A nurse is caring for a group of clients in a medical unit. Which of the following clients is at the highest risk for developing osmotic cerebral edema?

A client with a decreased potassium level

A client with a decreased serum glucose

A client with an increased hemoglobin A1C

A client with an increased creatinine level

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A Reason:

A client with a decreased potassium level is incorrect. Hypokalemia (decreased potassium level) can cause various neurological symptoms, but it doesn't directly lead to osmotic cerebral edema.

Choice B Reason:

When plasma glucose levels are rapidly lowered, an osmotic gradient develops between the brain and plasma, which can lead to cerebral edema. Brain cells pull water from the plasma, resulting in widespread edema.

Choice C Reason:

While HbA1c is an important marker of diabetes control and may indicate poor long-term management, it does not directly relate to the acute metabolic derangements (e.g., rapid osmotic shifts, severity of acidosis) that predispose to cerebral edema in DKA.

Choice D Reason:

A client with an increased creatinine level is incorrect. Elevated creatinine levels typically indicate kidney dysfunction or dehydration, but they don't directly cause osmotic cerebral edema.

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:

Respiratory alkalosis is incorrect. Tension pneumothorax typically leads to respiratory distress and hypoxemia rather than respiratory alkalosis. The respiratory alkalosis may occur initially due to hyperventilation in response to hypoxemia but would not be directly related to tracheal deviation.

Choice B Reason:

Increased venous return is incorrect. Tension pneumothorax actually leads to decreased venous return due to compression of the great vessels in the thorax, particularly the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava. This compression results from the increased pressure within the thorax, which impedes blood flow back to the heart.

Choice C Reason:

Decreased cardiac output is incorrect. Tension pneumothorax can indeed lead to decreased cardiac output due to compression of the heart and the great vessels by the accumulating air in the pleural space. This compression decreases venous return and impairs cardiac function.

Choice D Reason:

Dilated ventricles is incorrect. As mentioned earlier, tension pneumothorax can lead to compression of the heart, including the ventricles. This compression can cause dilatation of the ventricles, particularly the right ventricle, due to increased afterload and decreased venous return.

A. Sexual intercourse B. Tight clothing C. Nausea D. Surgery below level of injury E. Urinary tract infections

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]

Explanation

Choice A Reason:

Sexual intercourse is correct. Stimulation of the genitalia or other areas below the level of injury can trigger autonomic dysreflexia in individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Choice B Reason:

Tight clothing is correct. Any form of tight or restrictive clothing, including belts or waistbands, can stimulate the body below the level of injury and trigger autonomic dysreflexia.

Choice C Reason:

Nausea is incorrect. While nausea itself is not a common trigger for autonomic dysreflexia, it may occur as a result of the condition. Autonomic dysreflexia can cause a variety of symptoms, including nausea, due to the sudden increase in blood pressure.

Choice D Reason:

Surgery below the level of injury is correct. Surgical procedures performed below the level of the spinal cord injury can lead to stimulation of the body below the injury site, triggering autonomic dysreflexia.

Choice E Reason:

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) is correct. Infections of the urinary tract, especially those involving the bladder or urethra, can stimulate the body below the level of injury, leading to autonomic dysreflexia.

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 is caring for a group of clients in a medical unit. Which of the following clients is at the highest risk for developing osmotic cerebral edema?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is assessing a client who has tension pneumothorax. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect following tracheal deviation?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has a spinal cord injury at the first thoracic level. Which of the following should the nurse recognize can trigger autonomic dysreflexia? (Select All that Apply.)

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]

Explanation

Which of the following obstructive sleep apnea risk factors and behavioral therapies should the nurse discuss with the client? (Select All that Apply.)

A nurse is caring for a client who has multiple sclerosis and is being evaluated for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Which of the following findings should the nurse recognize as manifestations of this condition? (Select All that Apply.)

A nurse is caring for a client who was involved in a motor vehicle accident. The client is alert and oriented and reports a loss of consciousness immediately after the accident. Which of the following additional manifestations should the nurse assess the client for? (Select All that Apply.)

A nurse is providing teaching about potential complications to a client who has a spinal cord injury. Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching as a common complication of spinal cord injuries? (Select All that Apply.)

A nurse is caring for a client who has a spinal cord injury at the fourth cervical level. Which of the following mobility options should the nurse anticipate for this client?

A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a client who was brought in by a neighbor after falling down suddenly while walking. Which of the following assessments are the priority for the nurse to complete?(Select All that Apply.)

A nurse is providing care to a client who has Parkinson's disease and is having difficulty swallowing. Which of the following departments should the nurse plan to contact for a consultation?