A patient with acute renal failure (ARF) is admitted due to uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus and hyperkalemia. The nurse administers an IV dose of regular insulin per sliding scale.
What is the most important intervention for the nurse to include in this patient’s plan of care?
Monitor the patient’s cardiac activity via telemetry.
Assess glucose via fingerstick every 4 to 6 hours.
Evaluate hourly urine output for return of normal renal function.
Maintain venous access with an infusion of normal saline.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Monitoring the patient’s cardiac activity via telemetry is the most important intervention for a patient with acute renal failure (ARF), uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus, and hyperkalemia who is receiving an IV dose of regular insulin. Hyperkalemia can cause cardiac arrhythmias and other cardiac complications. Therefore, continuous cardiac monitoring is crucial to detect any changes in heart rhythm or rate that could indicate worsening hyperkalemia.
Choice B rationale
While assessing glucose via fingerstick every 4 to 6 hours is important for a patient with uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus, it is not the most important intervention in this scenario. The patient’s hyperkalemia and ARF pose more immediate risks.
Choice C rationale
Evaluating hourly urine output for return of normal renal function is an important part of monitoring a patient with ARF34. However, in the context of hyperkalemia and the administration of insulin, cardiac monitoring is more critical.
Choice D rationale
Maintaining venous access with an infusion of normal saline is a standard nursing intervention for most hospitalized patients, but it is not the most important intervention in this scenario.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]
No explanation
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While a high-calorie, high-protein diet can be beneficial for patients recovering from surgery or illness, it is not the immediate next step after collecting bone aspirate specimens for culture and sensitivity and applying a cast to a patient’s lower leg. The priority is to address the infection identified through the bone aspirate specimens.
Choice B rationale
Beginning parenteral antibiotic therapy is the appropriate next step after collecting bone aspirate specimens for culture and sensitivity in a patient with osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is an infection in the bone, and antibiotics are typically the first line of treatment. Therefore, this choice is the correct answer.
Choice C rationale
Administering antiemetic agents would be appropriate if the patient were experiencing nausea or vomiting. However, there is no indication in the question that the patient is experiencing these symptoms. Therefore, this choice is not the correct answer.
Choice D rationale
Bivalving the cast for distal compromise would be appropriate if there were signs of compromised circulation or nerve function below the level of the cast. However, there is no indication in the question that the patient is experiencing these issues. Therefore, this choice is not the correct answer.
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