Which laboratory results should the nurse closely monitor in a client who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD)?
Blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature.
Leukocytes, neutrophils, and thyroxine.
Serum potassium, calcium, and phosphorus.
Erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice C reason: serum potassium, calcium, and phosphorus are electrolytes that can be affected by ESRD. ESRD is a condition in which the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood. This can cause electrolyte imbalances that can lead to serious complications, such as cardiac arrhythmias, bone disorders, or metabolic acidosis. The nurse should closely monitor these electrolytes and report any abnormal values.
Choice A reason: blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature are vital signs that are not specific to ESRD. Vital signs can be influenced by many factors and may not reflect the severity of kidney damage. The nurse should monitor vital signs regularly, but not as closely as electrolytes.
Choice B reason: leukocytes, neutrophils, and thyroxine are not laboratory results that are directly related to ESRD. Leukocytes and neutrophils are types of white blood cells that are involved in immune response and inflammation. Thyroxine is a hormone that regulates metabolism and growth. These laboratory results may be altered by other conditions or medications, but not by ESRD.
Choice D reason: erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit are laboratory results that measure the red blood cell count and oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. These laboratory results may be decreased in ESRD due to anemia, which is a common complication of chronic kidney disease. However, anemia is not as life-threatening as electrolyte imbalances and can be treated with erythropoietin injections or iron supplements.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice B reason: the client with antisocial behavior is at risk of being harmed by other clients or harming others. The nurse should intervene immediately to prevent violence and ensure safety.
Choice A reason: the client with anorexia nervosa who is refusing to eat the evening snack is not in immediate danger. The nurse should monitor the client's nutritional status and weight, but this can be done later.
Choice C reason: the client with bipolar disorder who is pacing around the lobby is not in immediate danger. The nurse should assess the client's mood and energy level, but this can be done later.
Choice D reason: the client with major depression who refuses to participate in group is not in immediate danger. The nurse should encourage the client to join the group, but this can be done later.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Securing chest tube to the stretcher for transport is not the most important action for the nurse to take. Chest tube is a device that drains air or fluid from the pleural space or mediastinum after surgery or trauma. Securing chest tube to the stretcher can prevent accidental dislodgement or kinking of the tube during transport, but it is not as crucial as maintaining proper drainage.
Choice B reason: Administering PRN pain medication prior to transport is not the most important action for the nurse to take. Pain medication is a drug that relieves pain by blocking pain signals or reducing inflammation. Administering pain medication prior to transport can improve comfort and reduce anxiety for the client, but it is not as urgent as preventing complications.
Choice C reason: Marking the amount of chest drainage on the container is not the most important action for the nurse to take. Chest drainage is the fluid or air that collects in the chest tube container after being drained from the pleural space or mediastinum. Marking the amount of chest drainage on the container can help monitor fluid balance and detect excessive bleeding or leakage, but it is not as vital as ensuring proper drainage.
Choice D reason: This is the correct answer because keeping chest tube container below the site of insertion is the most important action for the nurse to take. Chest tube container is a device that collects air or fluid from the chest tube and maintains negative pressure in the pleural space or mediastinum. Keeping chest tube container below the site of insertion can prevent backflow of air or fluid into the chest cavity and maintain adequate drainage. If the chest tube container is raised above the site of insertion, it can cause tension pneumothorax, which is a life-threatening condition that occurs when air accumulates in the pleural space and compresses the lung and heart.
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