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.

Answer and Explanation

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.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale
A sudden change in behavior, especially confusion and agitation, in an elderly patient could be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Pain during urination is a common symptom of UTIs.
Therefore, it is crucial to inquire if the patient is experiencing any pain during urination.
Choice B rationale

While a high-protein diet can be beneficial for some patients, there is no direct link between increased protein intake and the alleviation of confusion or agitation in elderly patients.
Therefore, this option is not a necessary immediate action for the nurse to take.
Choice C rationale
Reviewing the patient’s current food and medication allergies is important. Certain medications or foods might cause adverse reactions, including confusion and agitation. Therefore, it is crucial to review the patient’s allergies to rule out any potential allergens as the cause of the sudden change in behavior.
Choice D rationale
A recent fall could potentially lead to a head injury, which might cause confusion and agitation. Therefore, it is important to determine if the patient has recently experienced a fall.
Choice E rationale
Providing instructions on how to take the patient’s temperature is important. Fever could be a sign of an infection or other medical condition that might cause confusion and agitation.
Therefore, knowing how to accurately measure the patient’s temperature can help monitor the patient’s condition.

A. Document why the blood pressure cannot be accurately measured at the present time. B. Advise the UAP to document the last blood pressure obtained on the client’s graphic sheet. C. Demonstrate how to palpate the popliteal pulse with the client supine and the knee flexed. D. Estimate the blood pressure by assessing the pulse volume of the client’s radial pulses.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
When a client’s blood pressure cannot be measured due to casts on both arms and the client’s position, the most appropriate action for the nurse is to document why the blood pressure cannot be accurately measured at the present time. This is because accurate measurement of blood pressure is crucial for monitoring the client’s health status and making appropriate clinical decisions. If the blood pressure cannot be measured accurately, it is important to document this fact along with the reasons why, so that other healthcare professionals are aware of the situation and can take appropriate action.
Choice B rationale
Advising the UAP to document the last blood pressure obtained on the client’s graphic sheet is not the most appropriate action in this situation. While it might provide some information about the client’s previous blood pressure readings, it does not address the current inability to measure the blood pressure. Furthermore, it could potentially lead to confusion or misinterpretation of the client’s current health status.
Choice C rationale
Demonstrating how to palpate the popliteal pulse with the client supine and the knee flexed is not the most appropriate action in this situation. While palpating the popliteal pulse can provide some information about the client’s circulatory status, it does not provide a measure of blood pressure. Furthermore, this action might not be feasible or appropriate depending on the client’s condition and the presence of casts on both arms.
Choice D rationale
Estimating the blood pressure by assessing the pulse volume of the client’s radial pulses is not the most appropriate action in this situation. While pulse volume can provide some information about the client’s circulatory status, it does not provide a measure of blood pressure. Furthermore, this method of estimating blood pressure is not as accurate or reliable as direct measurement.

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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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]

Explanation

The unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports that a client’s blood pressure cannot be measured in the arms because the client has casts on both arms and is unable to be measured in the legs because the client is in the supine position. Which action should the nurse implement?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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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?