Which data warrants the most immediate intervention by the nurse for a client with diabetes insipidus (DI)? Reference Range: Sodium [136 to 145 mEq/L (136 to 145 mmol/L)].

Dry skin with inelastic turgor.

Apical rate of 110 beats/minute.

Serum sodium of 185 mEq/L (185 mmol/L).

Polyuria and excessive thirst.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Dry skin and inelastic turgor reflect dehydration in DI from antidiuretic hormone deficiency, causing water loss. This is less urgent than hypernatremia (185 mEq/L), which dehydrates brain cells, risking seizures or coma, requiring immediate fluid correction to prevent neurological damage in this critical condition.

Choice B reason: Tachycardia (110 beats/minute) compensates for hypovolemia in DI, where water loss reduces preload, triggering sympathetic activation. This is less critical than hypernatremia (185 mEq/L), which causes cerebral dehydration, necessitating urgent hypotonic fluids to prevent neurological complications, making heart rate secondary.

Choice C reason: Serum sodium of 185 mEq/L indicates severe hypernatremia in DI, where water loss concentrates sodium, dehydrating neurons and risking seizures or coma. Immediate IV hypotonic fluids (e.g., 5% dextrose) correct osmolarity, preventing life-threatening cerebral complications, addressing the urgent pathophysiological crisis in DI.

Choice D reason: Polyuria and thirst are hallmark DI symptoms from water loss but expected and less urgent than hypernatremia (185 mEq/L), which threatens neurological function via osmotic brain injury. Correcting sodium is critical to prevent seizures, making these symptoms secondary to urgent electrolyte management.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Dependence is not a primary concern with lithium, a mood stabilizer. Toxicity is critical due to lithium’s narrow therapeutic range, risking severe complications. Dependence is more relevant to other drugs, per psychopharmacology and lithium therapy education standards in nursing.

Choice B reason: Interactions are important but less urgent than toxicity, which can be life-threatening with lithium’s narrow therapeutic index. Toxicity education emphasizes monitoring blood levels to prevent harm, per psychopharmacology and patient safety protocols in lithium therapy teaching.

Choice C reason: Toxicity is the most critical adverse effect to teach, as lithium’s narrow therapeutic index risks severe complications like seizures or renal failure. Monitoring symptoms and blood levels ensures safety, per evidence-based psychopharmacology and patient education protocols for lithium therapy in nursing.

Choice D reason: Tolerance is not a significant issue with lithium, unlike toxicity, which is life-threatening due to its narrow therapeutic range. Teaching toxicity symptoms prioritizes patient safety, per lithium therapy management and psychopharmacological education standards in nursing practice.

A. Obtain an arterial blood gas (ABG) prior to the procedure. B. Explain that the client may be placed in five positions. C. Perform the drainage immediately after meals. D. Instruct the client to breathe shallow and fast.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Obtaining an ABG assesses oxygenation in COPD but is not needed before postural drainage, which mobilizes secretions. ABGs are invasive, used for exacerbations. Explaining positions prepares the client, enhancing cooperation for effective mucus clearance, addressing airway obstruction without unnecessary invasive testing.

Choice B reason: Postural drainage uses gravity in five positions (e.g., Trendelenburg, lateral) to drain lung segments in COPD, where mucus obstructs airways. Explaining this reduces anxiety, ensuring cooperation, optimizing secretion clearance to improve ventilation and gas exchange, addressing the pathophysiological need for airway clearance.

Choice C reason: Drainage after meals risks aspiration, as a full stomach increases reflux in positions like Trendelenburg. COPD’s mucus retention obstructs airways, and timing drainage appropriately enhances efficacy. Explaining positions ensures effective procedure execution, avoiding complications like aspiration, making this approach unsafe.

Choice D reason: Shallow, fast breathing is contraindicated in COPD, where deep, slow breaths reduce air trapping and improve alveolar ventilation. Postural drainage clears mucus, and proper breathing enhances efficacy. Explaining positions prepares the client, optimizing outcomes, making this instruction incorrect for effective breathing.

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Which data warrants the most immediate intervention by the nurse for a client with diabetes insipidus (DI)? Reference Range: Sodium [136 to 145 mEq/L (136 to 145 mmol/L)].

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client has begun a long-term maintenance therapy with lithium, which has a narrow therapeutic index. Which adverse effect is most important for the nurse to include in the teaching plan?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

When performing postural drainage on a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which approach should the nurse use?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Based on the capillary glucose measurement, a client is to receive 10 units of regular insulin. The client’s medication drawer contains one vial of a 70/30 mixture of regular insulin and isophane insulin. How should the nurse prepare the prescribed dose?

After placing a client who is having a seizure in the side-lying position, which intervention should the nurse implement?

A client with heart failure is receiving intravenous fluids at 125 mL/hour. The nurse observes an increase in jugular vein distention (JVD) and pedal edema. Which additional assessment should the nurse make before reporting to the healthcare provider?

A female client engages in repeated checks of door and window locks and behavior that prevents her from arriving on time and interfering with her ability to function effectively. Which action should the nurse take?

Which action should the nurse implement when inserting an indwelling catheter for an uncircumcised male client?

Which client’s laboratory value requires immediate intervention by a nurse? Reference Range: Hemoglobin (Hgb) [14 to 18 g/dL (8.7 to 11.2 mmol/L)]; Fasting Blood Glucose [70 to 110 mg/dL (3.9 to 6.1 mmol/L)]; Neutrophils (ANC) [55 to 70%: 2,500 to 8,000/mm3 (2.5 to 5.8 x109/L)]

The nurse is initiating a 24-hour urine collection for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. After emptying all the urine from the collection bag, which action is most important for the nurse to implement?