Nursing Elites

1. The principal cation in plasma and interstitial fluid is:

• A. Sodium
• B. Potassium
• C. Calcium
• D. Magnesium

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The principal cation in plasma and interstitial fluid is sodium. Sodium plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance and is the primary cation in extracellular fluids like plasma and interstitial fluid. Potassium is the primary cation within cells, not in extracellular fluids, making it an incorrect choice. Calcium and magnesium are essential minerals but are not the principal cations in plasma and interstitial fluid, so they are also incorrect choices.

2. In comparison to infants born to women of normal weight, infants born to obese women are _____.

• A. less likely to have heart defects
• B. more likely to be of very low birthweight
• C. less likely to experience a complicated birth
• D. more likely to have neural tube defects

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Infants born to obese women are more likely to have neural tube defects compared to infants born to women of normal weight. This increased risk is attributed to factors such as poor maternal nutrition and increased inflammation during pregnancy. Choice A is incorrect because infants born to obese women have a higher risk of heart defects. Choice B is incorrect as infants born to obese women are more likely to have higher birthweights. Choice C is incorrect as obese women are more likely to experience complications during birth.

3. Muscle weakness due to wasting would most likely be evaluated by which test?

• A. recall of food intake
• B. skinfold thickness
• C. handgrip strength
• D. red blood cell levels

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Handgrip strength is a reliable test to assess muscle function and detect muscle weakness due to wasting. It is often used to identify conditions like sarcopenia in clinical settings. Options A, B, and D are not suitable for evaluating muscle weakness. Food intake recall does not directly measure muscle function, skinfold thickness assesses body fat but not muscle strength, and red blood cell levels are unrelated to muscle wasting.

4. To ensure client safety before starting blood transfusions, the following are needed before the procedure can be done EXCEPT:

• A. take baseline vital signs
• B. warm the blood to room temperature for 30 minutes before administering the transfusion
• C. have two nurses verify client identification, blood type, unit number, and expiration date of blood
• D. get consent signed for blood transfusion

Correct answer: D

Rationale: To ensure client safety before starting blood transfusions, taking baseline vital signs, warming the blood to room temperature, and having two nurses verify client identification, blood type, unit number, and expiration date of blood are crucial steps. Consent for blood transfusion is required but is typically obtained before the procedure. The focus before the procedure should be on confirming the right client, blood product, and ensuring the blood is prepared correctly to minimize risks of transfusion reactions.

5. Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are most likely associated with disturbed defecation, bloating, and _____.

• A. rectal bleeding
• B. abdominal pain
• C. rectal fissures
• D. esophageal paralysis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Abdominal pain is a common symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), along with bloating and changes in bowel habits. Rectal bleeding (choice A) is more commonly associated with conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer. Rectal fissures (choice C) may cause rectal bleeding but are not typically considered a core symptom of IBS. Esophageal paralysis (choice D) is unrelated to the symptoms of IBS, which primarily affect the lower gastrointestinal tract.

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