The nurse is using Chvostek sign to assess for hypocalcemia. Which statement correctly describes this test?
Tap the face just below and in front of the ear.
Inflate a blood pressure cuff around the upper arm for 4 minutes.
Apply pressure over the ulnar and radial arteries.
Forcefully dorsiflex the ankle when the knee is in an extended position.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Tap the face just below and in front of the ear: This is the correct technique for eliciting Chvostek’s sign, which involves tapping over the facial nerve. A positive sign (twitching of facial muscles) indicates hypocalcemia.
B. Inflate a blood pressure cuff around the upper arm for 4 minutes: This describes Trousseau’s sign, another test for hypocalcemia, where carpopedal spasm occurs due to ischemia.
C. Apply pressure over the ulnar and radial arteries: This describes Allen’s test, used to assess arterial blood flow, not calcium levels.
D. Forcefully dorsiflex the ankle when the knee is in an extended position: This describes Homan’s sign, which is used to assess for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), not hypocalcemia.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Cardiac dysrhythmias: Hypokalemia impairs cardiac muscle function, potentially leading to arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or premature ventricular contractions.
B. Hypoglycemia: Potassium does not directly cause hypoglycemia; its imbalance more commonly affects cardiac and neuromuscular function.
C. Hyperreflexia: Hypokalemia usually causes muscle weakness and diminished reflexes (hyporeflexia), not hyperreflexia.
D. Increased appetite: Hypokalemia does not typically affect appetite.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Dextrose 10% in water: Dextrose solutions provide calories but do not restore volume or replace electrolytes. They are not typically used in hypovolemic shock.
B. Lactated Ringer's: Lactated Ringer’s solution is an isotonic solution containing sodium, potassium, calcium, and lactate, which helps restore both fluid volume and electrolytes in the case of hypovolemic shock. It is commonly used while awaiting blood transfusions.
C. 0.33% sodium chloride: This is a hypotonic solution that can cause fluid to shift into cells and is not appropriate for fluid resuscitation in hypovolemia, which requires an isotonic solution.
D. 0.45% sodium chloride: This is a hypotonic solution as well, and it could worsen hypotension by causing fluid shifts into the cells, which is not ideal for treating hypovolemic shock.
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