The home health nurse visits a client who has a serum sodium level of 123 me/L (123 mmol/L). To explore possible etiologist for this value, what question should the nurse ask the client?
"Do you drink milk or eat dairy products at each meal?"
"How much water and ice chips do you have each day?"
"What amount of your daily meals contains fresh vegetables?"
"How frequently do you eat processed or canned foods?"
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Asking about the consumption of milk or dairy products is not directly related to the client's serum sodium level. Dairy intake does not typically cause significant changes in sodium levels. Therefore, this question would not help in identifying the cause of the hyponatremia.
Choice B reason: This question is most relevant because excessive water or ice chip intake can lead to dilutional hyponatremia. Ingestion of large amounts of water can dilute the sodium concentration in the blood, resulting in a low serum sodium level. Identifying excessive fluid intake is critical in determining if this is the cause of the client's hyponatremia.
Choice C reason: Inquiring about the number of fresh vegetables in the client's diet is more related to overall nutrition rather than directly linked to sodium levels. While vegetables can be part of a healthy diet, this question would not specifically address the cause of a low serum sodium level.
Choice D reason: The frequency of consuming processed or canned foods, which are typically high in sodium, would generally be expected to increase serum sodium levels rather than decrease them. Therefore, this question does not directly address the issue of a low sodium level.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: While acute illness can affect diabetes management and treatment, it does not change the type of diabetes. This response might confuse the client more, as type 1 and type 2 diabetes are different conditions.
Choice B reason: Advising the client that insulin will be discontinued when glycosylated haemoglobin A1C levels reflect good control can be misleading. While good control might reduce the need for insulin, the primary reason for insulin use here is the stress and illness, not just A1C levels.
Choice C reason: Reminding the client that diabetes mellitus is a chronic progressive disease and lifelong insulin is usually needed is not accurate for type 2 diabetes. Many clients with type 2 diabetes can manage their condition without lifelong insulin therapy.
Choice D reason: Explaining that insulin injections will probably be discontinued once stress and illness are resolved is accurate and helps the client understand that the need for insulin is likely temporary due to the acute condition and stress on their body. This response provides clarity and reassurance without causing unnecessary concern.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: The degree of skin elasticity is a measure often used to assess hydration status, especially in older adults. However, it does not provide direct information about the client's cardiac function or the cause of their current symptoms.
Choice B reason: The length of capillary refill is useful for assessing peripheral perfusion and overall circulatory status. While prolonged capillary refill can indicate poor perfusion, it does not provide specific information about heart rhythm or the cause of palpitations and faintness in a client with heart failure.
Choice C reason: The rhythm of the apical pulse is the most important assessment data to obtain in this scenario. The client's complaint of a fast-beating heart and feeling faint suggests a possible arrhythmia, which could be detected by assessing the rhythm of the apical pulse. This assessment can help identify irregular heartbeats, tachycardia, or other abnormalities that may require immediate intervention.
Choice D reason: The volume of pedal pulses can provide information about peripheral circulation, but it is not as crucial as assessing the heart rhythm in a client experiencing palpitations and faintness. Peripheral pulse volume may not change significantly with certain arrhythmias or cardiac issues that affect the central circulation more directly.
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