The nurse assessing a client hospitalized with a diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism notes positive Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs. The nurse determines that these findings most indicate which electrolyte imbalance?
Hypernatremia
Hypermagnesemia
Hypocalcemia
Hypokalemia
The Correct Answer is C
Rationale:
A. Hypernatremia, an elevated sodium level, does not cause Trousseau's or Chvostek's signs.
B. Hypermagnesemia, an elevated magnesium level, is not associated with positive Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs.
C. Hypocalcemia, a low calcium level, is commonly associated with positive Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs. Trousseau's sign is a carpopedal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff, while Chvostek's sign is facial twitching in response to tapping over the facial nerve. Both are indicative of neuromuscular irritability due to low calcium levels.
D. Hypokalemia, a low potassium level, does not cause these specific signs and is associated with different clinical manifestations.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Limiting walking episodes may reduce discomfort but does not address the underlying issue or potential complications.
B. While leg cramps can be common during pregnancy, calf pain could also indicate a more serious condition, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and should not be dismissed as normal without further investigation.
C. Gathering further assessment data is crucial to determine the cause of the calf pain, as it may indicate DVT, a potentially life-threatening condition. The nurse should assess for other symptoms like swelling, redness, or warmth in the leg.
D. Instructing the client to elevate the legs may be appropriate for general discomfort, but without proper assessment, it may not be the correct intervention if DVT is present.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]
Explanation
Rationale:
A. A decreased level of consciousness is a common symptom of ARF due to hypoxemia, which reduces oxygen delivery to the brain, leading to confusion, agitation, or lethargy.
B. Hypercarbia, or elevated levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood, occurs due to impaired gas exchange in ARF, which leads to respiratory acidosis.
C. Severe dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is a hallmark symptom of ARF as the lungs fail to maintain adequate oxygenation or ventilation.
D. Nausea is not a typical manifestation of ARF; while it may occur due to other factors, it is not directly associated with respiratory failure.
E. Tachycardia, or an increased heart rate, is often seen in ARF as the body attempts to compensate for hypoxemia by increasing cardiac output to deliver more oxygen to tissues.