Nursedive logo NurseDive
NurseDive

Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales

Start Free

NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question

Which laboratory results should the nurse closely monitor in a client who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD.?

A. Blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature.

Blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature are vital signs that should be monitored in any client, but they are not laboratory results. ESRD can cause hypertension and cardiovascular complications, so blood pressure and heart rate should be controlled with medications and lifestyle modifications. Temperature should be monitored for signs of infection or inflammation.

B. Leukocytes, neutrophils, and thyroxine.

Leukocytes, neutrophils, and thyroxine are not specific laboratory results for ESRD. Leukocytes and neutrophils are types of white blood cells that indicate immune system activity and infection. Thyroxine is a thyroid hormone that regulates metabolism and growth. ESRD can affect the immune system and the thyroid function, but these are not the primary indicators of renal function.

C. Serum potassium, calcium, and phosphorus.

D. Erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit.

Erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit are laboratory results that measure red blood cell count, oxygen-carrying capacity, and blood volume. ESRD can cause anemia due to reduced production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell formation in the bone marrow. Anemia can cause fatigue, pallor, shortness of breath, and chest pain. However, these are not the most significant laboratory results for ESRD.

This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - HESI Exit II Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now


Full Explanation

Choice A reason: Blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature are vital signs that should be monitored in any client, but they are not laboratory results. ESRD can cause hypertension and cardiovascular complications, so blood pressure and heart rate should be controlled with medications and lifestyle modifications. Temperature should be monitored for signs of infection or inflammation.

Choice B reason: Leukocytes, neutrophils, and thyroxine are not specific laboratory results for ESRD. Leukocytes and neutrophils are types of white blood cells that indicate immune system activity and infection. Thyroxine is a thyroid hormone that regulates metabolism and growth. ESRD can affect the immune system and the thyroid function, but these are not the primary indicators of renal function.

Choice D reason: Erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit are laboratory results that measure red blood cell count, oxygen-carrying capacity, and blood volume. ESRD can cause anemia due to reduced production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell formation in the bone marrow. Anemia can cause fatigue, pallor, shortness of breath, and chest pain. However, these are not the most significant laboratory results for ESRD.


Similar Questions

QUESTION

The charge nurse observes a new nurse during the administration of two different liquid medications at once through a gastrostomy tube used for enteral feeding. The charge nurse observes the new nurse's actions. What action(s) should the charge nurse take? (Select all that apply.)

A. Encourage the novice to flush the tube with more water.

Flushing the gastrostomy tube with water is essential to maintain tube patency and prevent medication interactions. It should be done before and after medication administration. The typical amount of water used for flushing can range from 15 to 30 mL.

B. Instruct the novice to administer each medication separately.

Administering each medication separately is a critical practice to prevent drug interactions and ensure that the full dose of each medication is delivered. It also helps in preventing the clogging of the tube.

C. Add the liquid volumes when documenting fluid intake.

Documenting all liquid volumes, including medications and water used for flushing, is important for accurate fluid intake records. This helps in maintaining fluid balance and monitoring the patient’s hydration status.

D. Confirm that the novice determined the amount of gastric residual.

Checking gastric residual volume is important to assess the patient’s tolerance to enteral feeding and to prevent complications such as aspiration. Normal gastric residual volumes are generally considered to be less than 250 mL.

E. Advise the novice to use the plunger when giving medications.

Using a plunger to administer medications through a gastrostomy tube is not always recommended. Medications should be administered slowly to prevent discomfort or harm, and the use of a plunger is not a standard practice across all healthcare settings.

Full Explanation

The correct answer is A, B, C, and D.

Choice A reason: Flushing the gastrostomy tube with water is essential to maintain tube patency and prevent medication interactions. It should be done before and after medication administration. The typical amount of water used for flushing can range from 15 to 30 mL.

Choice B reason: Administering each medication separately is a critical practice to prevent drug interactions and ensure that the full dose of each medication is delivered. It also helps in preventing the clogging of the tube.

Choice C reason: Documenting all liquid volumes, including medications and water used for flushing, is important for accurate fluid intake records. This helps in maintaining fluid balance and monitoring the patient’s hydration status.

Choice D reason: Checking gastric residual volume is important to assess the patient’s tolerance to enteral feeding and to prevent complications such as aspiration. Normal gastric residual volumes are generally considered to be less than 250 mL.

Choice E reason: Using a plunger to administer medications through a gastrostomy tube is not always recommended. Medications should be administered slowly to prevent discomfort or harm, and the use of a plunger is not a standard practice across all healthcare settings.

 

QUESTION

Which assessment should the home health nurse include during a routine home visit for a client who was discharged home with a suprapubic catheter?

A. Measure abdominal girth

Measuring abdominal girth is not a specific assessment for a client with a suprapubic catheter, which is a tube inserted through the lower abdomen into the bladder to drain urine. However, it may be useful for monitoring fluid status and abdominal distension.

B. Assess perineal area

Assessing perineal area is not a specific assessment for a client with a suprapubic catheter, which is a tube inserted through the lower abdomen into the bladder to drain urine. However, it may be important for maintaining hygiene and preventing infection.

C. Observe insertion site

None

D. Palpate flank area

Palpating flank area is not a specific assessment for a client with a suprapubic catheter, which is a tube inserted through the lower abdomen into the bladder to drain urine. However, it may be helpful for detecting kidney tenderness or enlargement.

Full Explanation

Choice A reason: Measuring abdominal girth is not a specific assessment for a client with a suprapubic catheter, which is a tube inserted through the lower abdomen into the bladder to drain urine. However, it may be useful for monitoring fluid status and abdominal distension.

Choice B reason: Assessing perineal area is not a specific assessment for a client with a suprapubic catheter, which is a tube inserted through the lower abdomen into the bladder to drain urine. However, it may be important for maintaining hygiene and preventing infection.

Choice D reason: Palpating flank area is not a specific assessment for a client with a suprapubic catheter, which is a tube inserted through the lower abdomen into the bladder to drain urine. However, it may be helpful for detecting kidney tenderness or enlargement.

QUESTION

The daughter of an older woman who has Parkinson's disease, calls the clinic and reports that her mother has been confused for the past week. Which action(s) should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)

A. Determine if the mother has recently experienced a fall.

This is a correct answer because determining if the mother has recently experienced a fall is important to rule out any head injury or concussion that could cause confusion. Parkinson's disease can increase the risk of falls due to impaired balance, coordination, and mobility.

B. Review the client's current food and medication allergies.

This is not a correct answer because reviewing the client's current food and medication allergies is not relevant to the mother's confusion. However, it may be important to review the client's current medications and dosages to check for any adverse effects or interactions that could affect cognition.

C. Encourage increased intake of high-protein foods.

This is not a correct answer because encouraging increased intake of high protein foods is not helpful for the mother's confusion. In fact, high protein foods may interfere with the absorption of levodopa, a medication used to treat Parkinson's disease symptoms. The nurse should advise the daughter to consult with a dietitian about the optimal timing and amount of protein intake for her mother.

D. Instruct the daughter to check her mother's temperature.

This is a correct answer because instructing the daughter to check her mother's temperature is important to detect any fever or infection that could cause confusion. Older adults are more susceptible to infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), pneumonia, or sepsis, which can affect mental status.

E. Ask if the mother is experiencing any pain with urination.

Full Explanation

Choice A reason: This is a correct answer because determining if the mother has recently experienced a fall is important to rule out any head injury or concussion that could cause confusion. Parkinson's disease can increase the risk of falls due to impaired balance, coordination, and mobility.

Choice B reason: This is not a correct answer because reviewing the client's current food and medication allergies is not relevant to the mother's confusion. However, it may be important to review the client's current medications and dosages to check for any adverse effects or interactions that could affect cognition.

Choice C reason: This is not a correct answer because encouraging increased intake of high protein foods is not helpful for the mother's confusion. In fact, high protein foods may interfere with the absorption of levodopa, a medication used to treat Parkinson's disease symptoms. The nurse should advise the daughter to consult with a dietitian about the optimal timing and amount of protein intake for her mother.

Choice D reason: This is a correct answer because instructing the daughter to check her mother's temperature is important to detect any fever or infection that could cause confusion. Older adults are more susceptible to infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), pneumonia, or sepsis, whih can affect mental status.

Choice E reason: This is a correct answer because asking if the mother is experiencing any pain with urination is important to screen for any UTI that could cause confusion. UTIs are common in older adults due to reduced bladder function, incomplete emptying, and decreased immunity. UTIs can cause symptoms such as dysuria, frequency, urgency, hematuria, and delirium.