Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for a client admitted to the hospital with a suspected diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Which of the following laboratory results would the nurse expect to note if the client indeed has appendicitis?

• A. Leukopenia with a shift to the right
• B. Leukocytosis with a shift to the right
• C. Leukocytosis with a shift to the left
• D. Leukopenia with a shift to the left

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Laboratory findings do not establish the diagnosis of appendicitis, but often moderate elevation of the white blood cell count (leukocytosis) to 10,000 to 18,000 cells/mm3 occurs with a “shift to the left” (an increased number of immature white blood cells.).

2. A nurse is reviewing the results of serum laboratory studies drawn on a client who is suspected of having hepatitis. The nurse interprets that an elevation in which of the following studies is the most specific indicator of the disease?

• A. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• B. Serum bilirubin
• C. Hemoglobin
• D. Blood urea nitrogen

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Laboratory indicators of hepatitis include elevated liver enzymes, serum bilirubin level, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate is nonspecific test that indicates the presence of inflammation somewhere in the body. Elevated blood urea nitrogen may indicate renal dysfunction. A hemoglobin level is unrelated to this diagnosis.

3. Which of the following diagnostic tests may be performed to determine if a client has gastric cancer?

• A. Barium enema
• B. Colonoscopy
• C. Gastroscopy
• D. Serum chemistry levels

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A gastroscopy is performed to visualize the stomach lining and obtain biopsies to diagnose gastric cancer.

4. The pain of a duodenal ulcer can be distinguished from that of a gastric ulcer by which of the following characteristics?

• A. Early satiety
• B. Pain on eating
• C. Dull upper epigastric pain
• D. Pain on empty stomach

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Pain on an empty stomach is characteristic of a duodenal ulcer, while pain on eating is characteristic of a gastric ulcer.

5. Sharon has cirrhosis of the liver and develops ascites. What intervention is necessary to decrease the excessive accumulation of serous fluid in her peritoneal cavity?

• A. Restrict fluids
• B. Encourage ambulation
• C. Increase sodium in the diet
• D. Give antacids as prescribed

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Restricting fluids is necessary to decrease the excessive accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity for a patient with ascites due to cirrhosis.

Similar Questions