Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is reviewing the results of an arterial blood gas analysis of a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Which of the following results should the nurse expect?

• A. PaO2 of 95 mm Hg
• B. PaCO2 of 55 mm Hg
• C. HCO3 of 24 mEq/L
• D. pH level of 7.35

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, there is impaired gas exchange, leading to retention of carbon dioxide (CO2) and subsequent respiratory acidosis. A PaCO2 of 55 mm Hg is higher than the normal range (35-45 mm Hg) and is indicative of respiratory acidosis in COPD. Choices A, C, and D are not typically associated with COPD. PaO2 may be decreased, HCO3 may be elevated to compensate for acidosis, and pH may be lower than 7.35 due to respiratory acidosis in COPD.

2. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of hypertension. Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?

• A. Canned soup.
• B. Lean cuts of beef.
• C. Bananas.
• D. Baked chicken.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Canned soup. Canned soups are usually high in sodium, which can increase blood pressure and should be avoided by clients with hypertension. Lean cuts of beef, bananas, and baked chicken are healthier options for individuals with hypertension as they are lower in sodium and can be included in a balanced diet to manage blood pressure levels.

3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has hypertension about monitoring blood pressure at home. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Use a cuff that is too loose for the arm.
• B. Place the cuff over clothing.
• C. Sit quietly for 5 minutes before measuring your blood pressure.
• D. Use the same arm for each reading.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the client to sit quietly for 5 minutes before measuring their blood pressure. This allows the body to relax and stabilize, leading to a more accurate reading. Choice A is incorrect because using a cuff that is too loose can result in inaccurate readings. Choice B is incorrect as the cuff should be placed directly on the bare skin. Choice D is incorrect as using the same arm for each reading is important for consistency in monitoring, but sitting quietly before measuring is crucial for accuracy.

4. A client with a new diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is being cared for by a nurse. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

• A. Joint pain.
• B. Weight gain.
• C. Butterfly-shaped rash on the face.
• D. Increased appetite.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Weight gain. Weight gain is a common finding in clients with systemic lupus erythematosus due to fluid retention. Joint pain (choice A) is also common in SLE but is not specific to fluid retention. A butterfly-shaped rash on the face (choice C) is a classic symptom of SLE but is not related to fluid retention. Increased appetite (choice D) is less likely in SLE compared to weight gain.

5. What is the best initial action when a patient presents with confusion?

• A. Administer IV fluids
• B. Perform a neurological assessment
• C. Administer electrolytes
• D. Prepare for a CT scan

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a patient presents with confusion, the best initial action is to perform a neurological assessment. This assessment helps in identifying potential causes of confusion such as neurological issues, infections, metabolic abnormalities, or medication side effects. Administering IV fluids (Choice A) may be necessary based on assessment findings, but it is not the first step. Administering electrolytes (Choice C) would also depend on the assessment results. Preparing for a CT scan (Choice D) may be indicated later in the diagnostic process but is not the initial action when a patient presents with confusion.

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