A client with a history of heart failure arrives at the emergency department describing an onset of fatigue and weakness.
The client has been taking spironolactone 50 mg tablets PO every day.
The nurse receives a report from the lab that the client has a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L (6.2 mmol/L). Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
Compare muscle strength bilaterally.
Observe color and amount of urine.
Determine apical pulse rate and rhythm.
Assess strength of deep tendon reflexes.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Comparing muscle strength bilaterally is important in assessing overall physical health and detecting any potential neuromuscular disorders. However, in the context of a client with a history of heart failure and elevated potassium levels, this would not be the most critical intervention. High potassium levels can lead to hyperkalemia, which can cause serious heart rhythm disturbances.
Choice B rationale
Observing the color and amount of urine can provide valuable information about the client’s hydration status and kidney function. In the case of heart failure, monitoring urine output can help assess the effectiveness of diuretic therapy and the progression of the disease. However, it is not the most immediate concern given the client’s high potassium levels.
Choice C rationale
Determining the apical pulse rate and rhythm is the most important intervention in this scenario. A serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L is higher than the normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L) and can cause life-threatening heart rhythm abnormalities. Therefore, the nurse should prioritize assessing the client’s heart rhythm to detect any abnormalities caused by this electrolyte imbalance.
Choice D rationale
Assessing the strength of deep tendon reflexes can help identify changes in neuromuscular function and is often used in neurological assessments. However, it is not the most critical intervention in the context of elevated potassium levels and heart failure.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Offering the client oral fluids is important for hydration, but it may not be appropriate for all patients, especially those with certain medical conditions or those who are NPO (nothing by mouth)7.
Choice B rationale
Feeding the client a snack can help maintain energy levels, but it may not be appropriate for all patients, especially those with dietary restrictions or those who are NPO7.
Choice C rationale
Assessing breath sounds is an important part of respiratory assessment, but it is not typically within the scope of practice for unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). This task should be performed by a licensed nurse.
Choice D rationale
Emptying the urinary drainage bag is an appropriate task for a UAP to perform each time the client is turned. This helps ensure accurate measurement of urinary output and prevents infection by keeping the bag below the level of the bladder.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Histamine H2-receptor antagonists, also known as H2 blockers, are medications that help reduce the production of gastric acid. They achieve this by blocking H2 receptors in the parietal cells of the stomach, which are responsible for secreting hydrochloric acid (HCl)12. This reduction in acid secretion can help treat conditions such as peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which are all conditions that can be exacerbated by excessive stomach acid.
Choice B rationale
While H2 blockers do help manage the symptoms of peptic ulcer disease, they do not directly destroy the microorganisms causing inflammation in the stomach. The primary cause of peptic ulcers is a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, and the treatment for an H. pylori infection typically involves a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors, not H2 blockers.
Choice C rationale
H2 blockers do not neutralize hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach. Instead, they work by reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach. Antacids, not H2 blockers, are the class of drugs that work by neutralizing stomach acid.
Choice D rationale
H2 blockers do not inhibit the action of acetylcholine by blocking parasympathetic nerve endings. Anticholinergic medications are the ones that work by blocking the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that transmits signals in the nervous system.
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