Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a serum calcium level of 14 mg/dL. Which provider order should the nurse implement first?

• A. Encourage oral fluid intake.
• B. Connect the client to a cardiac monitor.
• C. Assess urinary output.
• D. Administer oral calcitonin (Calcimar).

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage oral fluid intake. With a serum calcium level of 14 mg/dL, the client is at risk of hypercalcemia. Encouraging oral fluid intake helps to promote hydration and can help prevent further elevation of calcium levels. Connecting the client to a cardiac monitor (Choice B) is important but not the first priority in this situation. Assessing urinary output (Choice C) is relevant but does not address the immediate concern of high serum calcium levels. Administering oral calcitonin (Calcimar) (Choice D) may be a treatment option later, but the first step should be to address hydration.

2. The nurse is admitting a patient with a suspected fluid imbalance. The most sensitive indicator of body fluid balance is:

• A. Daily weight
• B. Serum sodium levels
• C. Measured intake and output
• D. Blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Daily weight is the most sensitive indicator of body fluid balance because it can show trends over time, helping in assessing the effectiveness of interventions and medications. While serum sodium levels provide objective data on electrolyte balance, they may not accurately reflect fluid balance, especially if a patient is dehydrated. Measured intake and output are crucial for assessing fluid balance, but it can be challenging to match the two due to various ways fluid is lost from the body. Blood pressure and other vital signs may not always be reliable indicators of fluid balance as they can be influenced by other factors beyond fluid status.

3. What is the fluid inside the cell called?

• A. Plasma
• B. Intracellular fluid
• C. Interstitial fluid
• D. Plasma and intracellular fluid

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Intracellular fluid.' Intracellular fluid refers to the fluid contained within the cells, constituting a significant portion of the body's total water content. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Plasma is the liquid component of blood outside the cells, interstitial fluid is the fluid surrounding cells in tissues, and the combination of plasma and intracellular fluid is not the specific term for the fluid inside the cell.

4. Which substance dissociates into ions in a water solution?

• A. Intracellular fluid
• B. Interstitial fluid
• C. Plasma
• D. Electrolyte

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Electrolyte.' Electrolytes are substances that dissociate into ions when dissolved in water. Intracellular fluid, interstitial fluid, and plasma are not substances that dissociate into ions in a water solution. Intracellular fluid is the fluid inside cells, interstitial fluid is the fluid between cells, and plasma is the liquid component of blood. These choices do not dissociate into ions in a water solution, unlike electrolytes.

5. Your patient has alcoholism, and you may suspect during your assessment that his serum magnesium is low. What will the nurse potentially expect to assess related to hypomagnesemia?

• A. Tremor
• B. Pruritus
• C. Edema
• D. Decreased blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Tremor. Signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia primarily affect the neuromuscular system and can include tremors, confusion, tetany, laryngeal stridor, and ataxia. Pruritus (choice B) refers to itching and is not typically associated with hypomagnesemia. Edema (choice C) is swelling caused by fluid retention and is not a common manifestation of hypomagnesemia. Decreased blood pressure (choice D) is not a typical sign of hypomagnesemia; instead, low magnesium levels are more likely to cause hypertension.

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