A nurse is collecting data from a client who has heart failure and takes chlorothiazide sodium. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as indicating hypokalemia?
Restlessness
Hyperactive bowel sounds
Decreased deep-tendon reflexes
Bounding peripheral pulses
The Correct Answer is C
A. Restlessness:
Restlessness is not typically associated with hypokalemia. Instead, it may indicate anxiety, discomfort, or other factors unrelated to electrolyte imbalances.
B. Hyperactive bowel sounds:
Hyperactive bowel sounds are often associated with increased gastrointestinal motility, which may occur in conditions such as diarrhea or gastroenteritis. While electrolyte imbalances can contribute to gastrointestinal symptoms, hyperactive bowel sounds are not specific to hypokalemia.
C. Decreased deep-tendon reflexes:
Hypokalemia can lead to decreased deep-tendon reflexes due to its effects on nerve conduction. Potassium is essential for proper nerve and muscle function, and low levels can impair reflexes.
D. Bounding peripheral pulses:
Bounding peripheral pulses are not typically associated with hypokalemia. Instead, they may indicate increased cardiac output or volume overload, which can occur in conditions such as heart failure.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
(A) Swallow the tablet whole with an 8 oz glass of water.
Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets should not be swallowed. They need to be placed under the tongue where they can dissolve and be absorbed quickly to provide rapid relief from angina.
(B) Store the medication in a pill box at the bedside.
Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets should be stored in their original container and kept tightly closed to protect them from light and moisture. Storing them in a pill box at the bedside could lead to degradation of the medication.
(C) Take the medication at the first indication of chest pain.
This is the correct instruction. Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets should be taken at the first sign of chest pain to provide prompt relief. The rapid onset of action helps to alleviate angina symptoms quickly.
(D) Remove the nitroglycerine patch before taking the sublingual tablet.
It is not necessary to remove the nitroglycerin patch before taking a sublingual tablet. The two forms of nitroglycerin can be used together, as the patch provides a continuous dose while the sublingual tablet offers rapid relief of acute symptoms.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Vomiting:
Vomiting can lead to metabolic alkalosis due to the loss of hydrochloric acid from the stomach, resulting in increased bicarbonate levels in the blood. It does not directly contribute to metabolic acidosis.
B. Hyperventilation:
Hyperventilation can lead to respiratory alkalosis due to excessive elimination of carbon dioxide (CO2) through increased respiratory rate and depth. It is not associated with metabolic acidosis.
C. Diarrhea:
Diarrhea can lead to metabolic acidosis due to the loss of bicarbonate-rich fluid from the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in decreased bicarbonate levels in the blood. While diarrhea can contribute to metabolic acidosis, it is not the case in this scenario.
D. Salicylate intoxication:
Salicylate intoxication, such as aspirin overdose, can lead to metabolic acidosis due to the accumulation of salicylic acid, which is a weak acid that dissociates in the body, contributing to an increased anion gap metabolic acidosis. This is a direct cause of metabolic acidosis in this scenario.
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