laboratory findings indicate that a clients serum potassium levels is 25 meql what action should the nurse take
Logo

Nursing Elites

HESI LPN

Medical Surgical HESI

1. Laboratory findings indicate that a client’s serum potassium level is 2.5 mEq/L. What action should the nurse take?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A serum potassium level of 2.5 mEq/L is critically low, indicating severe hypokalemia. In this situation, it is essential for the nurse to inform the healthcare provider promptly about the need for potassium replacement. Administering potassium supplements orally or increasing dietary potassium intake is not appropriate in cases of critically low potassium levels as immediate and precise replacement is necessary. Monitoring the client's ECG continuously is important in severe cases of hypokalemia, but the priority action should be to inform the healthcare provider for further management and treatment.

2. Parents of a school-age child ask the nurse for suggestions in helping the child who is demonstrating school avoidance. What is an appropriate suggestion by the nurse?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a child is demonstrating school avoidance, it is important for parents to be firm and insist that the child go to school. This helps establish a routine and prevents the behavior from becoming a pattern. Taking the child to the healthcare provider for testing (Choice A) may not be necessary at this stage as school avoidance is a behavioral issue. Allowing the child to stay home and rest (Choice C) may reinforce the avoidance behavior. While consulting with the teacher at school (Choice D) is important, the immediate focus should be on addressing the avoidance behavior at home.

3. What is the most common method of attempted suicide?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Drug overdose is the most common method of attempted suicide. While hanging, gunshot, and slashing the wrists are also methods used in suicide attempts, statistics show that drug overdose is the most prevalent method chosen by individuals attempting suicide. Hanging, gunshot, and slashing the wrists are indeed common methods as well, but drug overdose ranks highest in terms of frequency.

4. While changing the dressing of a client with a leg ulcer, the nurse observes a red, tender, and swollen wound at the site of the lesion. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider, the nurse should note which of the client’s laboratory values?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Neutrophil count. Neutrophil count helps assess for infection, which is indicated by the redness, tenderness, and swelling of the wound. Elevated neutrophil count is a common sign of bacterial infection. Hematocrit (choice B) measures the proportion of blood volume that is occupied by red blood cells and is not directly related to wound infection. Blood pH (choice C) and serum potassium and sodium (choice D) are important for assessing acid-base balance and electrolyte levels but are not the primary indicators of wound infection.

5. How often should the casts be changed for a newborn with talipes who is wearing casts?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Weekly. Treatment of talipes involves manipulation and applying short leg casts. The casts need to be changed weekly to allow for further manipulation and to accommodate the rapid growth of the infant. Changing the casts daily (choice A) would be too frequent and may not provide enough time for the correction to take place. Changing the casts biweekly (choice C) or monthly (choice D) would not provide adequate support for the ongoing correction process required for talipes.

Similar Questions

A client is receiving a continuous infusion of normal saline at 125 ml/hour post abdominal surgery. The client is drowsy and complaining of constant abdominal pain and a headache. Urine output is 800 ml over the past 24h with a central venous pressure of 15 mmHg. The nurse notes respiratory crackle and bounding central pulses. Vital signs: temperature 101.2°F, Heart rate 96 beats/min, Respirations 24 breaths/min, and Blood pressure 160/90 mmHg. Which interventions should the nurse implement first?
A male client with heart failure calls the clinic and reports that he cannot put his shoes on because they are too tight. Which additional information should the nurse obtain?
In a disaster area, a nurse assesses an adult male with partial-thickness burns on his lower legs, approximately 10% of his lower body. Which color of triage tag should the nurse place on this client?
A new mother asks the clinic nurse if she must continue giving her baby nystatin for thrush since the white lesions on his tongue have disappeared. What response by the nurse is most appropriate?
The nurse is caring for a client with myasthenia gravis. Which symptom is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?

Access More Features

HESI LPN Basic
$69.99/ 30 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All HESI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

HESI LPN Premium
$149.99/ 90 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All HESI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

Other Courses

ATI TEAS 7
HESI A2
ATI RN
ATI LPN
HESI RN
HESI LPN
NCLEX RN
NCLEX PN