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. Assessment has already been completed as the initial step, involving data collection.
B. Diagnosis is also completed, involving analysis and identification of the patient’s health problems.
C. Implementation occurs after planning, when nursing interventions are executed.
D. Planning is the appropriate next step, involving the creation of specific, measurable goals and interventions based on the identified nursing diagnoses.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Continuing with the injection after seeing blood return increases the risk of injecting into a blood vessel, which is not safe for IM injections.
B. Administering at a slower rate does not address the issue of possible intravascular injection.
C. If blood is aspirated, the correct procedure is to withdraw the needle, dispose of the medication, and prepare a new dose to prevent intravascular administration, as IM injections are meant to be given into muscle tissue, not into a vein.
D. Pulling the needle back slightly is not recommended because it does not ensure that the needle is completely out of the blood vessel.