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.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. The nursing diagnosis "Impaired physical mobility" is appropriate and does not need revision.
B. There is no collaborative problem mentioned in the statement that requires revision.
C. The defining characteristic "patient's inability to ambulate" accurately reflects the patient's current condition and does not need changes.
D. The etiology "related to tibial fracture" should be revised to reflect a more precise causal factor that can be addressed by nursing interventions. A more appropriate etiology could specify the limitation in mobility rather than just stating the fracture.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Patient-centered care emphasizes understanding the patient’s needs and preferences, but it does not specifically address practice gaps.
B. Quality improvement focuses on identifying and addressing discrepancies between current practices and best practices, aiming to improve patient care outcomes.
C. Teamwork and collaboration involve working effectively with others to provide care, not directly identifying practice gaps.
D. Safety is about preventing harm to patients, but quality improvement is more focused on systematic evaluation and process improvement.