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. Chest physiotherapy is used to mobilize secretions and improve lung function, not specifically for increasing stroke volume or preload.
B. Diuretics would decrease preload by removing excess fluid, which is counterproductive in a patient with inadequate stroke volume related to decreased preload.
C. Vasodilators can further decrease preload and are not appropriate in this scenario where preload needs to be increased.
D. Intravenous (IV) fluids are administered to increase preload and improve stroke volume by enhancing the circulating blood volume.
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.