A nurse is planning to teach a group of newly licensed nurses about hypernatremia. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse include in the teaching?
Seizure
Elevated hematocrit
Bradypnea
Personality change
The Correct Answer is D
A. Seizure: While seizures may occur in severe cases of hypernatremia, they are more typically associated with hyponatremia, where cerebral edema is more prominent due to water shifts into brain cells.
B. Elevated hematocrit: An elevated hematocrit may be seen with dehydration, which can accompany hypernatremia, but it is not a direct or reliable indicator of sodium imbalance itself.
C. Bradypnea: Respiratory changes like bradypnea are not characteristic of hypernatremia. This condition primarily affects the neurological system, not the respiratory system.
D. Personality change: Hypernatremia causes cellular dehydration, particularly in brain cells, leading to neurological symptoms such as confusion, agitation, irritability, and personality changes.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Contemplation: In the contemplation stage, individuals or groups are aware of a problem and are thinking about making a change but have not yet taken any action. The focus remains on weighing the pros and cons of changing behavior.
B. Action: The action stage involves actively modifying behaviors, environments, or systems. Since the group is already in the process of reducing pesticide use, they are implementing change, which aligns with the action phase of behavior change.
C. Maintenance: Maintenance is the stage in which individuals or groups work to sustain changes that have already been fully implemented. This group has not yet reached that point, as they are still actively working on the change.
D. Preparation: In the preparation stage, individuals or groups intend to take action soon and may begin making small changes. However, this does not fit the scenario because the group has moved beyond planning and is already enacting the change.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D","F","H"]
Explanation
Rationales for Correct Findings:
- Client lying in the fetal position; This position often indicates severe abdominal pain and discomfort, signaling peritoneal irritation or acute abdomen. It helps reduce tension on the abdominal muscles, which suggests significant underlying pathology such as peritonitis or perforation.
- Abdominal pain rated 10 radiating to right shoulder: Shoulder pain, especially the right side, can be referred pain from diaphragmatic irritation caused by blood or gastric contents in the peritoneal cavity. This suggests a perforated ulcer or ruptured viscus, making it an alarming symptom requiring immediate attention.
- Abdomen distended and rigid: Abdominal rigidity and distension are classic signs of peritonitis, which may result from gastrointestinal perforation or severe intra-abdominal infection. This indicates an emergency, as the patient may require surgery to address the underlying cause.
- Vomited moderate amount bright red emesis: Bright red emesis indicates active upper gastrointestinal bleeding, which can lead to hypovolemia and shock. This finding requires prompt stabilization and diagnostic evaluation to control bleeding and prevent further deterioration.
- Heart rate 120/min: Tachycardia is an early compensatory response to hypovolemia or pain and can be a sign of shock or sepsis. It indicates the body is under stress, and immediate monitoring and intervention are essential to prevent further cardiovascular compromise.
- Blood pressure 70/49 mm Hg: Hypotension with a low systolic pressure indicates significant circulatory compromise, likely from blood loss or septic shock. This requires urgent fluid resuscitation and advanced cardiac monitoring to prevent organ failure.
Rationale for Incorrect Findings:
- Temperature 36.5° C (97.7° F): The temperature is within normal limits, and the absence of fever does not rule out serious abdominal pathology. Fever may develop later in peritonitis or infection, so normal temperature should not delay intervention but does not require immediate follow-up alone.
- Respiratory rate 20/min: This respiratory rate is within normal to mildly elevated range and may reflect mild distress but is not critical at this time. Oxygen saturation is adequate, and the patient is breathing without significant difficulty, so no urgent intervention based solely on this is needed.
- SpO2 95% room air: Oxygen saturation at 95% on room air is borderline but generally acceptable in adults without respiratory disease. It does not indicate respiratory failure and is not the priority concern in this clinical scenario.
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