Nursing Elites

1. An adult female client is admitted to the psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. After starting medication therapy, the nurse notices the client has more energy, is giving away her belongings, and has an elevated mood. Which intervention is best for the nurse to implement?

• A. Support the client by telling her what wonderful progress she is making.
• B. Ask the client if she has had any recent thoughts of harming herself.
• C. Reassure the client that the antidepressant drugs are apparently effective.
• D. Tell the client to keep her belongings because she will need them at discharge.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a client with major depressive disorder shows signs of increased energy, giving away belongings, and an elevated mood, it could indicate a shift towards suicidal behavior. Therefore, the best intervention for the nurse is to ask the client if she has had any recent thoughts of harming herself. This is crucial to assess the client's risk for suicide and provide necessary interventions. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not address the potential risk of harm to the client and do not prioritize the immediate assessment required in this situation.

2. A client with cirrhosis is admitted with hepatic encephalopathy. Which laboratory value is most concerning?

• A. Serum ammonia level of 100 mcg/dl
• B. Bilirubin level of 3.0 mg/dl
• C. Prothrombin time of 18 seconds
• D. Serum sodium level of 135 mEq/L

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A serum ammonia level of 100 mcg/dl is most concerning in a client with hepatic encephalopathy. Elevated serum ammonia levels indicate significant liver dysfunction and an increased risk of worsening encephalopathy. Bilirubin level and prothrombin time are important in assessing liver function, but in the context of hepatic encephalopathy, elevated ammonia levels take precedence as they directly contribute to neurological symptoms. Serum sodium level, though important, is not the primary concern when managing hepatic encephalopathy.

3. The nurse determines that a client's pupils constrict as they change focus from a far object. What documentation should the nurse enter about this finding?

• A. Pupils reactive to accommodation.
• B. Nystagmus present with pupillary focus.
• C. Peripheral vision intact.
• D. Consensual pupillary constriction present.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Pupils reactive to accommodation.' When pupils constrict as the client changes focus from a far object to a near one, it indicates a normal response known as accommodation. This physiological process allows the eyes to adjust their focus, and it is a healthy finding. Choice B is incorrect because nystagmus is an involuntary eye movement, not related to the change in focus. Choice C is irrelevant to the scenario and does not describe the observed finding. Choice D refers to pupillary constriction in response to light, not accommodation to changes in focus.

4. A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is admitted with hyperkalemia. Which laboratory value is most concerning?

• A. Serum potassium of 6.5 mEq/L
• B. Serum sodium of 135 mEq/L
• C. Serum creatinine of 2.0 mg/dl
• D. Blood glucose of 150 mg/dl

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A serum potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L is concerning in a client with CKD as it indicates hyperkalemia, which requires immediate intervention to prevent cardiac complications. Hyperkalemia can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias, particularly in patients with impaired kidney function. Serum sodium, creatinine, and blood glucose levels, while important, are not as acutely dangerous as severe hyperkalemia in this context.

5. A female client reports that she drank a liter of a solution to cleanse her intestines but vomited immediately after. How many ml of fluid intake should the nurse document?

• A. 1000 ml
• B. 800 ml
• C. 760 ml
• D. 500 ml

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 760 ml. One liter equals 1000 ml. As the client vomited immediately after drinking, she would have expelled approximately 240 ml (1 cup). Subtracting this from the initial intake of 1000 ml gives us 760 ml as the remaining fluid intake that should be documented. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the correct calculation of subtracting the amount vomited from the initial intake.

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