A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values for a client who takes spironolactone and notes that the client's serum potassium level is 6.8 mEq/L. The nurse notifies the provider and anticipates that the provider will provide which of the following instructions?

Have the laboratory draw a blood sample for an erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Obtain a 12-lead ECG

Administer potassium gluconate 40 mEq orally

Restrict fluid intake

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason : An erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test is not directly related to high serum potassium levels and would not be the immediate action in response to hyperkalemia.

Choice B reason : Obtaining a 12-lead ECG is a critical step when hyperkalemia is suspected because high potassium levels can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. An ECG can quickly reveal characteristic changes associated with hyperkalemia, allowing for prompt treatment.

Choice C reason : Administering potassium gluconate would be contraindicated in a patient with hyperkalemia, as it would further increase the serum potassium levels, potentially leading to severe complications.

Choice D reason : Restricting fluid intake is not a standard treatment for hyperkalemia. The management of hyperkalemia may include medications or procedures that promote the excretion of potassium or move potassium from the blood into the cells.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: The PR interval, which is the time from the onset of atrial depolarization (beginning of the P wave) to the onset of ventricular depolarization (beginning of the QRS complex), normally ranges from 0.12 to 0.20 seconds. A PR interval of 0.15 second is within the normal range and does not indicate an acute myocardial infarction.

Choice B reason: The QT interval represents the total time for ventricular depolarization and repolarization. The normal QT interval varies based on heart rate and gender but is typically less than half of the R-R interval in a normal heart rhythm. Therefore, a QT interval equal to the R-R interval is abnormally prolonged, which may suggest other conditions but is not a specific indicator of acute myocardial infarction.

Choice C reason: The QRS complex reflects ventricular depolarization and normally ranges from 0.06 to 0.10 seconds. A QRS interval of 0.08 second is within the normal range and does not suggest an acute myocardial infarction.

Choice D reason: ST segment elevation is a critical finding in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. The ST segment should be at the isoelectric line; elevation above this line is indicative of myocardial injury and is a key diagnostic criterion for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). An elevated ST segment is often seen in the early stages of an acute myocardial infarction and requires immediate medical attention.

A. S1 B. S2 C. S3 D. S4

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason : S1 represents the sound made by the closure of the atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid valves) and is not the sound associated with the closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves.

Choice B reason : S2 is the sound heard when the aortic and pulmonic valves close. It is often described as a "dub" and occurs at the end of ventricular systole.

Choice C reason : S3 is a rare extra heart sound that follows S2 and usually indicates an increase in left ventricular filling pressure, which can be found in conditions such as heart failure.

Choice D reason : S4 is another extra heart sound that occurs just before S1. It is typically associated with a stiff or hypertrophic ventricle and is not related to the closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves

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A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values for a client who takes spironolactone and notes that the client's serum potassium level is 6.8 mEq/L. The nurse notifies the provider and anticipates that the provider will provide which of the following instructions?

Nursing Test Bank

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