NCLEX Questions

What signs and symptoms can be related to a serum sodium level of 128 mEq/L?

Weakness in all extremities, Confusion with garbled speech, Diarrhea with abdominal cramping.

Cushing syndrome physical features

a fatty hump between the shoulders, a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on the skin.

dyspneic

affected by or involving difficulty in breathing

What are the different depths of pitting edema?

1=slight pitting (2 mm depth) with no visible distortion, 2=somewhat deeper pit (4 mm) with no readily detectable distortion, 3=noticeably deep pit (6 mm) with the dependent extremity full and swollen, and 4=very deep pit (8 mm).

What is Calcitonin?

A hormone that regulates calcium levels in the blood by decreasing it

What is Hypomagnesemia?

A magnesium level of 1.0 mEq/L (0.5 mmol/L)

What are the symptoms of Hypomagnesemia?

Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, weakness, personality change, tetany

Which foods should be avoided when taking calcium carbonate?

Beets, spinach, and bran.

What medication would the nurse plan to assist in administering to a client with a serum calcium level of 13 mg/dL?

Calcitonin

Cushing syndrome symptoms

Cushing syndrome also can cause high blood pressure or bone loss. Sometimes, it can cause type 2 diabetes

Who is at risk for Hypervolemia?

Decreased cardiac output; chronic or acute heart disease, Excessive fluid intake, Excessive sodium intake, Head injury, Hormonal disturbances, Liver disease, Low protein intake, Malnutrition, Renal insufficiency, Severe stress, Steroid therapy

SX of Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance (Ileostomy)

Dehydration Increased thirst, dry mouth, dry skin, decreased urine output, fatigue, shortness of breath, stomach cramps. Sodium Loss Loss of appetite, stomach cramps, cold arms, and/or legs, fatigue, feeling faint. Potassium Loss Fatigue, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, decreased sensation in arms and legs, and a gassy bloated feeling

What is Hypervolemia?

Fluid Volume Excess

Why is an ileostomy at risk for fluid volume deficit?

Having an ileostomy makes it more difficult to stay well hydrated. Those with an ileostomy can lose an additional 800-1000mls per day in addition

What are the characteristics of a 0.9% intravenous (IV) solution?

Is the same solution as sodium chloride 0.9%, Is used to administer red blood cell transfusion, Is used to treat hypotension due to fluid volume deficit.

What nursing interventions would the nurse initiate for a magnesium level of 1.0 mEq/L?

Monitor the client for dysrhythmias, Notify the primary health care provider (PHCP) of the laboratory results

A client enters the emergency department confused, twitching, and having seizures. Upon assessment, flushed skin, dry mucous membranes, an elevated temperature, and poor skin turgor is noted. The serum sodium level is 172 mEq/L (172 mmol/L). Which interventions should the primary health care provider (PHCP) likely prescribe? Select all that apply.

Monitor vital signs. Monitor intake and output. Increase water intake orally. Monitor electrolyte levels. Provide a sodium-reduced diet.

The nurse reviews a client's electrolyte results and notes that the potassium level is 5.4 mEq/L. What would the nurse look for on the cardiac monitor as a result of this laboratory value?

Narrow, peaked T waves

What is pitting edema?

Occurs when excess fluid builds up in the body, causing swelling; when pressure is applied to the swollen area, a "pit", or indentation, will remain.

What health problems can cause a serum potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L?

Severe burn injury, Untreated ketoacidosis

Etidronate, an antihypercalcemic medication, is prescribed for a client. Which information would the nurse reinforce when instructing the client about taking this medication?

Take 2 hours before meals

What instructions should the nurse include when reinforcing teaching about calcium carbonate for a client with hypocalcemia?

Take as prescribed, Take with food, Avoid taking with other medications, Report any adverse effects to the healthcare provider.

Which client is at risk for insensible fluid loss of approximately 800 mL daily?

The client with a fast respiratory rate.

Which electrocardiogram changes would the nurse note on the cardiac monitor with a client whose potassium (K+) level is 2.7 mEq/L (2.7 mmol/L)?

U waves

What interventions would the nurse utilize in performing nasogastric tube irrigation?

Utilize 30 mL of 0.9% normal saline for the irrigating solution, After injecting the irrigating solution, pull back on the irrigation syringe.

nasogastric tube feeding

can lead to an increase in potassium losses in GI secretions

What is Cushing's syndrome?

happens when the body has too much of the hormone cortisol for a long time. This can result from the body making too much cortisol, or from taking medicines called glucocorticoids

Signs of hyperkalemia include

heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, or vomiting, Muscle weakness

Who is at risk for hyperkalemia?

the major risk factors for hyperkalemia are renal failure, diabetes mellitus, adrenal disease and the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers or potassium-sparing diuretics.

What is hyperkalemia?

too much potassium in the blood; caused by not enough fluid excretion