Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare professional is collecting a urine specimen for a client to test via urine dipstick to determine the urine's specific gravity. The healthcare professional knows the result will indicate the amount of:

• A. Solutes in the urine
• B. Bacteria in the urine
• C. pH level of the urine
• D. Glucose in the urine

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Specific gravity measures the concentration of solutes in the urine, reflecting the kidney's ability to concentrate or dilute urine. Choice B, bacteria in the urine, is incorrect because specific gravity does not measure bacterial presence. Choice C, pH level of the urine, is incorrect as it refers to the acidity or alkalinity of the urine, not its specific gravity. Choice D, glucose in the urine, is incorrect as specific gravity does not directly measure glucose levels in urine.

2. In an emergency department, a nurse is assessing a client who reports right lower quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting for the past 48 hours. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Auscultate bowel sounds.
• B. Administer an antiemetic.
• C. Offer pain medication.
• D. Palpate the abdomen.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action the nurse should take first is to auscultate bowel sounds. This step is crucial to assess bowel activity before proceeding with palpation or administering medications. Assessing bowel sounds can provide valuable information about bowel motility and potential obstructions. Administering an antiemetic or offering pain medication may be necessary but should come after assessing bowel sounds to ensure appropriate treatment. Palpating the abdomen should be avoided initially to prevent potential discomfort or complications, especially if there is suspected abdominal pathology.

3. A client who is malnourished expresses concern about losing their loose wedding ring. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?

• A. I can pin it to your hospital gown to prevent it from falling off.
• B. I will place it in your drawer to keep it safe.
• C. I will hold onto it until a family member can retrieve it.
• D. I can put it in a locked storage unit for you.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most appropriate action for the nurse to take is to put the client's wedding ring in a locked storage unit for safekeeping. This ensures that the ring is secure and minimizes the risk of loss or damage. Choices A, B, and C do not provide the same level of security and protection as placing the ring in a locked storage unit. Pinning it to the hospital gown (Choice A) may not be secure and could still lead to loss. Placing it in the client's drawer (Choice B) may not guarantee its safety. Holding onto it until a family member retrieves it (Choice C) leaves the ring vulnerable to misplacement or theft.

4. A client with a terminal illness is expected to pass away within 24 hours. The family asks the nurse about what to expect at this time. Which of the following findings should the nurse include?

• A. Regular breathing pattern
• B. Warm extremities
• C. Increased urine output
• D. Decreased muscle tone

Correct answer: D

Rationale: As death approaches, decreased muscle tone and other signs like decreased blood pressure, irregular breathing patterns, cold extremities, and decreased urine output are common. Warm extremities (choice B) would not be expected as circulation may be compromised. Increased urine output (choice C) is unlikely as organ function declines. A regular breathing pattern (choice A) is also unlikely as irregular breathing patterns are common near death.

5. A client with chronic kidney disease is receiving epoetin alfa (Epogen). Which laboratory value should the LPN/LVN monitor to determine the effectiveness of this medication?

• A. Serum potassium
• B. Hemoglobin
• C. Serum creatinine
• D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hemoglobin. Monitoring hemoglobin levels is essential to assess the effectiveness of epoetin alfa in clients with chronic kidney disease. Epoetin alfa is a medication that stimulates red blood cell production, aiming to increase hemoglobin levels and improve symptoms of anemia in these patients. Monitoring serum potassium (Choice A) is important in clients with kidney disease, but it is more related to assessing electrolyte balance rather than the direct effectiveness of epoetin alfa. Serum creatinine (Choice C) and blood urea nitrogen (Choice D) are kidney function tests that help evaluate kidney health but do not specifically reflect the effectiveness of epoetin alfa therapy.

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