ATI RN
Critical Care Nursing Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is caring for an elderly patient who was admitted with renal insufficiency. An expected laboratory finding for this patient may be
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: a normal serum creatinine level. In renal insufficiency, the kidneys are not able to filter waste products effectively, leading to an increase in serum creatinine levels. This is a common indicator of renal dysfunction.
A: An increased GFR would not be expected in renal insufficiency, as it signifies improved kidney function.
C: Increased ability to excrete drugs is not a typical finding in renal insufficiency, as impaired kidney function can lead to drug accumulation.
D: Hypokalemia is not directly related to renal insufficiency. It is more commonly associated with factors like diuretic use or gastrointestinal losses.
Question 2 of 5
The patient undergoes a cardiac catheterization that requires the use of contrast dyes during the procedure. To detect signs of contrast-induced kidney injury, the nurse should
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because evaluating the patient's serum creatinine for up to 72 hours after the procedure is crucial in detecting contrast-induced kidney injury. An increase in serum creatinine levels indicates impaired kidney function due to the contrast dye. This monitoring allows for early detection and intervention to prevent further kidney damage.
Choice A is incorrect because a decrease in urine output is a late sign of kidney injury and may not be present in the early stages.
Choice C is incorrect as a renal ultrasound is not typically used to detect contrast-induced kidney injury.
Choice D is incorrect as postvoid residual volume assessment is not specific to detecting intrarenal injury related to contrast dye use.
Question 3 of 5
In calculating the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) results for women, the creatinine clearance is usually:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: multiplied by 0.85. This is because women typically have lower muscle mass compared to men, resulting in lower creatinine production.
Therefore, to adjust for this difference, the creatinine clearance for women is multiplied by 0.85. This correction factor helps to more accurately estimate the GFR in women.
Choices A and B are incorrect because the creatinine clearance for women is not the same as or greater than that for men due to the physiological differences in muscle mass.
Choice D is also incorrect as multiplying by 1.15 would overestimate the GFR in women.
Question 4 of 5
A 100-kg patient gets hemodialysis 3 days a week. In planning the care for this patient, the nurse recommends
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: a diet of 2500 to 3500 kcal per day. During hemodialysis, the patient loses nutrients and energy, so a high-calorie diet is necessary to maintain proper nutrition and energy levels. 2500-3500 kcal/day is a suitable range for a 100-kg patient.
Choice B is incorrect because protein intake should be adequate to prevent malnutrition in hemodialysis patients, typically 1.2g/kg body weight/day.
Choice C is incorrect as potassium intake should be restricted in hemodialysis patients due to impaired kidney function.
Choice D is incorrect because fluid intake should be individualized based on the patient's fluid status and should not be limited to less than 500 mL per day.
Question 5 of 5
The patient has just returned from having an arteriovenous fistula placed. The patient asks, “When will they be able to use this and take this other catheter out?” The nurse should reply,
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: “The fistula will be usable in about 4 to 6 weeks.” The rationale for this is that an arteriovenous fistula typically requires 4 to 6 weeks to mature and be ready for use. During this time, the fistula develops the necessary blood flow for efficient dialysis.
Choice A is incorrect because immediate use of the fistula is not recommended as it needs time to mature.
Choice B is incorrect as it underestimates the time needed for the fistula to heal and mature.
Choice D is incorrect as the usability of the fistula is not dependent on the manufacturer but rather on the patient's individual healing process.