The nurse discovers that an older client with no history of cardiac or renal disease has an elevated serum magnesium level. To further investigate the cause of this electrolyte imbalance, what information is most important for the nurse to obtain from the client's medical history?

A client with Addison's disease becomes weak, confused, and dehydrated following the onset of an acute viral infection. The client's laboratory values include: sodium 129 mEq/L (129 mmol/L), glucose 54 mg/dl (2.97 mmol/L) and potassium 5.3 mEq/L (5.3 mmol/L).

When reporting the findings to the healthcare provider, the nurse anticipates a prescription for which intravenous medication?

Reference Ranges

• Sodium [Reference Range: Adult 136 to 145 mEq/L (136 to 145 mmol/L)
• Glucose (Reference Range: 0 to 50 years: 74 to 106 mg/dl. (4.1 to 5.9 mmol/L))
• Potassium [Reference Range: 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L)

The nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child with eczema. The child's skin is dry and scaly, and the mother reports that the child frequently scratches the lesions on the skin to the point of causing bleeding. Which guideline is indicated for care of this child?

A client who is one day postpartum tells the nurse that her baby cannot latch onto the breast.

The nurse determines that the client's nipples are inverted. Which action should the nurse implement?

While caring for a client after a small bowel resection, the nurse is informed that the client has a history of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). To reduce the risk of recurrence of the MRSA in the postoperative wound, which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

The client is in the hospital after her house collapsed during a hurricane. She has been in the intensive care unit for 2 weeks and moved today to the surgical floor to continue monitoring her respiratory function and to complete intravenous antibiotic administration.

For each client statement, click to highlight the statement(s) below that require follow up teaching by the nurse.

•  I am at high risk for post-traumatic-stress disorder because I have acute stress disorder
•  I can use holistic approaches like meditation to help my symptoms.
•  I can learn to manage my thoughts better through therapy.
• Many people have the same response to a stressful situation as I am having.
•  This diagnosis means that I am crazy.
•  I will probably need to be on medication for the rest of my life.

An older client comes to the clinic with a family member. When the nurse attempts to take the client's health history, the client does not respond to questions in a clear manner. Which action should the nurse implement first?

A client with diabetes insipidus (DI) has an average urinary output of 500 ml. of dilute urine every hour for the last 4 hours. Which laboratory test is most important for the nurse to monitor?

A 7-year-old female child admitted to pre-op for scheduled surgery. Focused assessment completed. Lung sounds are clear to auscultation (CTA), heart sounds clear with normal sinus rhythm, skin clear with no breakdown.

• Abdomen soft with bowel sounds heard in all 4 quadrants.
• A feeding tube is present on the abdomen
• Site is clean and clear.
• Consents for surgery signed by parent at preadmission visit.
• Peripheral IV (PIV) 22 gauge inserted in right forearm with assistance from another nurse.
• Cried throughout procedure.
• Comforted by parent and use of touch music.
• IV fluids at 75 mL/hr started.

Client transported to operating room (OR) and The nurse is developing the plan of care for the child. To provide atraumatic care for this child post-operatively, what will be the priority?

A client who weighs 65 kg receives a prescription for lorazepam 44 mcg/kg intravenously to be administered 20 minutes before a scheduled procedure. The medication is available in 2 mg/mL vial. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Enter numerical value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)

The practical nurse (PN) reports that a client who has a fingerstick glucose of 35 mg/dL (1.94 mmol/L) is alert and diaphoretic. Which action should the charge nurse take?

Reference Ranges

• Glucose [Reference Range: 0 to 50 years: 74 to 106 mg/dL (4.1 to 5.9 mmol/L)]