80 mm Hg. Her arterial blood gases are pH 7.50, PaCO2 29 mm Hg, PaO2 60 mm Hg, HCO3 20 mEq/L, and SaO2 86%. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Prepare for mechanical ventilation.
Reason: This is incorrect because preparing for mechanical ventilation is not the priority nursing intervention, as it is an invasive and potentially harmful procedure that should be reserved for clients who have severe respiratory failure and cannot maintain adequate oxygenation with noninvasive methods.
B. Administer oxygen via face mask.
Reason: This is correct because administering oxygen via face mask is the priority nursing intervention, as it is a noninvasive and effective way to improve oxygenation and reduce hypoxemia in a client who has low PaO2 and SaO2. Oxygen therapy can also decrease the workload of the heart and lungs and prevent further complications.
C. Prepare to administer a sedative.
Reason: This is incorrect because preparing to administer a sedative is not the priority nursing intervention, as it may worsen the client's respiratory status and mask the signs and symptoms of hypoxemia. Sedatives should be used with caution and only after oxygenation has been optimized.
D. Assess for indications of pulmonary embolism.
Reason: This is incorrect because assessing for indications of pulmonary embolism is not the priority nursing intervention, as it is a diagnostic rather than a therapeutic action. Pulmonary embolism is a possible cause of the client's condition, but it does not address the immediate problem of hypoxemia.
Full Explanation
Choice A Reason: This is incorrect because preparing for mechanical ventilation is not the priority nursing intervention, as it is an invasive and potentially harmful procedure that should be reserved for clients who have severe respiratory failure and cannot maintain adequate oxygenation with noninvasive methods.
Choice B Reason: This is correct because administering oxygen via face mask is the priority nursing intervention, as it is a noninvasive and effective way to improve oxygenation and reduce hypoxemia in a client who has low PaO2 and SaO2. Oxygen therapy can also decrease the workload of the heart and lungs and prevent further complications.
Choice C Reason: This is incorrect because preparing to administer a sedative is not the priority nursing intervention, as it may worsen the client's respiratory status and mask the signs and symptoms of hypoxemia. Sedatives should be used with caution and only after oxygenation has been optimized.
Choice D Reason: This is incorrect because assessing for indications of pulmonary embolism is not the priority nursing intervention, as it is a diagnostic rather than a therapeutic action. Pulmonary embolism is a possible cause of the client's condition, but it does not address the immediate problem of hypoxemia.
A nurse in an emergency department is caring for an adult client who has burns on the front and back of both his legs and arms. Using the rule of nines, the nurse should document burns to which percentage of the client's total body surface area (TBSA)?
A. 54 percent
Reason: To calculate the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns using the Rule of Nines, the body is divided into sections, each representing a percentage of TBSA: Front of one leg = 9% Back of one leg = 9% Front of one arm = 4.5% Back of one arm = 4.5% Now for the calculation: Both legs (front and back): Front of both legs = 9% × 2 = 18% Back of both legs = 9% × 2 = 18% Total for both legs = 18% + 18% = 36% Both arms (front and back): Front of both arms = 4.5% × 2 = 9% Back of both arms = 4.5% × 2 = 9% Total for both arms = 9% + 9% = 18% Total TBSA: Legs (36%) + Arms (18%) = 54% The nurse should document burns to 54% of the client's total body surface area (TBSA).
B. 36 percent
Reason: This choice is incorrect because it uses the original rule of nines for adults, not children. It also does not account for the depth and degree of the burns.
C. 18 percent
Reason: This choice is incorrect because it uses the original rule of nines for adults, not children. It also does not account for the depth and degree of the burns.
D. 9 percent
Reason: This choice is incorrect because it uses a random percentage that does not correspond to any rule or calculation.
Full Explanation
Choice A Reason: To calculate the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns using the Rule of Nines, the body is divided into sections, each representing a percentage of TBSA:
- Front of one leg = 9%
- Back of one leg = 9%
- Front of one arm = 4.5%
- Back of one arm = 4.5%
Now for the calculation:
-
Both legs (front and back):
- Front of both legs = 9% × 2 = 18%
- Back of both legs = 9% × 2 = 18%
- Total for both legs = 18% + 18% = 36%
-
Both arms (front and back):
- Front of both arms = 4.5% × 2 = 9%
- Back of both arms = 4.5% × 2 = 9%
- Total for both arms = 9% + 9% = 18%
-
Total TBSA:
- Legs (36%) + Arms (18%) = 54%
The nurse should document burns to 54% of the client's total body surface area (TBSA).
Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect because it uses the original rule of nines for adults, not children. It also does not account for the depth and degree of the burns.
Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect because it uses the original rule of nines for adults, not children. It also does not account for the depth and degree of the burns.
Choice D Reason: This choice is incorrect because it uses a random percentage that does not correspond to any rule or calculation.
A nurse in the ICU is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving a dobutamine drip. The nurse should identify that which of the following findings indicates that the medication is effective?
A. Increased urine output
Reason: Dobutamine is a positive inotropic agent that increases the contractility of the heart and improves cardiac output. This leads to increased renal perfusion and urine output, which reduces the fluid overload and edema associated with heart failure. Therefore, this choice is correct.
B. Decreased blood glucose level
Reason: Dobutamine does not have a direct effect on blood glucose level. It may cause hyperglycemia as a side effect, but this is not an indication of its effectiveness. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
C. Decreased blood pressure
Reason: Dobutamine may cause a slight decrease in blood pressure due to vasodilation, but this is not its main therapeutic effect. A significant decrease in blood pressure may indicate hypovolemia, hypotension, or shock, which are adverse effects of dobutamine. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
D. Increased heart rate
Reason: Dobutamine also has a positive chronotropic effect, which means it increases the heart rate. However, this is not a desired outcome for a client with heart failure, as it increases the oxygen demand of the heart and may worsen the condition. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Full Explanation
Choice A Reason: Dobutamine is a positive inotropic agent that increases the contractility of the heart and improves cardiac output. This leads to increased renal perfusion and urine output, which reduces the fluid overload and edema associated with heart failure. Therefore, this choice is correct.
Choice B Reason: Dobutamine does not have a direct effect on blood glucose level. It may cause hyperglycemia as a side effect, but this is not an indication of its effectiveness. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice C Reason: Dobutamine may cause a slight decrease in blood pressure due to vasodilation, but this is not its main therapeutic effect. A significant decrease in blood pressure may indicate hypovolemia, hypotension, or shock, which are adverse effects of dobutamine. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice D Reason: Dobutamine also has a positive chronotropic effect, which means it increases the heart rate. However, this is not a desired outcome for a client with heart failure, as it increases the oxygen demand of the heart and may worsen the condition. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.