Nursing Elites

1. A client with a history of chronic heart failure is admitted with shortness of breath. Which laboratory value should be closely monitored?

• A. Serum sodium level
• B. Serum potassium level
• C. Serum creatinine level
• D. Hemoglobin level

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: In a client with chronic heart failure, serum potassium levels should be closely monitored to assess for hyperkalemia, which can worsen heart failure. Monitoring serum sodium levels is not the priority in this case. Serum creatinine level monitoring is more related to kidney function than heart failure. Hemoglobin levels are important but not the primary concern when assessing heart failure exacerbation.

2. An adult male who fell from a roof and fractured his left femur is admitted for surgical stabilization after having a soft cast applied in the emergency department. Which assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?

• A. Weak palpable distal pulses
• B. Pain at the fracture site
• C. Mild swelling of the leg
• D. Bruising around the fracture site

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a patient with a fractured femur, weak palpable distal pulses can indicate compromised circulation to the lower extremity. This finding suggests a potential vascular compromise that requires immediate intervention to prevent further complications like compartment syndrome or ischemia. Pain at the fracture site, mild swelling of the leg, and bruising around the fracture site are expected following such an injury and surgical stabilization, and while they should be monitored, they do not require immediate intervention like addressing compromised circulation.

3. A client with diabetes mellitus is admitted with a blood glucose level of 600 mg/dl and is unresponsive. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

• A. Administer 50% dextrose IV push
• B. Administer IV fluids as prescribed
• C. Check the client's blood glucose level
• D. Prepare the client for immediate dialysis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Administering IV fluids as prescribed should be the first intervention for a client with diabetes mellitus admitted with a blood glucose level of 600 mg/dl and unresponsive. This intervention is crucial in managing hyperglycemia by helping to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Administering 50% dextrose IV push (Choice A) would worsen hyperglycemia in this scenario. Checking the client's blood glucose level (Choice C) is important but not the priority when dealing with an unresponsive client with severe hyperglycemia. Immediate dialysis preparation (Choice D) is not indicated as the first intervention for hyperglycemia.

4. A client who is at 10-weeks gestation calls the clinic because she has been vomiting for the past 24 hours. The nurse determines that the client has no fever. Which instructions should the nurse give to this client?

• A. Come to the clinic to be seen by a healthcare provider
• B. Increase your fluid intake and rest at home
• C. Take over-the-counter antiemetics as needed
• D. Monitor your symptoms and call if they worsen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to advise the client to come to the clinic to be seen by a healthcare provider. Persistent vomiting during pregnancy can lead to dehydration, which requires medical evaluation. Choice B is incorrect because solely increasing fluid intake and resting at home may not be sufficient to address the potential dehydration and underlying causes of vomiting. Choice C is not recommended without medical evaluation, as over-the-counter antiemetics should be used under healthcare provider guidance during pregnancy. Choice D is not the best option here because with persistent vomiting and risk of dehydration, immediate medical assessment is crucial to ensure the well-being of both the client and the fetus.

5. The nurse is caring for a client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who is receiving erythropoietin therapy. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely?

• A. Serum potassium level
• B. Hemoglobin level
• C. White blood cell count
• D. Serum calcium level

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Serum potassium level. When a client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is receiving erythropoietin therapy, the nurse should closely monitor the serum potassium level. Erythropoietin therapy can stimulate red blood cell production, leading to an increased demand for potassium. This increases the risk of hyperkalemia, making it crucial to monitor potassium levels closely. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because erythropoietin therapy primarily affects red blood cell production, not hemoglobin, white blood cell count, or serum calcium levels.

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