The nurse notes that a client with acute pancreatitis occasionally experiences muscle twitching and jerking. How should the nurse interpret the relevance of these symptoms?

The client needs a muscle relaxant.

The client has a nutritional imbalance.

The client is experiencing a reaction to morphine.

The client may be developing hypocalcemia.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason: Administering a muscle relaxant addresses the symptom of muscle twitching and jerking, but it does not identify or treat the underlying cause. For patients with acute pancreatitis, muscle twitching and jerking could be indicative of a more serious condition.

Choice B reason: While a nutritional imbalance could potentially lead to symptoms like muscle twitching and jerking, in the context of acute pancreatitis, the nurse should consider more specific causes related to the condition. Nutritional imbalances do not usually explain these symptoms in patients with pancreatitis as well as hypocalcemia does.

Choice C reason: A reaction to morphine could include various symptoms such as itching, nausea, or constipation, but muscle twitching and jerking are not common side effects. The nurse should consider other causes related to the patient's condition of acute pancreatitis.

Choice D reason: Hypocalcemia, or low calcium levels, is a common complication of acute pancreatitis. It can lead to symptoms such as muscle twitching and jerking, as calcium is crucial for proper muscle function and nerve signaling. This makes hypocalcemia the most relevant and accurate interpretation of the patient's symptoms in this context.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Avoiding straining while having a bowel movement is important for patients with a low heart rate. Straining can stimulate the vagus nerve, which can lead to further bradycardia (slowing of the heart rate). By avoiding straining, patients can prevent additional vagal stimulation and help maintain a stable heart rate.

Choice B reason: Limiting the intake of caffeinated drinks to one a day is not directly related to avoiding further slowing of the heart rate. While excessive caffeine can have effects on heart rhythm and overall cardiovascular health, moderate caffeine intake is not typically associated with a significant risk of bradycardia.

Choice C reason: Ensuring that bath water is warm is not directly related to preventing further slowing of the heart rate. While warm water can promote relaxation and comfort, it does not have a direct impact on heart rate management for individuals with bradycardia.

Choice D reason: Modifying strenuous exercise such as running is a good general recommendation for individuals with heart conditions, but it is not specifically targeted at preventing further bradycardia. Exercise modification is more relevant for managing overall cardiovascular health and preventing tachycardia (increased heart rate).

A. "When the antibiotic therapy is complete." B. "As soon as his albumin levels return to normal." C. "Once we complete the fluid resuscitation process." D. "When all of his burn wounds have closed."

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Completion of antibiotic therapy does not necessarily correlate with a decrease in the risk of infection in burn patients. While antibiotics can help manage existing infections, the risk for new infections remains until the burn wounds are fully healed. Open burn wounds provide a portal of entry for pathogens, and the presence of necrotic tissue can further increase infection risk.

Choice B reason: Returning albumin levels to normal can improve the overall nutritional status and healing process of a burn patient, but it does not directly reduce the risk of infection. Albumin levels are more indicative of the patient's nutritional status and fluid balance. The primary concern for infection risk remains the open burn wounds, which serve as a direct route for pathogens.

Choice C reason: Completion of the fluid resuscitation process is crucial for stabilizing a burn patient's hemodynamic status and ensuring adequate perfusion to tissues. However, fluid resuscitation does not directly impact the risk of infection. The risk of infection is predominantly related to the presence and extent of open burn wounds.

Choice D reason: The correct response is that the risk for infection significantly decreases when all of the burn wounds have closed. Closed wounds provide a barrier against pathogens and reduce the risk of infection. Wound closure can be achieved through natural healing or surgical interventions such as skin grafting. Until the wounds are fully closed, the patient remains at a high risk for infection.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

The nurse notes that a client with acute pancreatitis occasionally experiences muscle twitching and jerking. How should the nurse interpret the relevance of these symptoms?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse cares for a patient who has a heart rate averaging 54 beats/min with no adverse symptoms. Which activity modification would the nurse suggest to avoid further slowing of the heart rate?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse cares for a patient who has burn injuries. The patient's wife asks, "When will his high risk for infection decrease?" How would the nurse respond?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A patient with a spinal cord lesion at T4 tells the nurse that he has a headache and feels flushed. The blood pressure is significantly elevated to 190/100. The first action by the nurse is to:

To improve the oxygenation of a client with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who is receiving mechanical ventilation, the nurse should place the client in which position?

To prevent the most common serious complication of peritoneal dialysis, it is important for the nurse to:

A 76-year-old patient is 2 days post-op total hip replacement. The patient puts his call light on to complain of difficulty catching his breath. As the nurse assesses the patient, she finds the patient tachypneic, tachycardic, and very anxious. The nurse determines these are most likely signs of:

A 35-year-old patient arrives at the Emergency Department in acute respiratory failure. What assessment information does the nurse prioritize as needing immediate action?

A nurse is caring for a client who reports a new onset of severe chest pain. Which of the following cues should the nurse assess to determine if the client is experiencing a myocardial infarction? Pick 2 answers.

A patient with late-stage cirrhosis develops portal hypertension. All of the following are potential complications that can develop from this condition. Select all that apply.