Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has heart failure. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Potassium 4.0 mEq/L
• B. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
• C. BUN 18 mg/dL
• D. Sodium 137 mEq/L

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hemoglobin 12 g/dL. In a client with heart failure, a decrease in hemoglobin levels can indicate anemia, which can exacerbate heart failure symptoms. Reporting this finding to the provider is crucial for appropriate management. Choice A, Potassium 4.0 mEq/L, is within the normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L) and does not typically require immediate reporting. Choice C, BUN 18 mg/dL, and Choice D, Sodium 137 mEq/L, are also within normal ranges and not directly related to heart failure management. Therefore, the hemoglobin level is the most critical finding to report in this scenario.

2. A nurse is preparing discharge information for a client who has type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following resources should the nurse provide?

• A. Personal blogs about managing diabetes medications
• B. Food exchange lists for meal planning from the American Diabetes Association
• C. Diabetes medication information from the Physicians' Desk Reference
• D. Food label recommendations from the Institute of Medicine

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Food exchange lists from the American Diabetes Association are a reliable resource for meal planning in diabetes. They provide structured guidance on appropriate food choices and portion sizes. Choice A, personal blogs, may not always offer accurate and evidence-based information. Choice C, diabetes medication information from the Physicians' Desk Reference, is not directly related to meal planning. Choice D, food label recommendations from the Institute of Medicine, while important for understanding nutritional content, may not provide the structured meal planning guidance needed for a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

3. When providing teaching for a child prescribed ferrous sulfate, which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Take with meals
• B. Take at bedtime
• C. Take with a glass of milk
• D. Take with a glass of orange juice

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'Take with a glass of orange juice.' Ferrous sulfate is best absorbed with vitamin C, making orange juice the preferred choice. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because taking ferrous sulfate with meals, at bedtime, or with milk can reduce its absorption due to interactions with food components like calcium, inhibiting the iron absorption process.

4. Which electrolyte imbalance is common in patients receiving diuretics?

• A. Hypokalemia
• B. Hypercalcemia
• C. Hyponatremia
• D. Hypermagnesemia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Hypokalemia. Diuretics, such as furosemide, commonly cause potassium loss in patients, leading to hypokalemia. This electrolyte imbalance should be closely monitored to prevent complications like cardiac arrhythmias. Hypercalcemia (Choice B) is not typically associated with diuretic use. Hyponatremia (Choice C) involves low sodium levels and can occur in conditions like syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) but is not directly caused by diuretics. Hypermagnesemia (Choice D) is an excess of magnesium, usually not a common electrolyte imbalance induced by diuretics.

5. What is the best dietary recommendation for a patient with chronic liver disease?

• A. Low protein diet
• B. High protein diet
• C. Low sodium diet
• D. High sodium diet

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The best dietary recommendation for a patient with chronic liver disease is a low protein diet. In liver disease, the liver may have difficulty processing protein, leading to the accumulation of toxins like ammonia in the body. A low protein diet helps reduce the burden on the liver and minimizes the production of these harmful substances. High protein diets can exacerbate the condition by increasing the workload on the liver. A low sodium diet (Choice C) is also important for liver disease patients as excess sodium can contribute to fluid retention and swelling, but reducing protein intake is the primary focus in these cases.

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