The nurse is caring for a child with hypoparathyroidism who demonstrates a carpal spasm when pressure is applied to the upper arm. Which laboratory value should the nurse review?
Potassium.
Chloride.
Sodium.
Calcium.
The Correct Answer is D
Hypoparathyroidism is a disorder in which the parathyroid glands produce insufficient amounts of parathyroid hormone, which regulates calcium and phosphorus levels in the body. In hypoparathyroidism, there is a decreased level of calcium in the blood, which can result in carpal spasm or tetany when pressure is applied to the upper arm.
Therefore, the nurse should review the child's calcium level (D) to determine if it is within the normal range. Low calcium levels can cause muscle spasms, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias. Hypocalcemia may also result in other symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and muscle cramps.
Potassium (A), chloride (B), and sodium (C) are electrolytes that play important roles in various physiological processes in the body, but they are not directly related to the development of carpal spasm in a child with hypoparathyroidism. While hypokalemia (low potassium) or hyponatremia (low sodium) can cause muscle weakness or cramps, these conditions are not typically associated with carpal spasm in hypoparathyroidism.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The nurse should reassure the parents that febrile seizures typically decrease in frequency as the child grows older. Most children outgrow febrile seizures by the age of 5 years.
Ibuprofen is not typically used prophylactically to prevent febrile seizures.
Providing the child with a sponge bath for temperatures over 100.6°F (38.1° C) can help to lower the fever, but it will not necessarily prevent febrile seizures.
Avoiding excessive visual stimuli is not necessary for children with febrile seizures, as this type of seizure is triggered by a fever rather than visual stimuli.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Answer: A. Biopsy may rupture the encapsulated tumor and cause the cancer cells to spread.
Rationale:
A) Biopsy may rupture the encapsulated tumor and cause the cancer cells to spread: This is the primary reason why surgery is performed before a biopsy in cases of Wilms tumor. The tumor is usually encapsulated, and performing a biopsy could risk breaking the capsule, leading to the dissemination of cancer cells into surrounding tissues, which can worsen the prognosis.
B) Metal clips are surgically applied at the tumor site for exact marking for radiation: While marking the tumor site for radiation is important, it is not the primary reason for performing surgery before a biopsy. The main concern is about the potential for cancer cell spread during a biopsy procedure.
C) Surgery is necessary to stage the tumor and determine metastasis to other sites: Although staging is a critical aspect of cancer management, the urgency of avoiding tumor rupture and subsequent spread is more pressing in this context. The surgery may assist in staging, but that is not the primary reason for immediate surgical intervention.
D) The surgery provides a visualization of other pathology and dysfunction of the kidney: While the surgical procedure may provide additional information about the kidney's condition, the most significant concern regarding Wilms tumor is preventing tumor rupture and the consequent spread of cancer cells, making this option less relevant.
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