Which assessment on an older client with some degree of dehydration will the nurse perform to determine whether the client is safe for independent ambulation?
Assessing for furrows on the tongue to determine dryness of oral mucous membranes.
Comparing blood pressure measurements in the lying, sitting, and standing positions.
Ensuring that the most recent serum potassium level is above 3.5 mEq/L (mmol/L).
Ensuring that the pulse rate obtained radially is within 2 beats/min of that obtained apically.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Tongue furrows indicate dehydration but don’t assess ambulation safety, which requires hemodynamic stability. Orthostatic blood pressure changes are key, making this incorrect, as it’s less relevant than the nurse’s priority to evaluate fall risk in a dehydrated client.
Choice B reason: Comparing blood pressure in lying, sitting, and standing positions detects orthostatic hypotension, a fall risk in dehydrated older clients. This aligns with mobility safety assessment, making it the correct action to determine if the client is safe for independent ambulation.
Choice C reason: Serum potassium above 3.5 mEq/L ensures cardiac stability but doesn’t directly assess ambulation safety. Orthostatic changes are more relevant, making this incorrect, as it’s not the nurse’s primary focus for evaluating mobility in a dehydrated client.
Choice D reason: Radial and apical pulse consistency checks pacemaker function, not ambulation safety in dehydration. Blood pressure changes are critical, making this incorrect, as it’s unrelated to the nurse’s assessment of safe independent ambulation in the dehydrated older client.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Evaluating pain level requires RN judgment, though assisting with ambulation is within the LPN’s scope. Medication administration is fully delegable, making this incorrect, as it includes an assessment task beyond the LPN’s role in post-operative care.
Choice B reason: Administering prescribed medication and monitoring for side effects is within the LPN’s scope, ensuring safe delegation. This aligns with post-operative care protocols, making it the correct task the nurse can safely delegate to the LPN for the knee replacement patient.
Choice C reason: A full head-to-toe assessment and identifying complications require RN expertise, exceeding LPN scope. Medication administration is appropriate, making this incorrect, as it’s an improper delegation for the nurse to assign to the LPN post-surgery.
Choice D reason: Educating on discharge instructions involves teaching and evaluation, an RN responsibility. Administering medication is within LPN scope, making this incorrect, as it’s not a safe task for the nurse to delegate to the LPN for the patient.
Correct Answer is ["A","F"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Sodium of 130 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia, likely from vomiting-induced sodium loss. This aligns with the child’s electrolyte profile and symptoms, making it a correct imbalance the nurse would identify as most likely based on the lab values and clinical presentation.
Choice B reason: Calcium of 9.5 mg/dL is normal, not indicating hypocalcemia. Hyponatremia and metabolic alkalosis match the labs (sodium 130, HCO3 30), making this incorrect, as it does not reflect the child’s electrolyte imbalances from vomiting and irregular pulse.
Choice C reason: Potassium of 3.3 mEq/L is low, not high, ruling out hyperkalemia. Hyponatremia and metabolic alkalosis fit the labs and vomiting history, making this incorrect, as it contradicts the child’s potassium level in the nurse’s assessment of imbalances.
Choice D reason: Potassium of 3.3 mEq/L suggests mild hypokalemia, but hyponatremia (sodium 130) is more prominent with vomiting. Metabolic alkalosis is also evident, making this partially correct but incorrect as the primary imbalance compared to hyponatremia in the child’s profile.
Choice E reason: HCO3 of 30 mEq/L indicates alkalosis, not acidosis, due to vomiting-induced hydrogen ion loss. Hyponatremia and metabolic alkalosis are correct, making this incorrect, as it contradicts the child’s alkalotic state in the nurse’s evaluation of lab values.
Choice F reason: HCO3 of 30 mEq/L indicates metabolic alkalosis, common with vomiting due to loss of acidic gastric contents. This, with hyponatremia, aligns with the child’s labs and symptoms, making it a correct imbalance the nurse would identify in the assessment.
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