Which additional information will the nurse need to consider when reviewing the laboratory results for a patient's total calcium level?
a. The blood glucose is elevated.
b. The phosphate level is normal.
c. The serum albumin level is low.
d. The magnesium level is normal.
ANS: C
Part of the total calcium is bound to albumin so hypoalbuminemia can lead to misinterpretation of calcium levels. The other laboratory values will not affect total calcium interpretation.
You might also like to view...
The nurse is performing the Denver II screening test on a 12-month-old infant during a routine well-child visit. The nurse should tell the infant's parents that the Denver II:
a. Tests three areas of development: cognitive, physical, and psychological b. Will indicate whether the child has a speech disorder so that treatment can begin. c. Is a screening instrument designed to detect children who are slow in development. d. Is a test to determine intellectual ability and may indicate whether problems will develop later in school.
A patient with a bacterial infection has been placed on antibacterial therapy. Which assessment finding in the patient indicates to the nurse that the therapy is effective?
a. Red blood cell count is 4,500,000 cells/mm3 b. White blood cell (WBC) count is 8000 cells/mm3 c. Wound drainage is thick and yellow d. Temperature is 102.4? Fahrenheit
A 2-year-old with a cold for four days now has a barking cough and an elevated temperature with a blue discoloration around the mouth. What should the nurse recommend that the caregiver do?
A) "Put a cool mist humidifier or vaporizer in the room to see if that relieves the cough. Call back if there's no relief in an hour." B) "Bundle the child up and take her out into the cold for a few minutes. Call back if the exposure to the cold air does not provide relief." C) "Bring the child to the emergency room immediately." D) "Turn on all of the hot water taps in the bathroom and close the door. Take the child into the steam-filled room for 15 minutes. If there is no relief, bring the child to the emergency room."
You are caring for a client who is a refugee from Haiti
The family has been displaced because of an earthquake in their country. The client has healing fractures on his right arm as well as fractured ribs. He tells you that before you care for him you must consult with his Voodoo healer. Your response would include A) teaching the client that he is in the United States and will abide by Western medical practices. B) informing the physician that the client is noncompliant. C) consulting with the healer and updating the physician regarding treatment and any herbal medications that may be used. D) encouraging the client to use a complementary approach to his care.