The nurse working on a medical surgical unit is assigned four clients at the start of their shift. What client should be given the highest priority?

A 47-year-old client who reports two loose stools with a serum sodium of 139 mmol/L

A 71-year-old client with a calcium level of 8.9 mg/dL and a negative Trousseau sign

A 52-year-old client with fluid volume excess and BUN of 18 mg/dL

A 60-year-old client with a serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L and heart palpitations

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. A 47-year-old client who reports two loose stools with a serum sodium of 139 mmol/L: Although diarrhea can lead to electrolyte imbalances, a serum sodium level of 139 mmol/L is within normal range, so this client is not the highest priority.
B. A 71-year-old client with a calcium level of 8.9 mg/dL and a negative Trousseau sign: A calcium level of 8.9 mg/dL is slightly low but not critically low, especially with a negative Trousseau sign. This client is stable compared to others.
C. A 52-year-old client with fluid volume excess and BUN of 18 mg/dL: A BUN of 18 mg/dL indicates mild elevation, and fluid volume excess can be managed with adjustments in treatment; this client does not require immediate priority.
D. A 60-year-old client with a serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L and heart palpitations: A potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which can cause serious cardiac issues and symptoms like palpitations. This client requires urgent attention to address the potential risk of cardiac complications.

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 D

Explanation

A. Level of consciousness: While important, it follows the assessment of vital signs to ensure the client's overall stability.
B. Condition of drains: This is relevant but not as immediate as assessing the stability of vital signs.
C. Appearance of the surgical dressing: This is important but secondary to ensuring the client’s vital signs are stable.
D. Stability of vital signs: This is the most critical next assessment after ensuring a patent airway, as vital signs reflect the client's immediate physiological status and stability.

A. Start an IV of DSNS with 40 mEq KCI at 125 mL/hr B. Elevate the feet and lower the head C. Call the surgeon and report the vital signs D. Monitor the vital signs every 15 minutes

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Start an IV of DSNS with 40 mEq KCI at 125 mL/hr: Starting an IV is important but may not be the immediate first step. The client's symptoms suggest hypotension, likely due to hypovolemia, which needs immediate positional intervention before fluid administration.
B. Elevate the feet and lower the head: This position, known as the Trendelenburg position, helps increase venous return to the heart and can quickly improve blood pressure and perfusion to vital organs. It is an immediate intervention for hypotension.
C. Call the surgeon and report the vital signs: While important, calling the surgeon is not the first intervention. Immediate action to stabilize the client's condition is necessary before notifying the healthcare provider.
D. Monitor the vital signs every 15 minutes: Monitoring is important, but it is not an immediate intervention. The nurse must first address the client's low blood pressure and symptoms of hypoperfusion before continuing regular monitoring.

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 working on a medical surgical unit is assigned four clients at the start of their shift. What client should be given the highest priority?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

After ensuring a postoperative client has a patent airway, what is the next most important nursing assessment?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is assessing a client in the post-anesthesia care unit. The client's vital signs are T 98°F, P 106, R 24, and BP 88/40. The client is awake and oriented x 3 and the skin is pale and damp. The client denies complaints of pain. What intervention should the nurse implement first?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client with dry skin and mucous membranes is weak, has orthostatic blood pressure changes, and has decreased urine output. The serum osmolality is 290 mOsm/kg. What IV fluid should the nurse anticipate being prescribed for this client?

The client is NPO and is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) via a peripherally inserted central catheter. Which precautions should the nurse implement? (Select All That Apply)

The client has received IV solution for three (3) days through a 20-gauge IV catheter placed in the left hand. On morning rounds, the nurse notes the IV site is tender to palpation and a red streak has formed. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

The nurse is educating a group of student nurses about the different types of anesthesia. The student demonstrates an understanding of the teaching when they state that a client would maintain a gag reflex with what anesthesia?

The nurse is providing teaching to the client about the use of vitamins and supplements. The nurse would state that vitamin D has a major role in which process?

A student nurse is working with their preceptor on a medical-surgical unit. While reviewing concepts related to acid-base balance, what should the preceptor state is a compensatory mechanism for metabolic alkalosis?

Which of the following assessment findings should alert the nurse that a client's IV has infiltrated? (Select All That Apply)