Nursing Elites

1. A nurse preparing to start an IV on a newly admitted patient teaches the patient about the procedure and begins to prepare the site. The nurse should always start by:

• A. Leaving one hand ungloved to assess the site
• B. Preparing the skin with an iodine solution
• C. Asking the patient if they are allergic to latex or iodine
• D. Removing excessive hair at the selected site

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Before preparing the skin, the nurse should ask the patient if they are allergic to latex or iodine, which are commonly used in IV therapy setup. This is crucial to prevent potential allergic reactions at the IV site or even life-threatening anaphylaxis. Leaving one hand ungloved (choice A) is not a recommended practice as both hands should be gloved for infection control. While preparing the skin with an iodine solution (choice B) is a step in the process, ensuring the patient's safety by checking for allergies comes first. Removing excessive hair at the selected site (choice D) is not necessary and can lead to skin irritation.

2. The nurse is caring for a postthyroidectomy patient at risk for hypocalcemia. What action should the nurse take when assessing for hypocalcemia?

• A. Monitor laboratory values daily for an elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone.
• B. Observe for swelling of the neck, tracheal deviation, and severe pain.
• C. Evaluate the quality of the patient's voice postoperatively, noting any drastic changes.
• D. Observe for muscle twitching and numbness or tingling of the lips, fingers, and toes.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Muscle twitching and numbness or tingling of the lips, fingers, and toes are signs of hyperirritability of the nervous system due to hypocalcemia. The other options describe complications the nurse should also be observing for; however, tetany and neurologic alterations are primary indications of hypocalcemia. Monitoring for an elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (choice A) is not relevant in assessing for hypocalcemia. Observing for swelling of the neck, tracheal deviation, and severe pain (choice B) are more related to airway compromise. Evaluating the quality of the patient's voice postoperatively (choice C) is important but not a primary sign of hypocalcemia.

3. After administering 40 mEq of potassium chloride, a nurse evaluates the clients response. Which manifestations indicate that treatment is improving the clients hypokalemia? (Select all tha do not t apply.)

• A. Strong productive cough
• B. Active bowel sounds
• C. U waves present on the electrocardiogram (ECG)
• D.

Correct answer: C

Rationale:

4. A nurse assesses a client who has a radial artery catheter. Which assessment should the nurse complete first?

• A. . Amount of pressure in fluid container
• B. Date of catheter tubing change
• C. Percent of heparin in infusion container
• D. . Presence of an ulnar pulse

Correct answer: D

Rationale:

5. The term used to describe a blood sodium level of more than 145 mEq/L is:

• A. hyponatremia.
• B. hyperkalemia.
• C. hypernatremia.
• D. hypercalcemia.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: hypernatremia. Hypernatremia refers to an elevated level of sodium in the blood, specifically when it is more than 145 mEq/L. Choice A, hyponatremia, is incorrect as it refers to low sodium levels. Choice B, hyperkalemia, is incorrect as it refers to high potassium levels, not sodium. Choice D, hypercalcemia, is also incorrect as it relates to elevated calcium levels, not sodium.

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