Question 1

The client is experiencing an episode of hypoglycemia. The nurse understands that the physiological mechanism that should take place to combat this decrease in the blood glucose level is:

Accepted Answer

Increased glucagon secretion is the body's direct response to combat hypoglycemia. Glucagon signals the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream, thereby raising blood glucose levels.

Question 2

The client with diabetes experiences breakdown of fats for conversion to glucose. The nurse determines that this response is occurring if the client has elevated levels of which of the following substances?

Accepted Answer

When the body of a person with diabetes breaks down fats for energy due to a lack of insulin or inability to use insulin properly, ketone bodies are produced as a byproduct. Elevated levels of ketones in the blood or urine indicate that this fat metabolism is occurring, a condition known as ketosis.

Question 3

The client with diabetes mellitus is being tested to determine long-term diabetic control. Which of the following results would the nurse expect to see if the client's long-term control is within acceptable limits?

Accepted Answer

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels reflect the average blood glucose levels over the past 2 to 3 months. A level of 6% is considered within acceptable limits for most patients with diabetes, indicating good long-term glucose control.

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a client with a dysfunctional thyroid gland and is concerne d that the client will exhibit signs of thyroid storm. Which of the following is an early indicator of this complication?

Accepted Answer

Hyperreflexia is an early indicator of thyroid storm, a life-threatening condition that can occur in clients with hyperthyroidism. It reflects an exaggerated response of the nervous system due to excessive thyroid hormones.

Question 5

The client is undergoing an oral glucose tolerance test. The nurse interprets that the client's results are not compatible with diabetes mellitus if the glucose level is lower than which of the following cutoff values after 120 minutes (2 hours)?

Accepted Answer

For a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus to be considered, the 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) value must be 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher. Therefore, a value lower than 140 mg/dL is considered not compatible with diabetes mellitus, falling into the normal or non-diabetic range.

Question 6

A client who visits the physician's office for a routine physical reports new onset of intolerance to cold. Knowing that this is a frequent complaint associated with hypothyroidism, the nurse continues to assess for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Hypothyroidism often presents with symptoms such as weakness and lethargy, in addition to cold intolerance, due to the decreased metabolic rate associated with low thyroid hormone levels.

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with suspected acute pancreatitis. When reviewing the client's laboratory results, the nurse determines that which of these findings will support the diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Elevated serum lipase level is a key indicator of acute pancreatitis, as it is more specific to the pancreas than other enzymes and remains elevated longer during the course of the disease.

Question 8

A nurse is caring for a client postoperativelyfollowing creation of a colostomy. Which of the following nursing diagnoses should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Accepted Answer

Postoperative creation of a colostomy can significantly alter a person's body image, leading to feelings of disturbed body image.

Question 9

The client is experiencing blockage of the common bile duct. Which of the following food selections made by the client indicates the need to plan for further diet teaching?

Accepted Answer

Whole milk is high in fat, and a blockage of the common bile duct can impair fat digestion and absorption, leading to discomfort and nutritional issues. The client should be advised to choose low-fat or fat-free options to minimize symptoms. Rice, broiled fish, and baked chicken are generally considered to be easier to digest and lower in fat, making them more suitable choices for someone with this condition.

Question 10

The nurse is reviewing laboratory test results for the client with liver disease and notes that the client's albumin level is low. Which of the following nursing actions is focused on the consequence of low albumin levels?

Accepted Answer

Low albumin levels can lead to decreased oncotic pressure in the blood vessels, which can cause fluid to leak out into the tissues, resulting in peripheral edema. Palpating for peripheral edema is a direct action to assess for this consequence.

Question 11

Discharge teaching for a client recovering from an attack of chronic pancreatitis should include which of the following instructions?

Accepted Answer

Avoiding caffeine is recommended for individuals recovering from chronic pancreatitis because it can stimulate the pancreas and potentially aggravate symptoms. Alcohol consumption should be avoided entirely, not just moderated, as it can exacerbate the condition. The diet should be low in fat to reduce the workload on the pancreas, and frothy fatty stools (steatorrhea) indicate malabsorption, not effective enzyme replacement.

Question 12

A client returns to the nursing unit after undergoing an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Which of the following reflects appropriate intervention by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

After an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), it's important to ensure the client's gag reflex has returned before allowing oral intake to prevent aspiration. The other options do not specifically address immediate post-procedure safety concerns as directly as ensuring the gag reflex has returned.

Question 13

The nurse is assisting the physician during a colonoscopy procedure. The nurse helps the client to assume which of the following positions for the procedure?

Accepted Answer

Left Sims position is commonly used for colonoscopy procedures as it allows easy access to the colon while the patient is lying on their left side.

Question 14

The client is scheduled for oral cholecystography. For the evening meal prior to the test, the nurse provides a list of foods from which diet type?

Accepted Answer

For oral cholecystography, a fat-free diet is recommended the evening before the test to ensure the gallbladder is not stimulated, as fats could cause it to contract and interfere with the imaging results.

Question 15

In which of the following optimal positions should the nurse plan to place the client after bolus feeding using a nasogastric tube?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In which of the following optimal positions...

Question 16

The client receiving a cleansing enema complains of pain and cramping. The nurse takes which of the following corrective actions?

Accepted Answer

Clamping the tubing for a short period allows the client's discomfort to decrease, and restarting the flow at a slower rate can help minimize cramping and discomfort during the administration of an enema. This approach is often used to manage pain and cramping without discontinuing the procedure.

Question 17

A client presents to the urgent care center with complaints of abdominal pain and vomits bright red blood. Which of the following is the priority action taken by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Taking the client's vital signs is the priority action to assess for signs of shock or instability due to the acute blood loss, guiding immediate and appropriate interventions.

Question 18

The client with frequent upper respiratory infections (URIs) asks the nurse why food doesn't seem to have any taste during illness. The nurse understands that this is because of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The sense of taste is closely linked to the sense of smell. When nasal passages are blocked due to an upper respiratory infection, the ability to smell is impaired, which in turn can significantly reduce the sense of taste. This is because much of what we perceive as taste actually comes from our sense of smell.

Question 19

The nurse providing instructions to the client using an incentive spirometer tells the client to sustain the inhaled breath for 3 seconds. When the client asks the nurse about the rationale for this action, the nurse explains that the primary benefit is to:

Accepted Answer

Maintaining inflation of the alveoli is the primary benefit of sustaining the inhaled breath for 3 seconds when using an incentive spirometer. This technique helps prevent alveolar collapse (atelectasis) and improves gas exchange in the lungs.

Question 20

The nurse understands that increasing the flow of oxygen to more than 2 L/min in the client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) could be harmful because it:

Accepted Answer

In clients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), their respiratory drive is often regulated by low oxygen levels rather than high carbon dioxide levels, which is the norm in healthy individuals. Increasing the oxygen flow to more than 2 L/min can suppress this oxygen-based respiratory drive, leading to decreased respiratory effort and potentially life-threatening respiratory failure.

Quiz 1: Adult Health