A client reports a 2-day history of fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. The healthcare provider prescribes serum electrolyte levels to be obtained.

Reference Range:

Potassium (K+): 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L)

Sodium (Na+): 136 to 145 mEq/L (136 to 145 mmol/L)

Which laboratory results should the nurse expect?

Serum potassium: 3.5 mEq/L (3.5 mmol/L), serum sodium: 142 mEq/L (142 mmol/L)

Serum potassium: 4.5 mEq/L (4.5 mmol/L), serum sodium: 140 mEq/L (140 mmol/L)

Serum potassium: 5.0 mEq/L (5.0 mmol/L), serum sodium: 138 mEq/L (138 mmol/L)

Serum potassium: 3.0 mEq/L (3.0 mmol/L), serum sodium: 149 mEq/L (149 mmol/L)

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: The results are within the normal reference range for both potassium and sodium, which is expected unless the client's condition has led to significant electrolyte imbalances.

Choice B reason: A serum potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L is at the higher end of the normal range, which might not be expected in a client with vomiting and diarrhea, conditions that often lead to lower potassium levels.

Choice C reason: A serum potassium level of 5.0 mEq/L is at the upper limit of the normal range and could indicate hyperkalemia, especially in the context of severe dehydration.

Choice D reason: A serum sodium level of 149 mEq/L is slightly above the normal range and could indicate hypernatremia, which may occur in dehydration but would require further assessment and intervention.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: While using multiple people can increase safety, it is not the primary purpose of the log rolling technique.

Choice B reason: The log rolling technique is specifically designed to maintain straight spinal alignment, especially in patients with suspected spinal injuries, to prevent further injury.

Choice C reason: Reducing skin damage is a benefit of proper patient handling, but it is not the main reason for using the log rolling technique.

Choice D reason: Decreasing the risk of back injury to nurses is important, but the primary purpose of the log rolling technique is to protect the patient's spinal integrity.

A. Praise the UAP for using standard precautions. B. Instruct the UAP to change gloves immediately. C. Request that an in-service program be scheduled on asepsis. D. Submit an adverse occurrence report to the unit manager.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Praising the UAP for using standard precautions is not appropriate in this situation as using the same gloves for multiple clients breaches infection control protocols.

Choice B reason: The nurse should instruct the UAP to change gloves immediately to prevent cross-contamination between clients.

Choice C reason: While scheduling an in-service program on asepsis is beneficial for long-term education, it does not address the immediate risk of infection.

Choice D reason: Submitting an adverse occurrence report may be necessary if there is a pattern of non-compliance, but the first action should be to correct the behavior and ensure client safety.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which explanation is best for the nurse to provide a client who asks the purpose of using the log rolling technique for turning?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse observes an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) providing care for two clients using the same gloves. Which action should the nurse take first?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client who is 2 days postoperative for thoracic surgery is reporting incisional pain 2 hours after receiving pain medication. The client rates the pain as 5 on a pain scale of 0 to 10. After placing a call to the healthcare provider, which action should the nurse implement?

The nurse is planning assignments for the staff on a medical-surgical unit. Which task should the nurse assign to the practical nurse (PN)?

The nurse is providing postoperative teaching to a client on ways to prevent constipation. Which information should the nurse include?

The nurse receives a report that a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter has an output of 150 mL for the previous 8-hour shift. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) assigned to feed a client with meningococcal infection, for whom droplet precautions have been implemented, requests a change in assignment, reporting they have not yet been fitted for an N95 respirator mask. Which action should the nurse take?

A client with a sprained ankle is seen at the clinic and is given a pair of crutches. When the client stands with the aid of the crutches, the nurse notes a space of three finger widths between the top of the crutch and the client's axilla. Which action should the nurse take?

While suctioning a client's nasopharynx, the nurse observes that the client's oxygen saturation remains at 94%, which is the same reading obtained prior to starting the procedure. Which action should the nurse take in response to this finding?

A client with emphysema tells the nurse that sitting upright in bed makes breathing easier. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to provide the assigned unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?