Fundamentals of Nursing Practice Quiz 27

Answer: C – Muscle weakness

Explanation: Presenting symptoms of hypokalemia ( a serum potassium level below 3.5 mEq/liter) include muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, and cardiac dysrhythmias. The combined effects of inadequate food intake and prolonged diarrhea can deplete the potassium stores of a patient with GI problems.

Answer: D – All of the above

Explanation: Assisting a patient with ambulation and transfer from a bed to a chair allows the nurse to evaluate the patient’s ability to carry out these functions safely. Demonstrating the signal system and providing an opportunity for a return demonstration ensures that the patient knows how to operate the equipment and encourages him to call for assistance when needed. Checking the patient’s identification band verifies the patient’s identity and prevents identification mistakes in drug administration.

Answer: D – Side rails are a reminder to a patient not to get out of bed

Explanation: Since about 40% of patients fall out of bed despite the use of side rails, side rails cannot be said to prevent falls; however, they do serve as a reminder that the patient should not get out of bed, The other answers are incorrect interpretations of the statistical data.

Answer: C – A patient who cannot care for himself at home

Explanation: A patient who cannot care for himself at home does not necessarily have impaired awareness; he may simply have some degree of immobility.

Answer: D – Hip fracture

Explanation: Hip fracture, the most common injury among elderly persons, usually results from osteoporosis, The other answers are diseases that can occur in the elderly from physiologic changes.

Answer: A – Depression

Explanation: Depression typically begins before the onset of old age and usually is caused by psychosocial, genetic, or biochemical factors, Sleep disturbances, inability to concentrate and decreased appetite are symptoms of depression, the most common psychogenic disorder among elderly persons. Other symptoms include diminished memory, apathy, disinterest in appearance, withdrawal, and irritability.

Answer: D – All of the above

Explanation: Aging decreases the elasticity of the blood vessels, which leads to increased peripheral resistance and decreased blood flow. These changes, in turn, increase the workload of the left ventricle.

Answer: D – Alzheimer’s disease

Explanation: Alzheimer;s disease, sometimes known as senile dementia of the Alzheimer’s type or primary degenerative dementia, is an insidious; progressive, irreversible, and degenerative disease of the brain whose etiology is still unknown, Parkinson’s disease is a neurologic disorder caused by lesions in the extrapyramidal system and manifested by tremors, muscle rigidity, hypokinesia, dysphagia, and dysphonia.

Answer: C – Labeling the corpse appropriately

Explanation: The nurse is legally responsible for labeling the corpse when death occurs in the hospital, She may be involved in obtaining consent for an autopsy or notifying the coroner or medical examiner of a patient’s death; however, she is not legally responsible for performing these functions, The attending physician may need information from the nurse to complete the death certificate, but he is responsible for issuing it.

Answer: B – Placing one pillow under the body’s head and shoulders

Explanation: The nurse must place a pillow under the deceased person’s head and shoulders to prevent blood from settling in the face and discoloring it, She is required to bathe only soiled areas of the body since the mortician will wash the entire body, Before wrapping the body in a shroud, the nurse places a clean gown on the body and closes the eyes and mouth.