A nurse is reviewing the diagnostic test results of an older adult female client who is preoperative for a knee arthroplasty. The nurse should notify the surgeon of which of the following results?

Hematocrit 40%

Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL

WBC count 20,000/mm3

Potassium 3.8 mEq/L

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A.   A hematocrit of 40% is within the normal range for females, which is typically around 37-47%. This result is not concerning and does not typically require immediate notification to the surgeon.
B.   A creatinine level of 0.9 mg/dL is within the normal range for adults (normal range varies slightly among laboratories but is generally around 0.5-1.1 mg/dL). This result indicates normal kidney function and does not require immediate notification.
C.   A white blood cell (WBC) count of 20,000/mm3 is elevated above the normal range, which is typically between 4,500-11,000/mm3. An elevated WBC count could indicate infection or inflammation. Given the client is preoperative, an elevated WBC count may suggest an underlying infection that needs to be addressed before proceeding with surgery. The nurse should notify the surgeon promptly so appropriate evaluation and management can be initiated.
D.   A potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L is within the normal range (normal range is generally 3.5-5.0 mEq/L). This result is not concerning and does not require immediate notification to the surgeon.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Potassium levels are important for assessing electrolyte balance and are not directly indicative of protein intake or synthesis.
B. Calcium levels are important for bone health, nerve function, and muscle contraction. They are not directly indicative of protein intake or synthesis.
C. Albumin is a plasma protein that reflects the body's nutritional status and liver function. It has a relatively long half-life (approximately 20 days), making it a useful marker for assessing protein intake and synthesis over time. Low albumin levels can indicate malnutrition, liver disease, or other conditions affecting protein metabolism.
D. Sodium levels are important for fluid balance and nerve function. They are not directly indicative of protein intake or synthesis.

A. Assess the airway. B. Administer prescribed bronchodilators. C. Administer prescribed mucolytics. D. Provide oxygen.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Assessing the airway is always a priority in any client care situation, especially when there are respiratory abnormalities such as respiratory acidosis. Ensuring a patent airway is crucial to maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation.
B. Bronchodilators are typically used to treat conditions such as bronchoconstriction in asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, in the context of respiratory acidosis with an elevated PaCO2, the primary issue is not bronchoconstriction but rather impaired gas exchange due to inadequate ventilation.
C. Mucolytics are medications used to thin mucus and facilitate its removal from the respiratory tract. While they can be beneficial in conditions with thick secretions, they do not address the underlying cause of respiratory acidosis, which is inadequate CO2 elimination.
D. Providing oxygen can help improve oxygenation in clients with respiratory acidosis. However, it is important to note that oxygen alone will not correct the underlying cause of respiratory acidosis (elevated PaCO2). Oxygen therapy is supportive and helps to improve oxygen delivery to tissues while other interventions are addressed.

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A nurse is reviewing the diagnostic test results of an older adult female client who is preoperative for a knee arthroplasty. The nurse should notify the surgeon of which of the following results?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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