An elderly patient comes into the clinic. The nurse notes on her routine clinic-visit questionnaire that she has checked frequent use of a stimulant laxative. The nurse should pay close attention to which laboratory value for this patient?
a. Vitamin C level
b. Phosphorus level
c. Vitamin B12 level
d. Potassium level
ANS: D
Overdosage or overuse of stimulant laxatives may cause excessive fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance, particularly hypokalemia.
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A pediatric nurse reads in a chart that a female patient is in Tanner stage 3. Which of the following best describes this patient?
A. Breast buds and thick, curly pubic hair B. Entire breast enlarged; pubic hair in inverted triangle C. Has breast buds and sparse, straight pubic hair D. Nipples protruded; pubic hair extending to medial thighs
The nurse clarifies that a subtotal thyroidectomy, which removes only two thirds of the gland, allows:
a. the patient to take minimum amounts of antithyroid drugs. b. continued production and release of thy-roid hormones from the remainder of the gland. c. the reduction of exophthalmos. d. for less postoperative risk than total thy-roidectomy.
To effectively assess an older adult patient's sexual needs, the nurse must initially
a. reflect on personal feelings that create barriers to effective communication with the patient. b. be familiar with the sexual needs of the older adult population. c. assess the patient's physical capacity to engage in sexual activities. d. inform the patient of the personal nature of the detailed questioning this assessment requires.
A woman with Rh-negative blood is administered RhoGAM following an abortion to prevent:
a. Pregnancy-induced hypertension b. Isoimmunization in the mother c. Disseminated intravascular coagulation d. Isoimmunization in the fetus