A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values of a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN): glucose 72 mg/dL, chloride 100 mEq/L sodium 138 mEq/L, and potassium 3.0 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
Check the client for a positive Chvostek’s sign
Discontinue the TPN infusion.
Request a potassium replace
Administer glucagon IM
The Correct Answer is C
A. Check the client for a positive Chvostek’s sign:
Chvostek's sign is a clinical sign of hypocalcemia, not related to the given laboratory values. The symptoms include facial muscle twitching when the facial nerve (VII) is tapped. There's no indication for this assessment based on the provided information.
B. Discontinue the TPN infusion:
The glucose level is within the normal range (70-99 mg/dL). Discontinuing TPN based solely on this glucose level is not warranted.
C. Request a potassium replacement:
The potassium level is low (normal range typically 3.5-5.0 mEq/L). Given the low potassium level, the nurse should plan to request a potassium replacement. Potassium is crucial for various physiological functions, and a deficiency can lead to significant complications.
D. Administer glucagon IM:
Glucagon is used to treat hypoglycemia, but the client's glucose level is within the normal range, so administering glucagon is not indicated.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "I will take the medication for diarrhea."
This statement is incorrect. Docusate sodium is not used to treat diarrhea; it is a stool softener used to relieve constipation.
B. "I will have soft stools 1 to 3 days after starting this medication."
This statement indicates that the client understands the purpose of docusate sodium, which is a stool softener used to prevent constipation and to soften stool. It typically takes 1 to 3 days for the medication to produce the desired effect of softer stools.
C. "I will drink one half glass of water when I take the medication."
This statement is partially correct. Taking docusate sodium with a full glass of water is recommended, not half a glass, to ensure that the medication is properly absorbed and to prevent throat irritation.
D. "I can take this medication with mineral oil."
This statement is incorrect. Docusate sodium should not be taken with mineral oil because it can increase the absorption of mineral oil, leading to systemic effects.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Bradycardia
Bradycardia is not a direct symptom of gastrointestinal perforation. When a perforation occurs, the body's response is often to increase the heart rate (tachycardia) due to the stress and shock.
B. Report of epigastric fullness
Epigastric fullness might be a symptom of peptic ulcer disease but is not specific to gastrointestinal perforation.
C. Severe upper abdominal pain
Correct choice. Severe upper abdominal pain, particularly sudden and intense pain, can be indicative of gastrointestinal perforation. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.
D. Hyperactive bowel sounds
Gastrointestinal perforation can lead to absent or hypoactive bowel sounds due to inflammation and irritation of the abdominal cavity, not hyperactive bowel sounds.
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