A client with a history of diabetes mellitus presents with confusion, sweating, and palpitations. What should the nurse do first?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Check the client's blood glucose level. The client's symptoms are indicative of hypoglycemia, which is a common complication in diabetes mellitus. Checking the blood glucose level will confirm the diagnosis and guide appropriate interventions. Administering insulin (B) could worsen the hypoglycemia. Giving a high-protein snack (C) may help raise blood sugar levels but should be done after confirming the diagnosis. Measuring blood pressure (D) is not the priority in this situation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Numbness and tingling around the mouth. This finding indicates potential hypocalcemia, a common complication post-thyroidectomy due to inadvertent damage to parathyroid glands. Hypocalcemia can lead to tetany, seizures, and cardiac dysrhythmias. Immediate intervention is needed to prevent serious complications. Hoarseness and a sore throat (A) are expected post-thyroidectomy due to intubation. Difficulty swallowing (B) can be due to swelling but is not immediately life-threatening. A temperature of 100.2°F (37.9°C) (D) is slightly elevated but not a priority in this scenario.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). The aPTT measures the effectiveness of heparin therapy by assessing the clotting time. In patients with DVT receiving heparin, the goal is to keep the aPTT within a therapeutic range to prevent clot formation. Monitoring aPTT helps ensure the dose of heparin is appropriate. Prothrombin time (PT) and International normalized ratio (INR) are used to monitor warfarin therapy, not heparin. Platelet count is important to monitor for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia but does not directly assess the effectiveness of heparin therapy for DVT.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: High Fowler's position. Placing the client in a High Fowler's position helps reduce dyspnea and orthopnea by facilitating lung expansion and improving ventilation. In this position, the client's head and chest are elevated at a 90-degree angle, allowing for maximal chest expansion and improved oxygenation. This position also helps reduce the workload on the heart by decreasing venous return, which can help alleviate symptoms of left-sided heart failure. Summary: - A: High Fowler's position is correct as it facilitates lung expansion and improves ventilation. - B: Supine position would not be ideal as it can exacerbate symptoms by increasing pressure on the lungs and heart. - C: Trendelenburg position would worsen symptoms by increasing venous return and fluid overload. - D: Sims' position is used for procedures or to facilitate drainage, not for relieving dyspnea and orthopnea.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hypernatremia. Fludrocortisone is a mineralocorticoid that promotes sodium retention and potassium excretion, leading to an increase in sodium levels. Addison's disease involves low levels of cortisol and aldosterone, so fludrocortisone is used to replace aldosterone. Monitoring for hypernatremia is crucial to prevent complications like hypertension and fluid retention. Hyperkalemia (A) is not expected due to the drug's potassium-excreting effect. Hyponatremia (B) is unlikely as the drug promotes sodium retention. Hypocalcemia (D) is not directly related to fludrocortisone therapy.