A nurse is assessing a client who has hypocalcemia. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?
Muscle twitching
Bounding pulse
Hypertension
Decreased bowel sounds
The Correct Answer is A
A) Muscle twitching:
Muscle twitching, also known as tetany, is a common manifestation of hypocalcemia. Low calcium levels increase neuromuscular excitability, leading to symptoms such as muscle cramps, spasms, and twitching. This is a key clinical sign that helps in diagnosing hypocalcemia.
B) Bounding pulse:
A bounding pulse is not typically associated with hypocalcemia. Instead, it is more often seen in conditions such as fluid overload or hyperdynamic circulatory states, where there is increased cardiac output or vascular volume.
C) Hypertension:
Hypertension is not a common manifestation of hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia is more likely to cause hypotension due to its effect on cardiac contractility and vascular tone, rather than causing high blood pressure.
D) Decreased bowel sounds:
Decreased bowel sounds are not commonly associated with hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia affects neuromuscular function, but it typically causes increased gastrointestinal motility rather than decreased motility, which would lead to hyperactive bowel sounds rather than decreased ones.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) "Tilt the spirometer toward yourself so you can see the balls rise": Tilting the spirometer is not necessary and may affect its accuracy. The spirometer should be held in an upright position to ensure correct measurement of inhalation.
B) "Inhale deeply and hold each breath for a minimum of 10 seconds": Inhaling deeply is important, but holding each breath for 10 seconds is not a typical recommendation for using an incentive spirometer. The goal is to inhale deeply and slowly, without necessarily holding the breath for an extended period.
C) "Exhale before sealing your lips around the mouthpiece": Exhaling before using the spirometer is not recommended. The correct procedure involves inhaling deeply and slowly after sealing your lips around the mouthpiece to ensure accurate measurement and effective lung expansion.
D) "Use your incentive spirometer every 4 hours while you are awake": Frequent use of the incentive spirometer, often every hour while awake, is recommended to improve lung function and prevent complications such as atelectasis. Using it every 4 hours may not be sufficient for effective respiratory therapy.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Hematocrit 37% is within the normal range for adults, indicating that the client’s red blood cell volume is adequate. While anemia can be a concern in clients with Crohn's disease, this value does not specifically indicate malnutrition.
B) Iron 160 mcg/dL is above the normal range (typically 50-170 mcg/dL). Elevated iron levels can result from supplementation or other factors, but it does not directly indicate malnutrition. Iron status alone is not a reliable marker for overall nutritional status.
C) Prealbumin 9 mg/dL is significantly below the normal range (15-36 mg/dL). Low prealbumin levels are a strong indicator of malnutrition because prealbumin has a short half-life and reflects recent changes in protein status and dietary intake. This result suggests the client has been experiencing inadequate nutritional intake or absorption.
D) C-reactive protein (CRP) 15 mg/L indicates inflammation, which is common during an exacerbation of Crohn's disease. While elevated CRP levels signal active inflammation, they do not specifically indicate malnutrition. CRP is more commonly used as a marker of inflammatory activity rather than nutritional status.
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