A patient is being admitted to the floor following a motor vehicle accident. because of the stressful nature of the event, the nurse anticipates the patient will continue to have a sympathetic reaction during the post operative period. When monitoring the patient's serum electrolytes, what will the nurse closely monitor?
Increased calcium
Deceased sodium
Decreased potassium
Increased chloride
The Correct Answer is C
A) Increased calcium: Sympathetic activation typically does not cause a direct increase in calcium levels. Calcium levels are more influenced by factors like parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D, or conditions such as bone disease or renal issues. Although some stress responses can lead to changes in calcium metabolism, an increase in calcium is not a typical response to sympathetic activation.
B) Decreased sodium: While sodium imbalances can occur in various conditions, the sympathetic nervous system does not directly cause a decrease in sodium. The body's handling of sodium is more influenced by factors like kidney function and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Stress-related changes in sodium levels are less likely to cause a significant decrease in sodium, making this an unlikely focus in monitoring.
C) Decreased potassium: During stress, the body releases catecholamines (like epinephrine) as part of the sympathetic nervous response, which stimulates the movement of potassium into cells. This can result in a transient decrease in serum potassium levels (hypokalemia). Monitoring for decreased potassium is important, as low potassium can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness, which are particularly concerning after surgery or trauma.
D) Increased chloride: Chloride is typically maintained in balance with sodium, and while it may shift in certain conditions, sympathetic activation does not directly lead to increased chloride levels. Most chloride imbalances are secondary to changes in sodium, acid-base disturbances, or kidney function. Therefore, an increase in chloride is less likely in this scenario.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) A patient with hypotension:
Patients with hypotension may have reduced blood flow to organs, which could potentially decrease the absorption and effectiveness of many medications, including opioids. As a result, the need for a higher dose is not typical. Instead, careful dosing and monitoring are required to avoid further lowering blood pressure, which could lead to more complications.
B) A patient with a concussion:
Concussions affect the brain and can lead to symptoms like dizziness, confusion, or nausea, which may alter how medications are metabolized or tolerated. However, a concussion does not typically require higher opioid doses. In fact, opioids should be used cautiously in such patients due to the risk of exacerbating neurological symptoms or respiratory depression.
C) A patient 3 days after surgery:
Patients recovering from surgery may require pain management, but the opioid dose typically adjusts based on their pain levels and recovery stage. While some patients may still need opioids for pain control, they may not require higher-than-expected doses. Over time, doses are often tapered as healing progresses, and pain lessens.
D) A patient with cancer:
Cancer patients, particularly those with advanced stages or chronic pain, may develop increased opioid tolerance. This means that over time, they may require higher doses to achieve the same level of pain relief. This phenomenon is known as "opioid tolerance," where the body becomes less responsive to the drug, necessitating dose adjustments.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) It decreases the activity of norepinephrine receptor sites: Cholinergic agonists specifically act on acetylcholine receptors, not norepinephrine receptors. Norepinephrine is associated with the sympathetic nervous system and its receptors (alpha and beta), whereas cholinergic agonists affect the parasympathetic system through acetylcholine receptors.
B) It increases the activity of acetylcholine receptor sites: This is the correct answer. Cholinergic agonists work by stimulating acetylcholine receptors (both muscarinic and nicotinic), thereby enhancing the action of acetylcholine. This can lead to various effects such as decreased heart rate, increased digestion, and muscle contraction, as part of the parasympathetic nervous system response.
C) It decreases the activity of GABA receptor sites: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that acts on GABA receptors, not acetylcholine receptors. Cholinergic agonists have no direct effect on GABA receptor activity.
D) It increases the activity of dopamine receptor sites: Dopamine is a neurotransmitter primarily involved in the reward system, motor control, and mood regulation. Cholinergic agonists do not directly affect dopamine receptors. Instead, they target acetylcholine receptors, which are part of the parasympathetic nervous system.
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