A client with hyperthyroidism tells the home health nurse, "I stopped taking my antithyroid medication and now I feel anxious. I can feel my heart racing and pounding." Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?

Peripheral pulses.

Vital signs.

Presence of goitre.

Emotional status.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Assessing peripheral pulses is important for understanding the client's overall circulatory status, but it is not the most urgent assessment in this situation. The client's symptoms suggest a possible thyrotoxic crisis, which requires immediate evaluation of critical vital signs.

Choice B reason: Obtaining vital signs is the most important initial assessment. The client's report of anxiety, heart racing, and pounding could indicate a severe exacerbation of hyperthyroidism, potentially leading to a thyrotoxic crisis (thyroid storm). Vital signs will provide essential information on the client's heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and overall stability, which are crucial for immediate management.

Choice C reason: The presence of a goitre can indicates thyroid gland enlargement, which is relevant for long-term management of hyperthyroidism. However, it does not provide immediate information on the client's current acute condition.

Choice D reason: Assessing emotional status is important for comprehensive care, but it is not the priority in this acute scenario. The client's physiological status needs to be stabilized first, as indicated by their vital signs, before focusing on their emotional state.

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 C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Reporting black stools to the healthcare provider is important because black stools can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, which is a serious complication of gastritis. This statement reflects proper understanding and does not need additional education.

Choice B reason: Consuming caffeine in moderation is advisable because excessive caffeine can irritate the stomach lining and exacerbate gastritis symptoms. This statement is correct and shows proper understanding.

Choice C reason: Drinking plenty of water with meals might seem beneficial, but it can actually dilute stomach acid and interfere with digestion, potentially worsening gastritis symptoms. Instead, it is recommended to drink water between meals to stay hydrated without impacting digestion.

Choice D reason: Avoiding ibuprofen for headaches is important because nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can irritate the stomach lining and worsen gastritis. This statement reflects proper understanding and does not need additional education.

A. Serum potassium 5.0 me/L (5.0 mmol/L), serum sodium 138 me/L (138 mmol/L). B. Serum potassium 4.5 me/L (4.5 mmol/L), serum sodium 140 me/L (140 mmol/L). C. Serum potassium 3.5 me/L (3.5 mmol/L), serum sodium 142 me/L (142 mmol/L). D. Serum potassium 3.0 me/L (3.0 mmol/L), serum sodium 149 me/L (149 mmol/L).

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Serum potassium of 5.0 me/L and serum sodium of 138 me/L are within normal ranges and do not reflect the expected electrolyte imbalances due to dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.

Choice B reason: Serum potassium of 4.5 me/L and serum sodium of 140 me/L are also within normal ranges. This does not reflect the typical imbalance caused by dehydration.

Choice C reason: Serum potassium of 3.5 me/L and serum sodium of 142 me/L are normal values. They do not indicate the electrolyte disturbances expected with dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.

Choice D reason: Serum potassium of 3.0 me/L indicates hypokalaemia (low potassium), and serum sodium of 149 me/L indicates hypernatremia (high sodium). These imbalances are expected in a client with a history of fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, as these conditions can lead to loss of potassium and concentration of sodium due to dehydration.

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

A client with hyperthyroidism tells the home health nurse, "I stopped taking my antithyroid medication and now I feel anxious. I can feel my heart racing and pounding." Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is teaching a client with gastritis about self-management. Which statement made by the client should the nurse recognize as needing additional education?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client reports a 2-day history of fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. The healthcare provider prescribes serum electrolyte levels to be obtained. Which laboratory results should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

After initializing a steroid nebulizer treatment for an asthmatic client in respiratory distress, which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

The nurse completes the admission assessment of a client with systemic lupus erythematosus. Which finding requires immediate follow-up by the nurse?

The nurse is obtaining vital sign measurements every 15 minutes for a client who had an emergency appendectomy and currently has a temperature of 101.4°F (38.6°C). Which vital sign measurements should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?

A client with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease asks the nurse about dietary restrictions. How should the nurse respond?

Which diet modification should the nurse suggest to a client who was recently diagnosed with diverticulitis?

The nurse calculates the body mass index (BMI) for an adult client who is obese. Which additional assessment finding places the client at high risk for cardiac disease?

The nurse is obtaining a health history from a new client who has a history of kidney stones. Which statement by the client indicates an increased risk for renal calculi?