ATI RN
Nursing Clinical Skills questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
In the management of diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome, when is an intravenous (IV) solution that contains dextrose started?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct Answer: D Rationale: In diabetic emergencies, starting IV dextrose at 250 mg/dL prevents hypoglycemia while resolving ketoacidosis. Below 250 mg/dL, the body can use endogenous glucose, so IV dextrose is not necessary. Summary: A: Incorrect. Normal saline may be used for initial fluid resuscitation but does not address the need for glucose. B: Incorrect. Starting dextrose at 70 mg/dL may lead to unnecessary hyperglycemia and complications. C: Incorrect. Waiting until 150 mg/dL delays the provision of necessary glucose for metabolic functions.
Question 2 of 9
Continuous venovenous hemofiltration is used to
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because continuous venovenous hemofiltration primarily removes fluids and solutes through convection. Convection involves the movement of solutes across a semi-permeable membrane by the force of the fluid flow. This process helps to achieve fluid balance and manage electrolyte levels in patients with renal failure. Choice B is incorrect because hemofiltration does not specifically target plasma water; it aims to remove both fluids and solutes. Choice C is incorrect as hemofiltration does not involve adding dialysate; it relies on the patient's blood passing through a filter to remove waste products. Choice D is incorrect because while hemofiltration may involve aspects of ultrafiltration and dialysis, the primary mechanism is convection for removing fluids and solutes.
Question 3 of 9
The critical care nurse knows that in critically ill patients, renal dysfunction
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because renal dysfunction is a common issue in critically ill patients due to factors like sepsis or hypoperfusion. This affects nearly two thirds of patients, leading to potential complications. Choice A is incorrect as renal dysfunction is common, not rare. Choice C is incorrect as mortality rates can still be high even with renal replacement therapy. Choice D is incorrect as renal dysfunction can significantly impact morbidity, mortality, and quality of life in critically ill patients.
Question 4 of 9
A patient has been on daily, high-dose glucocorticoid therapy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. His prescription runs out before his next appointment with his physician. Because he is asymptomatic, he thinks it is all right to withhold the medication for 3 days. What is likely to happen to this patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: He will go into adrenal crisis. Rationale: 1. Glucocorticoids suppress the body's natural production of cortisol. 2. Abruptly stopping high-dose glucocorticoid therapy can lead to adrenal insufficiency. 3. Adrenal crisis can result in symptoms like weakness, fatigue, hypotension, and potentially life-threatening consequences. 4. This patient, being on high-dose glucocorticoid therapy, is at risk for adrenal crisis if he abruptly stops the medication. Summary: B: Thyroid storm is not related to abruptly stopping glucocorticoid therapy. C: Autoimmune disease remission is unlikely to occur within 3 days of stopping medication. D: It is not appropriate to stop high-dose glucocorticoid therapy abruptly, as it can lead to adverse effects like adrenal crisis.
Question 5 of 9
Complications common to patients receiving hemodialysis for acute kidney injury include which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hypotension. Hemodialysis can lead to hypotension due to rapid fluid removal, causing a drop in blood pressure. This occurs as the dialysis machine removes excess fluid, affecting plasma volume. Hypotension can result in complications like dizziness, nausea, and potential cardiac issues. Dysrhythmias (B) are less common during hemodialysis for acute kidney injury. Muscle cramps (C) may occur due to electrolyte imbalances but are not as common as hypotension. Hemolysis (D) is not a common complication of hemodialysis but can occur if there are issues with the dialysis machine or blood tubing.
Question 6 of 9
Which of the following would be seen in a patient with myxedema coma?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Decreased reflexes. In myxedema coma, a severe form of hypothyroidism, patients often present with decreased mental status, hypothermia, and bradycardia. Decreased reflexes are a common neurological manifestation due to the slowing of metabolic processes and the central nervous system depression associated with this condition. Hyperthermia (B) is not typically seen in myxedema coma, as patients usually have low body temperature. Hyperventilation (C) is also unlikely, as respiratory depression is more common. Tachycardia (D) is incorrect because bradycardia is more characteristic of myxedema coma.
Question 7 of 9
Which of the following laboratory values would be more common in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A (Blood glucose >1000 mg/dL) because diabetic ketoacidosis is characterized by severe hyperglycemia. High blood glucose levels (>1000 mg/dL) are common due to insulin deficiency leading to increased glucose production. B: Negative ketones in the urine would be incorrect as DKA results in ketone production, leading to ketonuria. C: Normal anion gap would be incorrect as DKA typically presents with an elevated anion gap metabolic acidosis due to ketone accumulation. D: pH 7.24 would be incorrect as DKA would present with a lower pH due to metabolic acidosis.
Question 8 of 9
The patient is admitted with complaints of general malaise and fatigue, along with a decreased urinary output. The patient’s urinalysis shows coarse, muddy brown granular casts and hematuria. The nurse determines that the patient has:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: intrarenal disease, probably acute tubular necrosis. The presence of coarse, muddy brown granular casts and hematuria in the urinalysis indicates damage to the renal tubules, which is characteristic of acute tubular necrosis. This condition is a type of intrarenal disease where there is direct damage to the kidney tubules, leading to decreased urinary output and symptoms like malaise and fatigue. Prerenal and postrenal conditions do not typically present with granular casts and hematuria, making choices A and B incorrect. Urinary tract infection is also unlikely to cause the specific findings seen in this case, ruling out choice D. Therefore, choice C is the most appropriate based on the urinalysis results and clinical presentation.
Question 9 of 9
Mechanisms for development of diabetes insipidus include which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: ADH deficiency. Diabetes insipidus is caused by a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), leading to excessive urine production and thirst. ADH is responsible for regulating water reabsorption in the kidneys. When ADH levels are low or absent, the kidneys cannot concentrate urine effectively, resulting in excessive urine output. Explanation for why other choices are incorrect: B: ADH excess would not lead to diabetes insipidus, as it would result in increased water reabsorption and concentrated urine. C: ADH insensitivity refers to a condition where the body does not respond to ADH, but it does not cause diabetes insipidus. D: ADH replacement therapy is actually a treatment for diabetes insipidus, not a mechanism for its development.