A nurse is caring for a client who has a serum calcium level of 14 mg/dL (Normal 9.0-10.5 mg/dL). Which provider order should the nurse implement first?

Encourage oral fluid intake.

Connect the client to a cardiac monitor.

Assess urinary output.

Administer oral calcitonin (Calcimar).

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Encourage oral fluid intake: While hydration can be important for managing hypercalcemia, it is not the first priority in this scenario. A serum calcium level of 14 mg/dL is significantly elevated, and the immediate concern is the potential effect of high calcium levels on the heart and other systems.

B. Connect the client to a cardiac monitor: Elevated calcium levels (hypercalcemia) can lead to serious cardiac complications, including arrhythmias. The immediate priority is to monitor the heart's rhythm to detect any changes or disturbances caused by the high calcium level.

C. Assess urinary output: Although monitoring urinary output is important for assessing kidney function, it is not the first action to take in response to a critically high calcium level. The immediate concern is cardiac function and the potential for life-threatening arrhythmias.

D. Administer oral calcitonin (Calcimar): The first action should be to monitor the cardiac status due to the high risk of arrhythmias associated with hypercalcemia. Other interventions, such as administering calcitonin or IV fluids, can follow once the patient’s cardiac status is stabilized.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Elevated serum calcium and potassium levels: Hypomagnesemia typically causes decreased calcium levels, not elevated. Additionally, while magnesium helps maintain potassium levels, hypomagnesemia can lead to a drop in potassium, not an elevation.

B. Decreased serum calcium and potassium levels: Hypomagnesemia often leads to low calcium levels due to decreased parathyroid hormone secretion and can cause hypokalemia due to impaired potassium uptake in the kidneys.

C. Impaired acid-base balance: Hypomagnesemia itself does not cause significant acid-base imbalance. It’s more likely to cause electrolyte disturbances especially calcium and potassium, which can lead to arrhythmias, acid-base imbalance is not the primary concern.

D. Bradycardia and cardiac dysrhythmias: While hypomagnesemia can indeed cause cardiac dysrhythmias, a common manifestation is tachycardia rapid heart rate and certain types of arrhythmias like Torsades de Pointes, rather than bradycardia.

A. "Weigh yourself every morning and every night." B. "Check your radial pulse twice a day." C. "Read food labels to determine sodium content." D. "Bake or grill the meat rather than frying it."

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. "Weigh yourself every morning and every night.": While weight monitoring is important in conditions like fluid retention, hypernatremia is related to sodium levels, not fluid retention. The nurse should focus more on sodium intake than daily weight checks.

B. "Check your radial pulse twice a day.": Checking the radial pulse might be helpful for monitoring heart rate or signs of dehydration, but it does not directly address the management of hypernatremia. Focusing on sodium intake is more relevant.

C. "Read food labels to determine sodium content.": Sodium intake is a key factor in managing hypernatremia. Teaching the client to read food labels will help them identify foods high in sodium, which is critical to controlling their sodium levels and preventing worsening hypernatremia.

D. "Bake or grill the meat rather than frying it.": While baking or grilling meat is a healthier cooking method, it does not address the management of hypernatremia. Reducing sodium intake through food choices is more directly related to managing this condition.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is caring for a client who has a serum calcium level of 14 mg/dL (Normal 9.0-10.5 mg/dL). Which provider order should the nurse implement first?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse teaches a client who is at risk for mild hypernatremia. Which statement should the nurse include in this client's teaching?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

What causes respiratory acidosis?

A nurse is observing an older adult client who is receiving packed RBC's. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of fluid volume excess and report to the charge nurse? (Select all that apply)

An emergency department nurse admits a client who has tried to commit suicide by taking an overdose of oxycodone (OxyContin). For which acid-base imbalance should the nurse assess this client?

Four patients arrive at the emergency department at the same time. Which patient will the nurse see first?

A nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and documents that the client is experiencing Kussmaul's respirations. Based on this documentation, which of the following did the nurse most likely observe?

The nurse is caring for a client with a critically high potassium level (Normal is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L). The client has received sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate). The nurse determines the medication's effectiveness if the client's repeat serum potassium level is:

A nurse assesses a client who is prescribed a medication that inhibits angiotensin I from converting into angiotensin II (angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor). For which expected therapeutic effect should the nurse assess?

A patient has dehydration. While planning care, the nurse considers that the majority of the patient's total water volume exists in which compartment?