A nurse is teaching a client who is on a low-sodium diet. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
Limit intake of canned soups.
Choose botled salad dressings.
Choose diet sodas over botled water.
Replace processed meats with fresh meat products.
Read labels on foods before eating.
Correct Answer : A,D,E
Choice A: Limit intake of canned soups is correct because canned soups are high in sodium and can increase blood
pressure and fluid retention. The nurse should advise the client to choose low-sodium or homemade soups instead.
Choice B: Choose botled salad dressings is incorrect because botled salad dressings are also high in sodium and can have added sugars and fats. The nurse should advise the client to make their own salad dressings with vinegar, oil, herbs, and spices.
Choice C: Choose diet sodas over botled water is incorrect because diet sodas are not a healthy alternative to water. Diet sodas contain artificial sweeteners, caffeine, and phosphoric acid, which can affect the body's pH balance and calcium absorption. The nurse should advise the client to drink plain water or flavored water with natural ingredients.
Choice D: Replace processed meats with fresh meat products is correct because processed meats such as bacon, ham, sausage, and hot dogs are high in sodium and preservatives. The nurse should advise the client to choose fresh meat products such as chicken, turkey, fish, or lean beef.
Choice E: Read labels on foods before eating is correct because reading labels can help the client identify the sodium content and other ingredients in foods. The nurse should advise the client to look for foods that have less than 140 mg of sodium per serving and avoid foods that have salt, sodium, or monosodium glutamate (MSG) in the ingredient list.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A: Contraction of the facial muscle is correct. This is a sign of **Chvostek's sign**, which is a positive indicator of hypocalcemia. Chvostek's sign is elicited by tapping the facial nerve in front of the ear and observing for twitching of the facial muscles.
Choice B: Asked when the foot numbness would go away is correct. This is a sign of **paresthesia**, which is a sensation of numbness, tingling, or prickling in the extremities. Paresthesia is caused by decreased nerve function due to low calcium levels.
Choice C: Carpal spasm with blood pressure measurement is correct. This is a sign of **Trousseau's sign**, which is another positive indicator of hypocalcemia. Trousseau's sign is elicited by inflating a blood pressure cuff above the systolic pressure for 3 minutes and observing for carpal spasm.
Choice D: Complaints of fingers tingling is correct. This is another sign of paresthesia, as explained in choice B.
Choice E: Heart rate 88 and regular is incorrect. This is not a sign of hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia can cause cardiac arrhythmias, such as prolonged QT interval, ventricular tachycardia, or cardiac arrest. A normal heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A: Kussmaul respirations are a sign of metabolic acidosis, which is a condition that occurs when the body produces too much acid or loses too much bicarbonate. This can happen in patients with diabetes mellitus who develop diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious complication that results from insufficient insulin and high blood glucose levels. Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid, and labored breathing that helps to eliminate excess carbon dioxide and acid from the blood.
Choice B: Cold, clammy skin is not a sign of metabolic acidosis, but rather of hypoglycemia, which is a condition that occurs when the blood glucose level is too low. This can happen in patients with diabetes mellitus who take too much insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents, skip meals, or exercise excessively. Cold, clammy skin is caused by vasoconstriction and sweating that occur as the body tries to increase blood glucose levels.
Choice C: Dysrhythmias are a sign of metabolic acidosis, because acidosis affects the electrical activity of the heart and can cause irregular heartbeats. Dysrhythmias can also result from electrolyte imbalances, such as hyperkalemia, which is a condition that occurs when the blood potassium level is too high. This can happen in patients with metabolic acidosis who have impaired renal function and cannot excrete excess potassium.
Choice D: Tachycardia is a sign of metabolic acidosis, because acidosis stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and increases the heart rate. Tachycardia can also result from dehydration, which is a common complication of DKA due to excessive fluid loss from vomiting, diarrhea, and polyuria.
Choice E: Weakness is a sign of metabolic acidosis because acidosis reduces the availability of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and muscles. Weakness can also result from hypovolemia, which is a condition that occurs when the blood volume is too low. This can happen in patients with metabolic acidosis who have severe fluid loss and hypotension.

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