Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is preparing to administer lithium 300 mg PO every 8 hr. Available is lithium carbonate 150 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer per dose?
(Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Med Surg Proctored Exam 1. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
2 capsules
To calculate the number of capsules, use the formula:
capsules = (desired dose in mg / available dose in mg) x 1 capsule
Plug in the given values:
capsules = (300 mg / 150 mg) x 1 capsule
Simplify and solve:
capsules = 2 x 1 capsule
capsules = 2 capsules
Round to the nearest whole number and add a leading zero if needed:
capsules = 2 capsules
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to promote thinning of respiratory secretions?
A. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
Encourage coughing and deep breathing. This is beneficial for clearing the airways and preventing atelectasis, but it does not directly affect the viscosity of the secretions.
B. Encourage regular use of the incentive spirometer
Encourage regular use of the incentive spirometer. This is helpful for expanding the lungs and preventing complications such as pneumonia or pleural effusion, but it does not influence the consistency of the secretions.
C. Encourage the client to increase fluid intake
Increasing fluid intake helps to hydrate the mucous membranes and thin the respiratory secretions, which facilitates expectoration and improves gas exchange.
D. Encourage the client to ambulate frequently
Encourage the client to ambulate frequently. This is important for promoting circulation and mobility, but it does not have a significant effect on the thinning of the secretions.
Full Explanation
Increasing fluid intake helps to hydrate the mucous membranes and thin the respiratory secretions, which facilitates expectoration and improves gas exchange.
- Encourage coughing and deep breathing. This is beneficial for clearing the airways and preventing atelectasis, but it does not directly affect the viscosity of the secretions.
- Encourage regular use of the incentive spirometer. This is helpful for expanding the lungs and preventing complications such as pneumonia or pleural effusion, but it does not influence the consistency of the secretions.
- Encourage the client to ambulate frequently. This is important for promoting circulation and mobility, but it does not have a significant effect on the thinning of the secretions.
A nurse is preparing to titrate morphine 6 mg via IV bolus to a client. The amount available is morphine 8 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
(Round the answer to the nearest hundredth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
Full Explanation
To calculate the volume of solution, use the formula:
mL = (desired dose in mg / available dose in mg) x 1 mL
Plug in the given values:
mL = (6 mg / 8 mg) x 1 mL
Simplify and solve:
mL = 0.75 x 1 mL
mL = 0.75 mL
Round to the nearest hundredth and add a leading zero if needed:
mL = 0.75 mL
A nurse is caring for a client who is unconscious and has a breathing pattern characterized by alternating periods of hyperventilation and apnea. The nurse should document that the client has which of the following respiratory alterations?
A. Stridor
A) Stridor: Stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound resulting from disrupted airflow in the upper airway. It is not characterized by alternating periods of hyperventilation and apnea, making this choice incorrect.
B. Kussmaul respirations
B) Kussmaul respirations: Kussmaul respirations are deep, labored breaths typically associated with metabolic acidosis, such as diabetic ketoacidosis. These respirations do not exhibit alternating periods of hyperventilation and apnea, so this option is not applicable.
C. Apneustic respirations
C) Apneustic respirations: Apneustic respirations are characterized by prolonged inhalation followed by a prolonged pause before exhalation. This pattern does not align with the alternating hyperventilation and apnea described, making it an incorrect choice.
D. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
D) Cheyne-Stokes respirations: Cheyne-Stokes respirations are characterized by a cyclical pattern of increasing depth and rate of breathing followed by a gradual decrease in depth and a period of apnea. This description matches the client's breathing pattern of alternating hyperventilation and apnea, making this the correct answer.
Full Explanation
Answer: D. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
Rationale:
A) Stridor: Stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound resulting from disrupted airflow in the upper airway. It is not characterized by alternating periods of hyperventilation and apnea, making this choice incorrect.
B) Kussmaul respirations: Kussmaul respirations are deep, labored breaths typically associated with metabolic acidosis, such as diabetic ketoacidosis. These respirations do not exhibit alternating periods of hyperventilation and apnea, so this option is not applicable.
C) Apneustic respirations: Apneustic respirations are characterized by prolonged inhalation followed by a prolonged pause before exhalation. This pattern does not align with the alternating hyperventilation and apnea described, making it an incorrect choice.
D) Cheyne-Stokes respirations: Cheyne-Stokes respirations are characterized by a cyclical pattern of increasing depth and rate of breathing followed by a gradual decrease in depth and a period of apnea. This description matches the client's breathing pattern of alternating hyperventilation and apnea, making this the correct answer.