Which laboratory results should the nurse closely monitor in a client who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD)?

Serum potassium, calcium, and phosphorus

Erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit

Leukocytes, neutrophils, and thyroxine

Blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: This is the correct answer because serum potassium, calcium, and phosphorus are laboratory results that should be closely monitored in a client who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD is a chronic condition that causes irreversible loss of kidney function and accumulation of waste products and fluids in the body. Potassium is an electrolyte that regulates nerve and muscle function and cardiac rhythm. ESRD can cause hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) due to reduced excretion by the kidneys. Hyperkalemia can cause cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, or paralysis. Calcium and phosphorus are minerals that maintain bone health and acid-base balance. ESRD can cause hypocalcemia (low calcium levels) due to impaired vitamin D metabolism and hyperphosphatemia (high phosphorus levels) due to reduced excretion by the kidneys. Hypocalcemia can cause muscle cramps, tetany, or seizures. Hyperphosphatemia can cause soft tissue calcification, bone pain, or fractures.

Choice B reason: Erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit are laboratory results that are not as critical as serum potassium, calcium, and phosphorus in a client who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Erythrocytes are red blood cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. Hemoglobin is a protein in erythrocytes that binds oxygen. Hematocrit is the percentage of blood volume that is occupied by erythrocytes. ESRD can cause anemia (low erythrocyte, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels) due to reduced production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates erythrocyte formation, by the kidneys. Anemia can cause fatigue, pallor, or shortness of breath.

Choice C reason: Leukocytes, neutrophils, and thyroxine are laboratory results that are not as relevant as serum potassium, calcium, and phosphorus in a client who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Leukocytes are white blood cells that fight infection and inflammation. Neutrophils are a type of leukocyte that respond to bacterial infection. Thyroxine is a hormone that regulates metabolism and growth. ESRD can cause leukopenia (low leukocyte levels) and neutropenia (low neutrophil levels) due to impaired immune function and increased susceptibility to infection. ESRD can also cause hypothyroidism (low thyroxine levels) due to reduced clearance of thyroid hormones by the kidneys. Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain, cold intolerance, or depression.

Choice D reason: Blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature are not laboratory results, but vital signs that should be monitored in a client who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the arteries. Heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute. Temperature is the measure of body heat. ESRD can cause hypertension (high blood pressure) due to fluid overload and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, a hormonal pathway that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance. Hypertension can cause headache, chest pain, or stroke. ESRD can also cause tachycardia (high heart rate) due to anemia, fluid overload, or electrolyte imbalance. Tachycardia can cause palpitations, dizziness, or heart failure. ESRD can also cause fever (high temperature) due to infection or inflammation. Fever can cause chills, sweating, or delirium.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Determining the need for urinary catheterization is not a task that the nurse should assign to the PN, as this requires clinical judgment and critical thinking, which are beyond the scope of practice of the PN. This is a distractor choice.

Choice B reason: Titrating oxygen to prescribed parameters is a task that the nurse can assign to the PN, as this involves following orders and protocols, which are within the scope of practice of the PN. Therefore, this is the correct choice.

Choice C reason: Receiving a postoperative client and conducting the assessment is not a task that the nurse should assign to the PN, as this requires initial assessment and data collection, which are the responsibility of the registered nurse. This is another distractor choice.

Choice D reason: Evaluating and updating plans of care for clients is not a task that the nurse should assign to the PN, as this requires nursing diagnosis and outcome identification, which are part of the nursing process that only the registered nurse can perform. This is another distractor choice.

A. Obtain postoperative vital signs for a client one day following unilateral knee arthroplasty. B. Perform daily surgical dressing change for a client who had an abdominal hysterectomy. C. Initiate patient controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps for two clients immediately postoperatively. D. Start the second blood transfusion for a client twelve hours following a below knee amputation. E. Monitor a dose of warfarin per protocol for a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Correct Answer is ["A","B","E"]

Explanation

Choice A reason: This is a correct answer because obtaining postoperative vital signs for a client one day following unilateral knee arthroplasty is a nursing action that can be assigned to the PN. Vital signs are measurements of the body's basic functions, such as temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and respiration. Vital signs should be monitored regularly after surgery to detect any signs of infection, bleeding, shock, or pain. The PN has the knowledge and skill to measure and record vital signs and report any abnormal findings to the nurse.

Choice B reason: This is a correct answer because performing daily surgical dressing change for a client who had an abdominal hysterectomy is a nursing action that can be assigned to the PN. Surgical dressing is a material that covers and protects a wound from infection, bleeding, or contamination. Surgical dressing should be changed daily or as needed to keep the wound clean and dry and promote healing. The PN has the knowledge and skill to perform surgical dressing change using sterile technique and appropriate equipment and report any signs of wound infection or dehiscence to the nurse.

Choice C reason: Initiating patient controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps for two clients immediately postoperatively is not a nursing action that can be assigned to the PN. PCA pump is a device that allows the client to self-administer pain medication through an IV line by pressing a button. PCA pump should be initiated by the nurse after verifying the prescription, setting the parameters, educating the client, and ensuring safety and effectiveness. The PN does not have the authority or competency to initiate PCA pump or adjust its settings.

Choice D reason: Starting the second blood transfusion for a client twelve hours following a below knee amputation is not a nursing action that can be assigned to the PN. Blood transfusion is a procedure that delivers donated blood or blood products into the client's bloodstream through an IV line. Blood transfusion should be started by the nurse after verifying the prescription, checking the blood type and compatibility, obtaining informed consent, and monitoring for any adverse reactions. The PN does not have the authority or competency to start blood transfusion or manage its complications.

Choice E reason: This is a correct answer because monitoring a dose of warfarin per protocol for a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a nursing action that can be assigned to the PN. Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication that prevents blood clots by inhibiting vitamin K dependent clotting factors. Warfarin should be monitored per protocol by checking the international normalized ratio (INR), which measures how long it takes for blood to clot. The PN has the knowledge and skill to monitor warfarin per protocol by obtaining blood samples, performing point-of-care testing, and reporting results to the nurse.

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Which laboratory results should the nurse closely monitor in a client who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD)?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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Correct Answer is ["A","B","E"]

Explanation

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