NCLEX-RN
Results Analysis Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A child diagnosed with seizures is being treated with carbamazepine. The nurse reviews the laboratory report for the results of the drug plasma level and determines that the plasma level is in a therapeutic range if which is noted?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When carbamazepine is administered, plasma levels of the medication need to be monitored periodically to check for the child's absorption of the medication. The amount of the medication prescribed is based on the results of this laboratory test. The therapeutic plasma level of carbamazepine is 5 to 12 mcg/mL (21.16 to 50.80 mcmol/L). Option 1 indicates a low level that possibly necessitates an increased medication dose. Options 3 and 4 identify elevated levels that indicate the need to decrease the medication dose.
Question 2 of 5
What is the nurse's priority for the postprocedure care of a client who has just returned to the unit after a scheduled intravenous pyelogram (IVP)?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After IVP, the client should take in increased fluids to aid in the clearance of the dye used for the procedure. The client is usually allowed activity as tolerated, without any specific activity guidelines. It is unnecessary to void frequently after the procedure.
Question 3 of 5
A client had arterial blood gases drawn. The results are a pH of 7.34, a partial pressure of carbon dioxide of 37 mm Hg (37 mm Hg), a partial pressure of oxygen of 79 mm Hg (79 mm Hg), and a bicarbonate level of 19 mEq/L (19 mmol/L). Which disorder should the nurse interpret that the client is experiencing?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Metabolic acidosis occurs when the pH falls to less than 7.35 and the bicarbonate level falls to less than 22 mEq/L (22 mmol/L). With metabolic alkalosis, the pH rises to more than 7.45 and the bicarbonate level rises to more than 27 mEq/L (27 mmol/L). With respiratory acidosis, the pH drops to less than 7.35 and the carbon dioxide level rises to more than 45 mm Hg. With respiratory alkalosis, the pH rises to more than 7.45 and the carbon dioxide level falls to less than 35 mm Hg.
Question 4 of 5
A 3-week-old infant is brought to the well-baby clinic for a phenylketonuria (PKU) screening test. The nurse reviews the results of the serum phenylalanine levels and notes that the level is 1.0 mg/dL (60 mmol/L). What is the nurse's priority action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The normal PKU level is 0.8 to 1.8 mg/dL (48 to 109 mmol/L). With early postpartum discharge, screening is often performed when the infant is less than 2 days old because of the concern that the infant will be lost to follow-up. Infants should be rescreened by the time that they are 14 days old if the initial screening was done when the infant was 24 to 48 hours old.
Question 5 of 5
The mother explains that after meals her infant has been vomiting, and now it is becoming more frequent and forceful. During the assessment, the nurse notes visible peristaltic waves moving from left to right across the infant's abdomen. On the basis of these findings, which condition should the nurse suspect?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In pyloric stenosis, the vomitus contains sour, undigested food but no bile, the child is constipated, and visible peristaltic waves move from left to right across the abdomen. A movable, palpable, firm, olive-shaped mass in the right upper quadrant may be noted. Crying during the evening hours, appearing to be in pain, but eating well and gaining weight are clinical manifestations of colic. An infant who suddenly becomes pale, cries out, and draws the legs up to the chest is demonstrating physical signs of intussusception. Ribbon-like stool, bile-stained emesis, the absence of peristalsis, and abdominal distention are symptoms of congenital megacolon (Hirschsprung's disease).