Which assessment finding will the nurse expect for a patient with the following laboratory values: sodium 145 mEq/L, potassium 4.5 mEq/L, calcium 4.5 mg/dL?
Weak quadriceps muscles
Decreased deep tendon reflexes
Tingling of extremities with possible tetany
Light-headedness when standing up
The Correct Answer is C
A. Weak quadriceps muscles can occur with electrolyte imbalances, but the provided values do not indicate hypokalemia or other issues causing muscle weakness.
B. Decreased deep tendon reflexes are generally associated with elevated calcium levels or other electrolyte disturbances but are not specifically indicated by the given lab values.
C. A calcium level of 4.5 mg/dL is significantly low (normal range is typically around 8.5-10.5 mg/dL), which can lead to hypocalcemia symptoms such as tingling of the extremities and tetany due to increased neuromuscular excitability.
D. Light-headedness when standing up (orthostatic hypotension) is more related to fluid volume status or dehydration rather than directly related to the given electrolyte levels.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Childhood obesity may indicate dietary and lifestyle issues but does not directly reflect sociocultural factors affecting developmental problems.
B. Prolonged poverty can significantly impact a child's development by limiting access to resources such as nutrition, education, and healthcare, thus signaling a potential developmental issue.
C. Family relocation can cause stress and adjustment challenges but is not as directly associated with long-term developmental problems as prolonged poverty.
D. Loss of stamina may be a physical issue but does not necessarily correlate with sociocultural factors that would indicate developmental concerns.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. A Yankauer suction tip catheter is used for suctioning secretions and does not assess cardiac function or afterload.
B. A blood pressure cuff is essential for measuring blood pressure, which can indicate increased afterload through elevated systemic vascular resistance.
C. An oxygen cannula is used for delivering supplemental oxygen and does not provide information about cardiac afterload.
D. A pulse oximeter measures oxygen saturation, which is not directly related to assessing cardiac afterload.