Which rationale supports the nurse's assessment of a patient's magnesium level?
The electrolyte is the most abundant intracellular cation present in the body.
The electrolyte may cause extracellular fluid overload.
Magnesium may affect neuromuscular excitability and contractility.
The patient is at risk for hypotension when the levels of magnesium decrease.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
While magnesium is indeed the most abundant intracellular cation in the body, this fact alone does not explain why the nurse would assess the patient's magnesium level.
Choice B rationale:
Magnesium imbalance can cause issues in the extracellular fluid compartment, but this choice does not explain why the nurse would specifically assess the patient's magnesium level.
Choice D rationale:
While hypotension can be a symptom of severe magnesium deficiency, this choice does not provide a rationale for assessing the patient's magnesium level. In this case, choice C is correct because magnesium plays a crucial role in neuromuscular excitability and contractility. Abnormal magnesium levels can lead to neuromuscular symptoms such as muscle weakness, tremors, and spasms. Additionally, magnesium is involved in cardiac muscle function, and low magnesium levels can lead to arrhythmias and other cardiac issues. Therefore, assessing the patient's magnesium level is essential in understanding their neuromuscular and cardiac health.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Skeletal pain is not a typical finding in stage I Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma typically presents with painless enlarged lymph nodes, which is a hallmark symptom of the disease.
Choice B rationale:
Enlarged lymph nodes are a characteristic feature of Hodgkin lymphoma. In stage I, the disease is localized to one group of lymph nodes.
Choice C rationale:
T-cell blasts in the lymph node are not specific to Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin lymphoma is characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells, which are large abnormal B cells, not T-cell blasts.
Choice D rationale:
Lymphoblasts in the cerebrospinal fluid are not associated with Hodgkin lymphoma. Involvement of the central nervous system is rare in Hodgkin lymphoma and typically does not lead to the presence of lymphoblasts in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is: B. Normocytic.
Choice A rationale: Microcytic erythrocytes, or smaller-than-normal red blood cells, are typically seen in chronic conditions like iron deficiency anemia, not acute blood loss.
Choice B rationale: Normocytic erythrocytes, or normal-sized red blood cells, are usually seen in acute blood loss as the body's initial response doesn't alter the size of red blood cells.
Choice C rationale: Hypochromic erythrocytes, or paler-than-normal red blood cells, are more common in chronic anemia states such as iron deficiency.
Choice D rationale: Megaloblastic erythrocytes, or abnormally large red blood cells, are seen in conditions like vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, not in acute blood loss.
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