A nurse is caring for patients with electrolyte imbalances on a medical-surgical unit. Which common causes are correctly paired with the corresponding electrolyte imbalance?
Hyponatremia - Dehydration
Hypomagnesemia - Chronic alcoholism
Hyperkalemia - Kidney failure
Correct Answer : B,C
Choice A: Hyponatremia - Dehydration
Hyponatremia occurs when the sodium levels in the blood are abnormally low. While dehydration can contribute to hyponatremia, it is not the most common cause. Hyponatremia is more frequently caused by conditions that lead to an excess of water in the body, diluting the sodium levels. These conditions include heart failure, kidney disease, and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).
Choice B: Hypomagnesemia - Chronic alcoholism
This is a correct pairing. Hypomagnesemia, or low magnesium levels in the blood, is often associated with chronic alcoholism. Alcoholism can lead to poor dietary intake of magnesium, increased urinary excretion of magnesium, and gastrointestinal losses due to vomiting and diarrhea. These factors contribute to the development of hypomagnesemia in individuals with chronic alcoholism.
Choice C: Hyperkalemia - Kidney failure
This is also a correct pairing. Hyperkalemia, or high potassium levels in the blood, is commonly caused by kidney failure. The kidneys are responsible for excreting excess potassium from the body. When the kidneys are not functioning properly, they cannot remove potassium efficiently, leading to its accumulation in the blood. Other causes of hyperkalemia include certain medications, such as potassium-sparing diuretics, and conditions that cause cellular breakdown, such as rhabdomyolysis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is True
Explanation
Choice A: True
Neutropenia, characterized by a low count of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell), significantly increases a patient’s risk for life-threatening infections and sepsis. Neutrophils play a crucial role in the immune system by fighting off infections. When their levels are low, the body becomes more susceptible to infections, which can quickly escalate to sepsis if not promptly treated. Neutropenic sepsis is a severe and potentially fatal condition that requires immediate medical intervention. Patients undergoing treatments like chemotherapy are particularly at risk due to their compromised immune systems.
Choice B: False
The statement that neutropenia does not increase the risk for life-threatening infection and sepsis is incorrect. Neutropenia is well-documented as a major risk factor for severe infections and sepsis. Without adequate neutrophils, the body’s ability to combat pathogens is severely impaired, leading to a higher likelihood of infections that can become systemic and life-threatening. Therefore, it is critical to monitor and manage neutropenic patients closely to prevent and treat infections promptly.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","E","F"]
Explanation
Choice A: All materials that enter the sterile field must be sterile
This is a correct principle of aseptic technique. Ensuring that all materials entering the sterile field are sterile is fundamental to preventing contamination and infection during surgical procedures. Any non-sterile item introduced into the sterile field can introduce pathogens, compromising patient safety.
Choice B: The surgical team working in the operative field must wear sterile gowns and gloves
This is another correct principle. Members of the surgical team who work directly in the operative field must wear sterile gowns and gloves to create a barrier against microorganisms. This practice helps maintain the sterility of the surgical environment and protects both the patient and the healthcare providers.
Choice C: The sterile package is contaminated once it has been opened
This statement is incorrect. A sterile package is not necessarily contaminated once it has been opened, provided it is opened correctly and the contents are handled using aseptic techniques. Proper opening and handling ensure that the sterility of the contents is maintained.
Choice D: The circulating nurse must wear sterile gowns and gloves
This statement is incorrect. The circulating nurse does not need to wear sterile gowns and gloves because they do not work directly in the sterile field. Instead, they assist by providing necessary supplies and support from outside the sterile area.
Choice E: Tables are sterile only at tabletop level. Items extending beneath this level are contaminated
This is a correct principle. In the operating room, the sterility of tables is maintained only at the tabletop level. Any items that extend below this level are considered contaminated and should not be used in the sterile field.
Choice F: A wide margin of safety is maintained between sterile and unsterile fields
This is also a correct principle. Maintaining a wide margin of safety between sterile and unsterile fields helps prevent accidental contamination. This practice ensures that sterile areas remain uncontaminated by non-sterile items or personnel.
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