After an older client receives treatment for drug toxicity, the healthcare provider prescribes a 24-hour creatinine clearance test. Prior to starting the urine collection, the nurse notes that the client's serum creatinine is 0.3 mg/dL (22.9 μmol/L). Which action should the nurse implement?
Creatinine [Reference Range: 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL (44 to 97 μmol/L)]

Initiate the urine collection as prescribed.

Evaluate the client's serum BUN level.

Notify the healthcare provider of the results.

Assess the client for signs of hypokalemia.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale: Initiating the urine collection without reporting the low serum creatinine is inappropriate. A value of 0.3 mg/dL is below the reference range and may indicate significant muscle wasting or severe malnutrition.

Choice B rationale: Evaluating the BUN level provides information about hydration and renal perfusion, but it does not address the immediate clinical significance of an abnormally low creatinine level in an older adult client.

Choice C rationale: The nurse must notify the provider because a creatinine level of 0.3 mg/dL is abnormally low. In older adults, this often reflects low muscle mass, which significantly impacts how drug dosages are calculated.

Choice D rationale: Assessing for hypokalemia is not directly indicated by a low creatinine level. While electrolyte monitoring is important in drug toxicity, it is not the priority action linked to this specific lab finding.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Clients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease may experience impaired judgment and cognitive decline, which can increase their risk for injury. Arranging the client's environment in a way that allows them to move about freely helps promote their safety and reduces the risk of accidents or falls.

Engaging the client in regularly scheduled activities during the day is a beneficial intervention as it provides structure and stimulation for the client. However, it may not directly address the risk for injury related to impaired judgment.

Offering the client frequent reassurance that they will be safe is important to provide emotional support, but it may not be sufficient in preventing physical harm or addressing the specific nursing problem of risk for injury.

Assigning a UAP (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel) to provide the client with total personal care may be helpful in assisting with activities of daily living. However, it does not directly address the risk for injury related to impaired judgment, and the nurse should have a central role in coordinating and overseeing the client's care.

A. Call the pharmacy to obtain a client's next antibiotic dose. B. Observe a client's gait to determine the need for assistance. C. Bring a sterile chest drainage unit from central supply to the unit. D. Evaluate a client's urinary catheter for proper drainage.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. This task is beyond the scope of practice for a UAP. Calling the pharmacy to obtain medications requires clinical judgment and understanding of medication administration, which is the responsibility of licensed nursing personnel. B. This task requires assessment skills, which are beyond the scope of practice for a UAP. Determining a client's need for assistance with mobility requires clinical judgment. C. This task is appropriate to delegate to a UAP. It involves transporting an item from one location to another, which does not require clinical judgment or assessment. D. This task requires assessment skills and clinical judgment, which are beyond the scope of practice for a UAP. Evaluating a client's urinary catheter involves assessing for patency and signs of complications, which should be done by a licensed nurse.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

In planning care for a client with early stage Alzheimer's disease, the nurse establishes the nursing problem of risk for injury related to impaired judgment. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in this client's plan of care?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Which instruction should the nurse delegate to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client with persistent low back pain has received a prescription for an electronic stimulator (TENS) unit. After the nurse applies the electrodes and turns on the power, the client reports feeling a tingling sensation. How should the nurse respond?

The mother of a 2-day-old infant girl expresses concern about a "flea bite" type rash on her daughter's body. The nurse identifies a pink papular rash with vesicles superimposed over the thorax, back, buttocks, and abdomen. Which explanation should the nurse offer?

The healthcare provider prescribes dopamine 2 mcg/kg/min intravenously (IV) for client who weighs 60 kg. The IV bag contains dopamine 200 mg in dextrose 5% in water (DW) 250 mL. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hour? (Enter numerical value only.)

The nurse is triaging several children as they present to the emergency room after a school bus accident. Which child requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?

The nurse is caring for a client newly diagnosed with emphysema. The nurse should prioritize which potential complication?

A client with diabetes insipidus (DI) has an average urinary output of 500 ml. of dilute urine every hour for the last 4 hours. Which laboratory test is most important for the nurse to monitor?

A client tells the nurse about jogging every day with the hope of losing weight and sleeping better. The client states that it takes hours to fall asleep at night and is experiencing fatigue and sleepiness throughout the day. Which action should the nurse implement?

An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is assigned to a client with flu-like symptoms who has been placed on droplet precautions. The UAP requests a change in assignment, stating she has not yet been fitted for a particulate filter mask. Which action should the nurse take?