Nursing Elites

1. You are the surgical nurse caring for a 65-year-old female patient who is postoperative day 1 following a thyroidectomy. During your shift assessment, the patient complains of tingling in her lips and fingers. She tells you that she has an intermittent spasm in her wrist and hand and she exhibits increased muscle tone. What electrolyte imbalance should you first suspect?

• A. Hypophosphatemia
• B. Hypocalcemia
• C. Hypermagnesemia
• D. Hyperkalemia

Correct answer: B

Rationale:

2. Third spacing occurs when fluid moves out of the intravascular space but not into the intracellular space. Based on this fluid shift, the nurse will expect the patient to demonstrate:

• A. Hypertension
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Hypervolemia
• D. Hypovolemia

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In the scenario of third-spacing fluid shift, where fluid moves out of the intravascular space but not into the intracellular space, the patient is expected to demonstrate hypovolemia. Hypertension (Choice A) is unlikely as hypovolemia typically leads to decreased blood pressure. Bradycardia (Choice B) is not a common manifestation of hypovolemia, as the body often tries to compensate by increasing heart rate. Hypervolemia (Choice C) indicates an excess of fluid, which is the opposite of what occurs in third spacing.

3. You are caring for a patient with a diagnosis of pancreatitis. The patient was admitted from a homeless shelter and is a vague historian. The patient appears malnourished and on day 3 of the patients admission total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has been started. Why would you know to start the infusion of TPN slowly?

• A. Patients receiving TPN are at risk for hypercalcemia if calories are started too rapidly.
• B. Malnourished patients receiving parenteral nutrition are at risk for hypophosphatemia if calories are started too aggressively.
• C. Malnourished patients who receive fluids too rapidly are at risk for hypernatremia.
• D. Patients receiving TPN need a slow initiation of treatment in order to allow digestive enzymes to accumulate

Correct answer: B

Rationale:

4. When considering overhydration:

• A. occurs less often than dehydration.
• B. can strain the kidneys.
• C. can be caused by giving intravenous fluids too rapidly.
• D. less common than dehydration.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Overhydration can occur when intravenous fluids are administered too quickly, overwhelming the body's ability to excrete the excess fluid. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Choice A is incorrect because overhydration is less common than dehydration. Choice B is incorrect because while overhydration can strain the kidneys, it is not due to the burden being too heavy. Choice D is incorrect because dehydration is more common than overhydration.

5. The nurse caring for a patient post colon resection is assessing the patient on the second postoperative day. The nasogastric tube (NG) remains patent and continues at low intermittent wall suction. The IV is patent and infusing at 125 mL/hr. The patient reports pain at the incision site rated at a 3 on a 0-to-10 rating scale. During your initial shift assessment, the patient complains of cramps in her legs and a tingling sensation in her feet. Your assessment indicates decreased deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) and you suspect the patient has hypokalemia. What other sign or symptom would you expect this patient to exhibit

• A. Diarrhea
• B. Dilute urine
• C. Increased muscle tone
• D. Joint pain

Correct answer: B

Rationale:

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