Nursing Elites

1. The client with DM who is taking insulin develops a fever and becomes confused. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Check the client's blood glucose level.
• B. Administer a fever-reducing medication.
• C. Give the client fluids to drink.
• D. Notify the health care provider.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a client with diabetes mellitus (DM) taking insulin, the development of fever and confusion may indicate hyperglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis. Checking the blood glucose level is the priority action in this situation. This will help determine if the symptoms are related to high blood sugar levels, guiding further interventions. Administering a fever-reducing medication (choice B) addresses only the symptom of fever and does not address the underlying cause. Providing fluids to drink (choice C) is important but should come after addressing the potential hyperglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis. Notifying the health care provider (choice D) can be important, but immediate action to evaluate and manage the client's condition should precede contacting the provider.

2. A client with Addison's disease is at risk for which of the following complications?

• A. Hypertension
• B. Hypovolemia
• C. Hypernatremia
• D. Hypokalemia

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A client with Addison's disease is at risk for hypovolemia. Addison's disease is characterized by adrenal insufficiency, particularly cortisol and aldosterone deficiency. Aldosterone deficiency leads to impaired sodium and water retention, resulting in decreased blood volume and hypovolemia. This condition can cause hypotension, not hypertension (Choice A), as reduced blood volume leads to decreased pressure. Hypernatremia (Choice C) is unlikely in Addison's disease because of the loss of sodium along with water in hypovolemia. Hypokalemia (Choice D) can occur due to aldosterone deficiency, but it is not the primary complication associated with Addison's disease.

3. The client with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus is receiving education from the nurse on managing blood glucose levels. Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?

• A. I will monitor my blood glucose levels regularly.
• B. I can eat whatever I want as long as I take my medication.
• C. I should exercise regularly to help control my blood sugar.
• D. I will rotate my injection sites to avoid tissue damage.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Choice B indicates a need for further teaching because it suggests that the client can eat whatever they want as long as they take their medication, which is incorrect. Clients with diabetes mellitus need to follow a healthy and balanced diet in addition to taking their medication to effectively manage blood glucose levels. Choices A, C, and D are correct statements for managing diabetes. Monitoring blood glucose levels regularly, engaging in regular exercise to help control blood sugar, and rotating injection sites to avoid tissue damage are all important aspects of diabetes management.

4. When caring for a female client with a history of hypoglycemia, Nurse Ruby should avoid administering a drug that may potentiate hypoglycemia. Which drug fits this description?

• A. Sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin)
• B. Mexiletine (Mexitil)
• C. Prednisone (Orasone)
• D. Lithium carbonate (Lithobid)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin). Sulfisoxazole is known to potentiate hypoglycemia, making it unsafe for clients with a history of hypoglycemia. Choice B, Mexiletine, is a medication used to treat certain heart rhythm problems and is not associated with hypoglycemia. Choice C, Prednisone, is a corticosteroid and does not potentiate hypoglycemia. Choice D, Lithium carbonate, is commonly used to treat bipolar disorder and does not typically potentiate hypoglycemia. Therefore, the drug that Nurse Ruby should avoid in this case is Sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin) to prevent worsening the client's hypoglycemic condition.

5. A nursing student needs to administer potassium chloride intravenously as prescribed to a client with hypokalemia. The nursing instructor determines that the student is unprepared for this procedure if the student states that which of the following is part of the plan for preparation and administration of the potassium?

• A. Obtaining a controlled IV infusion pump
• B. Monitoring urine output during administration
• C. Diluting an appropriate amount of normal saline
• D. Preparing the medication for bolus administration

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is preparing the medication for bolus administration (Choice D). Potassium should never be administered as a bolus because it can cause cardiac arrest. It must always be diluted and given slowly. Obtaining a controlled IV infusion pump (Choice A) is essential for accurate delivery, monitoring urine output during administration (Choice B) helps assess the client's response, and diluting an appropriate amount of normal saline (Choice C) is necessary to prevent irritation and ensure safe administration.

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