A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client who has Cushing's disease. The nurse should expect the client to have an increase in which of the following laboratory values?
Serum calcium level
Lymphocyte count
Serum glucose level
Serum potassium level
The Correct Answer is C
Rationale:
A. Serum calcium level: Cushing’s disease does not typically cause elevated calcium levels. Calcium levels are usually normal unless there is an underlying bone disorder or concurrent condition affecting calcium metabolism.
B. Lymphocyte count: Cortisol excess in Cushing’s disease suppresses the immune system, leading to lymphopenia rather than an increased lymphocyte count. A decreased lymphocyte count is more consistent with the disease process.
C. Serum glucose level: Elevated cortisol levels increase gluconeogenesis and decrease glucose uptake by cells, resulting in hyperglycemia. Clients with Cushing’s disease often exhibit elevated blood glucose as a direct effect of excess cortisol.
D. Serum potassium level: Cortisol has mineralocorticoid activity, promoting potassium excretion by the kidneys. As a result, clients with Cushing’s disease commonly have hypokalemia rather than increased serum potassium levels.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Restrict daily exercise: Clients with heart failure benefit from regular, moderate activity as tolerated to improve cardiac efficiency and prevent deconditioning. Restricting all exercise can worsen functional status and is not recommended unless specifically limited by the healthcare provider.
B. Encourage 3 large meals per day: Large meals can increase cardiac workload and exacerbate heart failure symptoms due to increased blood flow demands during digestion. Smaller, more frequent meals are preferable to reduce strain on the heart.
C. Limit dietary salt intake: Reducing sodium intake helps prevent fluid retention and edema, which can exacerbate heart failure and increase cardiac workload. Teaching clients to limit salt is a key intervention to manage decreased cardiac output and maintain stable fluid balance.
D. Obtain weight once per week: Daily weight monitoring is recommended for clients with heart failure to detect fluid retention early. Weekly weights may delay recognition of sudden fluid accumulation, increasing the risk of decompensation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. A newborn who has forceful vomiting with feedings: Forceful vomiting in a newborn may indicate pyloric stenosis, gastrointestinal obstruction, or other serious conditions that can quickly lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. This is an urgent finding requiring immediate assessment to prevent rapid deterioration.
B. A newborn who has a heart rate of 160/min while crying: A heart rate of 160/min is within the expected range for a newborn (120–160/min) during activity or crying. While monitoring is necessary, this finding is not immediately concerning and does not require urgent intervention.
C. A newborn who is 24 hr of age and has blood-tinged vaginal discharge: A small amount of blood-tinged vaginal discharge (pseudomenstruation) is a normal hormonal response in female newborns due to maternal estrogen withdrawal. This is an expected finding and does not require urgent assessment.
D. A newborn who is 12 hr of age and has not voided: While monitoring urinary output is important, a newborn may normally not void within the first 12 hours of life. Assessment is needed, but it is not as urgent as forceful vomiting, which can quickly cause serious complications.
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