A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values of a client who is taking atorvastatin. Which of the following laboratory values indicates the treatment has been effective?
Urine specific gravity 1.020.
BUN 15 mg/dL.
LDL 120 mg/dL.
Blood glucose 90 mg/dL.
The Correct Answer is C
Atorvastatin is a medication that belongs to a group of drugs called statins. It is used to lower blood levels of “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL), to increase levels of “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL), and to lower triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood). The treatment has been effective if the LDL level is reduced, as high LDL levels can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. A normal range for LDL is less than 100 mg/dL.
Choice A is wrong because urine specific gravity is a measure of how concentrated the urine is, not how much cholesterol is in the blood. A normal range for urine specific gravity is 1.005 to 1.0304.
Choice B is wrong because BUN (blood urea nitrogen) is a measure of how well the kidneys are working, not how much cholesterol is in the blood. A normal range for BUN is 7 to 20 mg/dL.
Choice D is wrong because blood glucose is a measure of how much sugar is in the blood, not how much cholesterol is in the blood.
A normal range for blood glucose is 70 to 100 mg/dL.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Calcium gluconate is used to treat hypermagnesemia because it can help calm some symptoms such as impaired breathing, irregular heartbeat, and hypotension. Calcium also helps normalize the neuromuscular function that is affected by excess magnesium.
Choice B. Acetylcysteine is wrong because it is used to treat acetaminophen overdose and prevent kidney damage from contrast dye.
It has no role in treating hypermagnesemia.
Choice C. Flumazenil is wrong because it is used to reverse the effects of benzodiazepines, a class of sedative drugs.
It has no role in treating hypermagnesemia.
Choice D. Protamine sulfate is wrong because it is used to reverse the effects of heparin, an anticoagulant drug.
It has no role in treating hypermagnesemia.
Normal ranges for magnesium are 1.7 to 2.3 mg/dL or 0.7 to 1.1 mmol/L. Hypermagnesemia is defined as a magnesium level above 2.6 mg/dL or 1.5 mmol/L.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Hyponatremia is a condition where the sodium level in the blood is too low, which can cause confusion, lethargy, seizures, and coma. A hypertonic solution is a fluid that has a higher concentration of solutes than the blood, which can help raise the sodium level and reduce the brain swelling caused by hyponatremia. Therefore, improved cognition indicates that the treatment is effective.
Choice B. Cardiac arrhythmias absent.
Cardiac arrhythmias are not a common symptom of hyponatremia unless it is severe or rapid in onset.
Therefore, their absence does not necessarily indicate that the treatment is effective.
Choice C. Decreased vomiting.
Vomiting can be a cause or a consequence of hyponatremia, depending on the underlying condition.
Decreased vomiting may indicate that the patient is less nauseated, but it does not reflect the sodium level or the brain status.
Choice D. Absent Chvostek’s sign.
Chvostek’s sign is a facial twitching that occurs when tapping on the cheek, which indicates hypocalcemia (low calcium level).
It is not related to hyponatremia or hypertonic solution.
Normal ranges for sodium are 135 to 145 mEq/L and for calcium are 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL.
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