In clients with any type of acid-base imbalance, the nurse places the priority on monitoring which electrolyte?
a. Sodium
b. Calcium
c. Potassium
d. Magnesium
C
Any type of acid-base imbalance usually alters the blood potassium level. Both potassium and hydrogen ions carry or express an overall positive charge (cations). Body fluids maintain electroneutrality by keeping the number of positive ions matched with an equal number of negative ions (anions). In acidosis, hydrogen ions enter cells in exchange for potassium ions. Thus, a relative hyperkalemia accompanies acidosis. In alkalosis, hydrogen ions leave the cells and enter the blood in exchange for potassium ions. Thus, a relative hypokalemia usually accompanies alkalosis as extracellular potassium ions move into cells in exchange for intracellular hydrogen ions entering the extracellular fluid. The normal potassium level of the blood has a narrow range (3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L). When blood potassium levels are too high, lethal cardiac dysrhythmias may occur. When blood potassium levels are too low, skeletal muscle weakness and respiratory failure may occur.
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Which type of pain tends to occur persistently along a well-defined path in a region of the body?
a. Unrelenting pain c. Postoperative pain b. Osteoarthritic pain d. Postherpetic pain
A nurse is planning patient teaching about a newly prescribed drug. What is a priority teaching point included by the nurse to improve compliance and safety?
A) List of pharmacies where the drug can be obtained B) Measures to alleviate any discomfort associated with adverse effects C) The cost of the brand name drug compared with the generic form D) Statistics related to Phase III testing for the prescribed drug
When other methods have failed to stop the bleeding and the victim's life is in danger, the rescuer at the scene applies a tourniquet to a young woman's leg above the knee. It is essential that the rescuer:
a. never release the tourniquet. b. wrap the tourniquet around the limb twice. c. mark the patient with a "T." d. leave the limb elevated.
In which of the following client situations would you need to wait 10 to 15 minutes before taking a client's pulse to prevent an inaccurate pulse reading? The client:
1. just drank a glass of cold water. 2. is crying after a painful procedure. 3. is aware that you are counting the pulse. 4. is resting quietly in bed.