An older patient with chronic renal failure has not had a bowel movement for two days. What does the nurse realize this patient is at risk for developing?
1. Hypokalemia
2. Hyperkalemia
3. Metabolic acidosis
4. Increased serum creatinine levels
2
Rationale: Constipation exacerbates hyperkalemia and it is important to monitor patients with chronic renal failure for daily bowel movements since the potassium levels are already impaired.
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In which of the following patients would a nurse expect to experience alterations in drug metabolism?
A) A 35-year-old woman with cervical cancer B) A 41-year-old man with kidney stones C) A 50-year-old man with cirrhosis of the liver D) A 62-year-old woman in acute renal failure
Which instruction should the nurse teach the 22-year-old male client who has a furuncle in his left axilla about how to best care for the problem?
A. "Shave the area around the lesion and apply cortisone cream to reduce the in-flammation." B. "Squeeze the lesion until it opens and all pus and other material is removed." C. "Keep your arm down against your side to close off the area and prevent spread to other body areas or other people." D. "Wash the area three times daily with antibacterial soap, apply warm compresses for 20 minutes, and then apply antibiotic cream."
In assessing a patient before administration of a cardiac glycoside, the nurse knows that which lab result can increase the toxicity of the drug?
a. Potassium level 2.8 mEq/L b. Potassium level 4.9 mEq/L c. Sodium level 140 mEq/L d. Calcium level 10 mg/dL
What is the major criterion for dysfunctional grief?
a. physical illness of the bereaved b. the bereaved is preoccupied with thoughts of the deceased c. the bereaved is unable to adapt to life without the deceased person d. emotional liability in the bereaved