A client with Addison's disease comes to the clinic for a follow-up visit. When assessing this client, the nurse should stay alert for signs and symptoms of:
Sodium and potassium abnormalities
Calcium and phosphorus abnormalities
Sodium and chloride abnormalities
Chloride and magnesium abnormalities
The Correct Answer is A
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: Addison’s disease, due to adrenal insufficiency, reduces aldosterone and cortisol production, leading to sodium loss (hyponatremia) and potassium retention (hyperkalemia). These electrolyte abnormalities result from impaired renal sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion, making sodium and potassium monitoring critical for managing complications like hypotension and arrhythmias.
Choice B reason: Calcium and phosphorus abnormalities are not primary concerns in Addison’s disease. These electrolytes are more affected by parathyroid or renal disorders. Addison’s disease primarily disrupts sodium and potassium balance due to aldosterone deficiency, with calcium and phosphorus typically remaining within normal ranges unless other conditions coexist.
Choice C reason: Sodium abnormalities occur in Addison’s disease due to aldosterone deficiency, causing hyponatremia. However, chloride levels are not significantly altered, as chloride follows sodium passively. Potassium imbalances (hyperkalemia) are more critical alongside sodium, making this combination less comprehensive than sodium and potassium monitoring.
Choice D reason: Chloride and magnesium abnormalities are not hallmark features of Addison’s disease. While mild chloride changes may occur with sodium loss, magnesium is typically unaffected. The primary electrolyte disturbances involve sodium (hyponatremia) and potassium (hyperkalemia), making these the focus of monitoring in adrenal insufficiency.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: Palpating lymph nodes and tonsils is relevant for assessing infections or malignancies but is not a primary intervention for thrombocytopenia. Corticosteroids treat thrombocytopenia by suppressing autoimmune platelet destruction, and the focus is on bleeding prevention, not lymphoid assessment, which is secondary to managing low platelet counts.
Choice B reason: Eliminating aspirin and NSAIDs is critical in thrombocytopenia, as these drugs inhibit platelet function, increasing bleeding risk in patients with low platelet counts. Corticosteroids improve platelet production, but concurrent use of antiplatelet drugs could exacerbate bleeding tendencies, making their elimination a primary nursing intervention.
Choice C reason: Gradually tapering corticosteroids is important to prevent adrenal suppression but is not the primary intervention during initial therapy for thrombocytopenia. The immediate focus is on preventing bleeding complications due to low platelets, with tapering being a later consideration once platelet counts stabilize.
Choice D reason: Examining extremities for redness may detect infection or inflammation but is not the primary intervention for thrombocytopenia. Bleeding risk from low platelets is the main concern, and while redness could indicate complications, eliminating drugs that impair platelet function is more critical to prevent hemorrhage.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: Iron deficiency anemia is a risk post-gastric bypass due to reduced stomach acid and bypassed duodenum, impairing iron absorption. Pantoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, further reduces acid, exacerbating malabsorption. Fatigue results from low hemoglobin, as iron is essential for red blood cell production, matching the client’s profile.
Choice B reason: Aplastic anemia, caused by bone marrow failure, is not linked to gastric bypass or pantoprazole. It results from autoimmune, toxic, or idiopathic causes, leading to pancytopenia. The client’s surgical history and medication use point to malabsorption, not bone marrow suppression, ruling out this anemia.
Choice C reason: Sickle cell anemia is an inherited hemoglobinopathy, not related to gastric bypass or pantoprazole. It causes hemolytic anemia and vaso-occlusive crises, not malabsorption-related fatigue. The client’s surgical history suggests an acquired nutritional deficiency, making iron deficiency more likely than sickle cell disease.
Choice D reason: Pernicious anemia results from vitamin B12 deficiency, often due to lack of intrinsic factor, which may occur post-gastric bypass. However, pantoprazole primarily impairs iron absorption, and fatigue with this history points to iron deficiency, as B12 absorption is less affected in this scenario.
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