Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is preparing a teaching session about reducing the risk of complications of diabetes mellitus. Which of the following information should the nurse plan to include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
A. Sustain hyperglycemia to reduce deterioration of nerve.
Incorrect. Sustaining hyperglycemia is not a recommended approach. In fact, it is crucial to maintain blood glucose levels within a target range to prevent complications associated with diabetes.
B. Maintain optimal blood pressure to prevent kidney damage.
Correct. Maintaining optimal blood pressure is important for preventing kidney damage, which is a common complication of diabetes. High blood pressure can exacerbate kidney problems in individuals with diabetes.
C. Reduce cholesterol and saturated fat intake.
Correct. Reducing cholesterol and saturated fat intake is important for managing cardiovascular risk factors associated with diabetes. Elevated cholesterol levels are a risk factor for heart disease, which is more prevalent in individuals with diabetes.
D. Enroll in a smoking cessation program.
Correct. Enrolling in a smoking cessation program is essential. Smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is already elevated in individuals with diabetes. Quitting smoking is a crucial step in reducing this risk.
E. Increase physical activity.
Correct. Increasing physical activity is an important component of diabetes management. Regular exercise helps improve insulin sensitivity, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications.
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Full Explanation
A. Incorrect. Sustaining hyperglycemia is not a recommended approach. In fact, it is crucial to maintain blood glucose levels within a target range to prevent complications associated with diabetes.
B. Correct. Maintaining optimal blood pressure is important for preventing kidney damage, which is a common complication of diabetes. High blood pressure can exacerbate kidney problems in individuals with diabetes.
C. Correct. Reducing cholesterol and saturated fat intake is important for managing cardiovascular risk factors associated with diabetes. Elevated cholesterol levels are a risk factor for heart disease, which is more prevalent in individuals with diabetes.
D. Correct. Enrolling in a smoking cessation program is essential. Smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is already elevated in individuals with diabetes. Quitting smoking is a crucial step in reducing this risk.
E. Correct. Increasing physical activity is an important component of diabetes management. Regular exercise helps improve insulin sensitivity, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Similar Questions
The primary healthcare provider prescribes a cough syrup of 0.4 g every 4 hours. The dosage strength of the syrup is 100 mg/5 mL. The medication bottle contains a measuring spoon that measures in teaspoons and tablespoons. How many teaspoons will the nurse instruct the client to take?
Full Explanation
One gram is equal to 1000 milligrams, one milliliter is equal to 0.2 teaspoons, and one teaspoon is equal to 5 milliliters. Using these conversion factors, the nurse can perform the following steps:
- Multiply the prescribed amount of cough syrup by 1000 to get the equivalent in milligrams: 0.4 g x 1000 = 400 mg
- Divide the equivalent in milligrams by the dosage strength of the syrup to get the equivalent in milliliters: 400 mg / 100 mg/5 mL = 20 mL
- Multiply the equivalent in milliliters by 0.2 to get the equivalent in teaspoons: 20 mL x 0.2 = 4 teaspoons
Therefore, the nurse will instruct the client to take 4 teaspoons of cough syrup every 4 hours.
A nurse is planning care for a client who is postoperative following a thyroidectomy. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
A. Place the head of the client's bed in the flat position.
Placing the head of the client's bed in the flat position is contraindicated after a thyroidectomy due to the risk of compromising the airway and causing respiratory distress. The head of the bed should be elevated to semi-Fowler's position to promote comfort and reduce swelling.
B. Instruct the client to deep breathe every 4 hr.
Correct. Instructing the client to deep breathe every 4 hours is important for preventing respiratory complications and maintaining lung function after surgery. This helps prevent atelectasis and pneumonia.
C. Hyperextend the client's neck.
Hyperextending the client's neck is contraindicated after a thyroidectomy, as it can put tension on the suture line and potentially cause bleeding or damage to the surgical site. The neck should be maintained in a neutral or slightly flexed position.
D. Check the client's voice every 2 hr.
Checking the client's voice every 2 hours is not a necessary intervention. While assessing vocal cord function is important, checking it this frequently may cause unnecessary disruption to the client's rest and recovery. It is generally assessed less frequently unless there are specific concerns about vocal cord function.
Full Explanation
- Choice A Rationale: Placing the head of the bed in the flat position is not recommended as it can increase the risk of airway obstruction and reduce venous drainage from the head, which is especially critical after thyroid surgery.
- Choice B Rationale: While deep breathing is important postoperatively, it is not specific to thyroidectomy care and should be done more frequently than every 4 hours to ensure adequate ventilation and prevent atelectasis.
- Choice C Rationale: Hyperextending the client's neck can be harmful post-thyroidectomy as it may put stress on the surgical site, potentially leading to dehiscence or damage to the area.
- Choice D Rationale: Checking the client's voice every 2 hours is essential after a thyroidectomy because vocal cord paralysis can be an indicator of recurrent laryngeal nerve damage, which is a potential complication of the surgery. Monitoring the voice allows for early detection and intervention.
Propylthiouracil (PTU) is prescribed for a client with Graves' disease. The nurse should teach the client to immediately report which of the following?
A. Sore throat
Correct. Propylthiouracil (PTU) is an antithyroid medication used to treat hyperthyroidism, including Graves' disease. It can sometimes cause agranulocytosis, a condition characterized by a severe reduction in white blood cells, which can lead to symptoms like a sore throat and fever. These symptoms should be reported immediately.
B. Constipation
Constipation is not a common side effect of propylthiouracil. If it occurs, it is usually not an urgent concern, and can often be managed with dietary and lifestyle changes.
C. Increased urine output
Increased urine output is not typically associated with propylthiouracil. It is more likely to be seen with diuretic medications or conditions like diabetes.
D. Painful, excessive menstruation
Painful, excessive menstruation is not a direct side effect of propylthiouracil. However, hormonal changes related to hyperthyroidism can affect menstrual patterns. If the client is experiencing significant changes in menstrual bleeding, it should be reported to the healthcare provider, but it may not be considered an immediate emergency.
Full Explanation
A. Correct. Propylthiouracil (PTU) is an antithyroid medication used to treat hyperthyroidism, including Graves' disease. It can sometimes cause agranulocytosis, a condition characterized by a severe reduction in white blood cells, which can lead to symptoms like a sore throat and fever. These symptoms should be reported immediately.
B. Constipation is not a common side effect of propylthiouracil. If it occurs, it is usually not an urgent concern, and can often be managed with dietary and lifestyle changes.
C. Increased urine output is not typically associated with propylthiouracil. It is more likely to be seen with diuretic medications or conditions like diabetes.
D. Painful, excessive menstruation is not a direct side effect of propylthiouracil. However, hormonal changes related to hyperthyroidism can affect menstrual patterns. If the client is experiencing significant changes in menstrual bleeding, it should be reported to the healthcare provider, but it may not be considered an immediate emergency.