A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has sustained a head injury. The nurse notes the client's IV ﬂuids are infusing at 125 mL/hr. Which of the following is an appropriate action by the nurse?

Slow the rate to 50 mL/hr.

Increase the rate to 250 mL/hr.

Slow the rate to 20 mL/hr.

Continue the rate at 125 mL/hr.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A Reason: This choice is incorrect because slowing the rate to 50 mL/hr may not be enough to prevent cerebral edema, which is a common complication of head injury. Cerebral edema is a swelling of the brain tissue due to increased ﬂuid accumulation. It can cause increased intracranial pressure (ICP), which can lead to brain damage or death. Therefore, the nurse should limit the ﬂuid intake of the client with head injury to avoid worsening the condition.

Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect because increasing the rate to 250 mL/hr may cause ﬂuid overload, which can also increase the ICP and worsen the cerebral edema. Fluid overload is a condition in which the body has too much ﬂuid, which can impair the function of the heart, lungs, and kidneys. Therefore, the nurse should avoid giving too much ﬂuid to the client with head injury.

Choice C Reason: This choice is correct because slowing the rate to 20 mL/hr may help to maintain adequate hydration and electrolyte balance, while preventing ﬂuid overload and cerebral edema. This is a conservative approach that can be used until the client's neurological status and ICP are assessed and monitored.

Choice D Reason: This choice is incorrect because continuing the rate at 125 mL/hr may not be appropriate for the client with head injury, depending on their individual needs and condition. The nurse should adjust the ﬂuid rate according to the client's vital signs, urine output, serum osmolality, and ICP. Therefore, the nurse should not assume that this rate is optimal for the client without further evaluation.

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 A

Explanation

Choice A Reason: Dobutamine is a positive inotropic agent that increases the contractility of the heart and improves cardiac output. This leads to increased renal perfusion and urine output, which reduces the ﬂuid overload and edema associated with heart failure. Therefore, this choice is correct.

Choice B Reason: Dobutamine does not have a direct eﬀect on blood glucose level. It may cause hyperglycemia as a side eﬀect, but this is not an indication of its eﬀectiveness. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice C Reason: Dobutamine may cause a slight decrease in blood pressure due to vasodilation, but this is not its main therapeutic eﬀect. A significant decrease in blood pressure may indicate hypovolemia, hypotension, or shock, which are adverse eﬀects of dobutamine. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice D Reason: Dobutamine also has a positive chronotropic eﬀect, which means it increases the heart rate. However, this is not a desired outcome for a client with heart failure, as it increases the oxygen demand of the heart and may worsen the condition. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

A. PaCO2: 50 mm Hg B. HCO3: 30 mEq/L C. pH: 7.45 D. Potassium: 3 mEq/L

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason: This choice is correct because respiratory acidosis is a condition in which the lungs cannot eliminate enough carbon dioxide (CO2) from the blood, resulting in a high level of CO2 (PaCO2) and a low level of pH. A normal PaCO2 range is 35 to 45 mm Hg, so a value of 50 mm Hg indicates respiratory acidosis.

Choice B Reason: This choice is incorrect because HCO3 (bicarbonate) is a base that helps to buﬀer the excess acid in the blood. In respiratory acidosis, the kidneys try to compensate by retaining more HCO3 and excreting more hydrogen ions. Therefore, a high level of HCO3 (above 26 mEq/L) would indicate a chronic or compensated respiratory acidosis, not an acute or uncompensated one.

Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect because pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the blood. A normal pH range is 7.35 to 7.45, so a value of 7.45 indicates a neutral or slightly alkaline blood, not an acidic one. A low pH (below 7.35) would indicate respiratory acidosis.

Choice D Reason: This choice is incorrect because potassium is an electrolyte that helps to regulate the nerve and muscle function, as well as the ﬂuid balance in the body. In respiratory acidosis, the increased hydrogen ions in the blood may shift into the cells in exchange for potassium, resulting in a high level of potassium (hyperkalemia).

Therefore, a low level of potassium (below 3.5 mEq/L) would indicate hypokalemia, not respiratory acidosis.

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 nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has sustained a head injury. The nurse notes the client's IV ﬂuids are infusing at 125 mL/hr. Which of the following is an appropriate action by the nurse?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse in the ICU is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving a dobutamine drip. The nurse should identify that which of the following findings indicates that the medication is eﬀective?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values of a client who has respiratory acidosis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who has sustained a head injury. The nurse notes the client's IV ﬂuids are infusing at 125 mL/hr. Which of the following is an appropriate action by the nurse?

A nurse in an emergency department is preparing to care for a client who is being brought in with multiple system trauma following a motor vehicle crash. Which of the following should the nurse identify as the priority focus of care?

A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing Cushing's triad following a subdural hematoma. Which of the following medications should the nurse plan to administer?

A nurse is monitoring an older adult female client who had a myocardial infarction (MI) for the development of an acute kidney injury (AKI). Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as indicating an increased risk of AKI?

A nurse working for a home health agency is assessing an older adult male client. Which of the following findings is the priority for the nurse to address?

A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who has a sucking chest wound resulting from a gunshot. The client has a blood pressure of 100/60 mm Hg, a weak pulse rate of 118/min, and a respiratory rate of 40/min. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Here is the edited text: A nurse is caring for a client who has a traumatic brain injury. The nurse notes that the client has a widening pulse pressure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?