A client is hospitalized for observation after suffering heat exhaustion during a marathon race. He complains of dizziness when he stands up, and the RN determines that he has postural hypotension. Based on the information, which of the following electrolyte imbalances could cause the client's symptoms?
Hypernatremia
Hyponatremia
Hyperkalemia
Hypokalemia
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Hypernatremia is a condition of high sodium levels in the blood. It can cause symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth, confusion, agitation, and seizures. It is not likely to cause postural hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure when changing positions.
Choice B reason: Hyponatremia is a condition of low sodium levels in the blood. It can cause symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, fatigue, and confusion. It can also cause postural hypotension, as sodium helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure.
Choice C reason: Hyperkalemia is a condition of high potassium levels in the blood. It can cause symptoms such as muscle weakness, paralysis, irregular heartbeat, and cardiac arrest. It is not likely to cause postural hypotension, which is more related to fluid and sodium levels.
Choice D reason: Hypokalemia is a condition of low potassium levels in the blood. It can cause symptoms such as muscle cramps, weakness, fatigue, constipation, and arrhythmias. It is not likely to cause postural hypotension, which is more related to fluid and sodium levels.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Environmental stress is not the correct answer. Environmental stress is caused by external factors that are beyond the person's control, such as noise, pollution, weather, or natural disasters. These factors can affect the person's physical and mental health, but they are not related to the person's specific situation or event.
Choice B reason: Situational stress is the correct answer. Situational stress is caused by a particular situation or event that the person faces, such as a test, a job interview, a conflict, or a loss. These situations or events can create pressure, uncertainty, or anxiety for the person, and they may require the person to adapt or cope with the change or challenge.
Choice C reason: Daily Hassle stress is not the correct answer. Daily Hassle stress is caused by the minor annoyances or frustrations that the person encounters in their everyday life, such as traffic, deadlines, bills, or household chores. These hassles can accumulate and affect the person's mood, health, or well-being, but they are not related to the person's specific situation or event.
Choice D reason: Episodic stress is not the correct answer. Episodic stress is caused by frequent or chronic exposure to stressful situations or events, such as work overload, financial problems, or family issues. These situations or events can create a constant state of worry, agitation, or distress for the person, and they may affect the person's physical and mental health. Episodic stress is not a type of stress, but rather a result of experiencing too much stress over a long period of time.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Assessment is the first and most important phase of the nursing process, as it involves collecting and analyzing data about the patient's health status, needs, and preferences. The nurse should have assessed the patient's blood pressure before administering the antihypertensive medication, as it could have been contraindicated or required a dosage adjustment. By failing to do so, the nurse put the patient at risk of hypotension and its complications.
Choice B reason: Planning is the second phase of the nursing process, in which the nurse sets goals and outcomes for the patient's care and selects appropriate interventions. The nurse did not make an error in this phase, as the administration of the antihypertensive medication was part of the plan of care for the patient with hypertension.
Choice C reason: Diagnosis is the third phase of the nursing process, in which the nurse identifies the patient's actual or potential health problems based on the assessment data. The nurse did not make an error in this phase, as the diagnosis of hypertension was accurate and supported by the patient's history and vital signs.
Choice D reason: Evaluation is the fourth and final phase of the nursing process, in which the nurse measures the patient's progress and outcomes and modifies the plan of care as needed. The nurse did not make an error in this phase, as the re-checking of the blood pressure and the recognition of the patient's symptoms were part of the evaluation process. However, the nurse should have also notified the provider and implemented interventions to treat the hypotension.
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