A client with intestinal obstruction has a nasogastric tube to low intermittent suction and is receiving an intravenous (IV) infusion of lactated Ringer's at 100 mL/hour.
Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider? Reference Range: Potassium (3.5 to 5 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mmol/L).

24-hour intake at the current infusion rate.

Serum potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L (3.1 mmol/L).

Gastric output of 900 mL in the last 24 hours.

Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN).

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale:

Reporting the 24-hour intake at the current infusion rate is not the most important finding to report to the healthcare provider in this case. It is essential to monitor intake and output, but a single report of the 24-hour intake is not as critical as other findings.

Choice B rationale:

Reporting a serum potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L (3.1 mmol/L) is the most important finding to report to the healthcare provider. The patient's potassium level is below the normal range, indicating hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can have serious cardiac and neuromuscular effects, including arrhythmias and muscle weakness. Prompt intervention, such as potassium supplementation or adjustment of IV fluids, is necessary to address this potentially life-threatening condition.

Choice C rationale:

Reporting a gastric output of 900 mL in the last 24 hours is significant and should be reported to the healthcare provider, but it is not as urgent as the low potassium level. Gastric output should be monitored to assess for signs of improvement or worsening, but hypokalemia takes precedence due to its immediate health risks.

Choice D rationale:

Reporting an increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is important for the overall assessment of the patient's renal function but is not the most critical finding in this scenario. The low potassium level is a more immediate concern and requires immediate attention.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice D rationale:

Taking zolpidem before bedtime is the correct information to include in the education. Zolpidem is a medication used for the short-term treatment of insomnia and should be taken immediately before going to bed to facilitate sleep onset.

Choice A rationale:

Crushing zolpidem to increase absorption is not recommended. The medication should be taken whole and not crushed or chewed.

Choice B rationale:

Storing zolpidem at room temperature is correct. Like many medications, zolpidem should be stored at a controlled room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Choice C rationale:

Administering zolpidem with a meal is not necessary and may delay the onset of its effects. It is typically taken on an empty stomach for faster absorption.

A. Prescribe medication for immediate relief. B. Educate the client about various relaxation techniques. C. Assist the client in challenging irrational thoughts. D. Develop measurable and realistic outcomes. E. Develop measurable and realistic outcomes.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Prescribing medication for immediate relief is not the primary goal when establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client with anxiety disorder. While medication may be a part of the treatment plan, the primary focus should be on building trust and addressing the client's emotional needs.

Choice B rationale:

Educating the client about various relaxation techniques can be beneficial, but it is not the primary goal of establishing a therapeutic relationship. The primary goal is to create a trusting and supportive environment in which the client feels comfortable discussing their feelings and concerns.

Choice C rationale:

Assisting the client in challenging irrational thoughts is an important aspect of cognitive-behavioral therapy, but it is not the primary goal of establishing the therapeutic relationship. Building rapport and trust come first.

Choice D rationale:

Developing measurable and realistic outcomes is the primary goal when establishing a therapeutic relationship. These outcomes provide a framework for assessing progress and ensuring that the therapeutic interventions are effective in addressing the client's anxiety disorder.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is providing education to a client who receives a prescription for zolpidem. Which information about the medication should the nurse include?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client with anxiety disorder. What is the primary goal of this intervention?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

An adolescent who is brought to the emergency department (ED) with a fever and persistent lower right quadrant abdominal pain is anxious, fearful, and hyperventilating. The nurse anticipates the client developing which acid-base imbalance?

A client who has atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin therapy. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the medication?

A client with a long history of migraine headaches asks the nurse if there are non-pharmaceutical ways to help obtain pain relief. Which intervention should the nurse offer?

A male preoperative client who has already signed the informed consent for a surgical procedure confides in the practical nurse (PN) that he is really frightened and unsure about undergoing the surgery. Which priority action should the PN take?

When the nurse attempts to teach self-administration of insulin injections to a client who is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), the client tells the nurse in a loud voice to leave the room. Which action should the nurse take?

The practical nurse (PN) is assessing an older client with left-sided heart failure (HF). What intervention is most important for the PN to implement?

A client with renal calculi is experiencing hematuria and reports severe flank pain. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

While caring for a client with a full-thickness burn covering 40% of the body surface area (BSA), the nurse observes purulent drainage at the wound. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider, the nurse should note which of the client's laboratory values?