A nurse is gathering data on a patient who has diarrhea.
Which of the following findings is a sign of hypokalemia?
Hypertension.
Cerebral edema.
Muscle weakness.
Hyperactive bowel sounds.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Hypertension is not typically a sign of hypokalemia. Hypokalemia, or low potassium levels, can cause symptoms like fatigue, muscle weakness, digestive problems, and frequent urination. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is not commonly associated with hypokalemia.
Choice B rationale:
Cerebral edema, or swelling in the brain, is not a common symptom of hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is more likely to cause symptoms related to muscle function and digestion, as potassium is an essential mineral that helps regulate muscle contractions, maintain healthy nerve function, and regulate fluid balance.
Choice C rationale:
Muscle weakness is a common symptom of hypokalemia. Potassium helps regulate muscle contractions. When blood potassium levels are low, your muscles produce weaker contractions. This can result in symptoms like muscle weakness and fatigue.
Choice D rationale:
Hyperactive bowel sounds are not typically associated with hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can cause digestive problems, but these are more likely to be issues like constipation rather than increased bowel sounds.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Circulatory overload, also known as hypervolemia or fluid overload, is a condition where the body has too much fluid. This excess fluid, especially in the circulatory system, can lead to a rapid heartbeat. This is because the heart needs to work harder to pump the increased volume of blood, leading to an increased heart rate.
Choice B rationale:
Weight loss is not typically associated with circulatory overload. In fact, quick weight gain might be observed due to the excess fluid in the body.
Choice C rationale:
Low blood pressure is not a common symptom of circulatory overload. On the contrary, high blood pressure can occur because the excess fluid in the circulatory system puts more pressure on the blood vessel walls.
Choice D rationale:
Excessive sweating is not a direct symptom of circulatory overload. However, symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling in certain areas of the body are more common.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Collecting urine from the catheter’s port is not the correct procedure when collecting a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity through straight catheterization. The port is not a sterile environment and could contaminate the specimen, leading to inaccurate results.
Choice B rationale:
Using a sterile specimen container is the correct procedure. This ensures that the specimen is not contaminated by any external bacteria or substances, which could affect the results of the culture and sensitivity test. The container must be sterile to prevent the growth of microbes that are not present in the urine sample. This helps to ensure that the results of the culture are accurate and reflect the microbes present in the urine, not those introduced during collection.
Choice C rationale:
Inflating the balloon with sterile water is not a step in this procedure. The balloon is part of an indwelling catheter, not a straight catheter. An indwelling catheter remains in the bladder for a longer period, and the balloon is inflated to keep it in place. A straight catheter is used for a single voiding or to obtain a sterile urine specimen.
Choice D rationale:
Instructing the patient to clean from front to back with an antiseptic solution is not a step in this procedure. While maintaining cleanliness is important, this specific instruction is more relevant to a clean-catch midstream urine specimen, not a specimen collected through straight catheterization.
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