Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination Silvestri 5th Edition Test Bank 5


administration of a sedative or antianxiety medication, if it is prescribed. The client should try to breathe more slowly. Lying supine provides no benefit to the client and may cause problems with breathing.


Test-Taking Strategy: Visualize the items in each of the options and their anticipated effect on the client’s respiratory status. Use the process of elimination and select the umbrella option, which is providing support and reassurance. If you had difficulty with this question, review care of the client with respiratory alkalosis.


PTS: 1 DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying REF: Ignatavicius, D., & Workman, M. (2010). Medical-surgical nursing: patient- centered collaborative care (6th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders. OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity TOP: Content Area: Nursing Sciences MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Implementation


6. A client is being treated for metabolic acidosis with medication therapy and other measures. The nurse would plan to most carefully note the results of which of the following electrolytes, which could dramatically decline with effective treatment of the acidosis? 1. Sodium 2. Potassium 3. Magnesium 4. Phosphorus


ANS: 2


Rationale: The serum potassium level tends to rise with metabolic acidosis. This is because potassium moves out of the cells and into the bloodstream. When acidosis is corrected with treatment, the potassium will shift back into the cellular compartment. This can cause a rapid drop in the serum potassium level. Because of the effects of potassium on the heart, this electrolyte should be monitored closely while the client is treated.


Test-Taking Strategy: Specific knowledge about electrolyte changes that accompany acid-base disturbances is needed to answer the question. In the question, note the strategic words “most carefully” which tell you that more than one option may be partially correct. Recall the roles of the various electrolytes in the body to select the correct option. Remember that the serum potassium level tends to rise with metabolic acidosis. Review metabolic acidosis if you had difficulty with this question.


PTS: 1 DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying REF: Black, J., & Hawks, J. (2009). Medical-surgical nursing: clinical management for positive outcomes (8th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders. OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity TOP: Content Area: Nursing Sciences


Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination Silvestri 5th Edition Test Bank


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21