A client who received 6 units of packed red blood cells 3 days ago for a lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleed is now displaying signs of shortness of breath with occasional stridor and is reporting muscle cramping.

Reference Range:
Potassium [3.5 to 5 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mmol/L)]
Magnesium [Adult: 1.3 to 2.1 mEq/L (0.65 to 1.05 mmol/L)]
Calcium [9 to 10.5 mg/dL (2.3 to 2.6 mmol/L)]
Sodium (136 to 145 mEq/L (136 to 145 mmol/L)]

Which serum laboratory value should the nurse immediately report to the healthcare provider?

Potassium 4.7 mEq/L (4.70 mmol/L).

Magnesium 2.1 mEq/L (0.86 mmol/L).

Calcium 6.5 mg/dL (1.63 mmol/L).

Sodium 135 mEq/L (135 mmol/L).

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Potassium 4.7 mEq/L (4.70 mmol/L) is within the normal reference range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mmol/L). Potassium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the balance of fluids and acids in the body, as well as the function of nerves and muscles. A high potassium level (hyperkalemia) can cause muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, and cardiac arrest. A low potassium level (hypokalemia) can cause muscle cramps, fatigue, and arrhythmias.

Choice B reason: Magnesium 2.1 mEq/L (0.86 mmol/L) is within the normal reference range of 1.3 to 2.1 mEq/L (0.65 to 1.05 mmol/L). Magnesium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the activity of enzymes, muscles, and nerves, as well as the balance of calcium and potassium in the body. A high magnesium level (hypermagnesemia) can cause nausea, vomiting, flushing, muscle weakness, and respiratory depression. A low magnesium level (hypomagnesemia) can cause muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias.

Choice C reason: Calcium 6.5 mg/dL (1.63 mmol/L) is below the normal reference range of 9 to 10.5 mg/dL (2.3 to 2.6 mmol/L). Calcium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the function of muscles, nerves, bones, and blood clotting. A high calcium level (hypercalcemia) can cause nausea, vomiting, constipation, confusion, kidney stones, and bone pain. A low calcium level (hypocalcemia) can cause muscle spasms, cramps, tingling, numbness, and stridor (a high-pitched sound when breathing). **This is a critical value that should be immediately reported to the healthcare provider**, as it can indicate a serious condition such as acute pancreatitis, sepsis, or massive blood transfusion.

Choice D reason: Sodium 135 mEq/L (135 mmol/L) is slightly below the normal reference range of 136 to 145 mEq/L (136 to 145 mmol/L). Sodium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the balance of fluids and acids in the body, as well as the function of nerves and muscles. A high sodium level (hypernatremia) can cause thirst, dry mouth, confusion, seizures, and coma. A low sodium level (hyponatremia) can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, muscle weakness, and confusion.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is incorrect because consuming a high protein diet is not a recommended strategy to reduce risk factors for BPH. In fact, some studies have suggested that a high protein intake may increase the risk of BPH by stimulating the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which may promote prostate growth.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect because obtaining a prostate-specific antigen blood level test is not a preventive measure for BPH, but rather a diagnostic tool to detect prostate cancer or monitor its treatment. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the prostate gland that can be elevated in both BPH and prostate cancer. However, PSA levels alone cannot distinguish between these two conditions and need to be interpreted along with other factors, such as age, race, family history, and digital rectal examination.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because taking vitamin supplements is not a proven method to reduce risk factors for BPH. While some vitamins, such as vitamin D and vitamin E, may have some beneficial effects on prostate health, there is not enough evidence to support their use as preventive agents for BPH. Moreover, some vitamins, such as vitamin A and vitamin B6, may have adverse effects on prostate health and increase the risk of BPH or prostate cancer.

Choice D reason: This is correct because increasing physical activity is a helpful way to reduce risk factors for BPH. Physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight, lower blood pressure, improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and regulate hormone levels. All of these factors can contribute to preventing or delaying the development of BPH.

A. The humoral immune response lacks B cells that form antibodies and opportunistic infections result. B. Inadequate numbers of T lymphocytes are available to initiate cellular immunity and macrophages. C. Bone marrow suppression of white blood cells causes insufficient cells to phagocytize organisms. D. Exposure to multiple environmental infectious agents overburdens the immune system until it fails.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: The humoral immune response is mediated by B cells that produce antibodies against specific antigens. However, this response is not the main problem in AIDS, because B cells are not directly affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice B reason: The cellular immune response is mediated by T lymphocytes that activate other immune cells, such as macrophages, to destroy infected or abnormal cells. This response is the main problem in AIDS, because HIV infects and destroys CD4+ T cells, which are essential for coordinating the cellular immunity. As a result, the client becomes susceptible to opportunistic infections, such as Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. Therefore, this choice is correct.

Choice C reason: Bone marrow suppression of white blood cells can cause immunodeficiency, but it is not the primary cause of AIDS. Bone marrow suppression can occur as a side effect of some drugs or treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, but it is not directly caused by HIV. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice D reason: Exposure to multiple environmental infectious agents can challenge the immune system, but it does not necessarily cause it to fail. The immune system can adapt and respond to different pathogens, unless it is compromised by an underlying condition, such as AIDS. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client asks the nurse for information about how to reduce risk factors for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Which information should the nurse provide?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client who had an appendectomy 4 hours ago. Which finding requires immediate action by the nurse?

A client with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is preparing for discharge following a transurethral needle ablation (TUNA), which information should the nurse include in the discharge instructions?

Patient Data Exhibits Drag from the choices area to specify which condition the client is most likely experiencing, two actions the nurse should take to address that condition, and two parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client’s progress.

The nurse is providing dietary instructions for a client who is being discharged after passing a calcium oxalate renal stone. Which food should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?

A client with diabetes mellitus is admitted with an upper respiratory infection. Which changes in blood glucose management should the client expect?

A client is hospitalized with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exacerbation and is being treated with a corticosteroid. The client develops a rigid abdomen with rebound tenderness. Which action should the nurse take?

Two weeks after returning home from traveling, a client presents to the clinic with conjunctivitis and describes a recent loss in the ability to taste and smell. The nurse obtains a nasal swab to test for COVID-19. Which action is most important for the nurse to take?