Nursing Process Exam Questions

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hypomagnesemia. Dehydration can lead to electrolyte imbalances, and hypomagnesemia can cause confusion in elderly patients. Magnesium plays a crucial role in brain function and its deficiency can result in cognitive impairment. Hyponatremia (A) typically presents with symptoms like weakness and confusion but not necessarily dehydration. Hypercalcemia (B) and hyperkalemia (C) are less likely to cause confusion in this scenario. Therefore, hypomagnesemia is the most likely electrolyte imbalance involved in the elderly nursing home resident's confusion.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because using the client's own words in quotation marks ensures accurate representation of their subjective data. It maintains the integrity of the information provided by the client and improves communication between healthcare providers. Paraphrasing (choice B) may lead to misinterpretation or distortion of the client's statements. Validating with the client's family (choice C) may introduce bias or inaccurate information. Recording with nonspecific words (choice D) decreases the clarity and specificity of the documentation, which is essential for effective communication and decision-making in healthcare.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the assessment findings of pericarditis, photosensitivity, polyarthralgia, and painful mucous membrane ulcers are classic manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Pericarditis can present as chest pain aggravated by deep breathing or lying flat, photosensitivity refers to skin rashes triggered by sunlight exposure, polyarthralgia involves joint pain in multiple joints, and painful mucous membrane ulcers are common in the mouth or nose. These findings align with the diagnostic criteria for SLE. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not align with the typical presentation of SLE. Choice A includes facial erythema which is a common symptom, but the presence of profuse proteinuria, pleuritis, fever, and weight loss are not specific to SLE. Choices C and D include symptoms like weight gain, hypothermia, and edema which are not characteristic of SLE. In summary

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Drop in blood pressure and rise in heart rate. After a splenectomy, the client is at risk for orthostatic hypotension due to decreased blood volume. A drop in blood pressure and a compensatory rise in heart rate are common orthostatic changes. This occurs because the body tries to maintain perfusion to vital organs. A rise in blood pressure and heart rate (Choice A) would not align with orthostatic changes. A rise in blood pressure and drop in heart rate (Choice B) is contradictory to the body's compensatory response to maintain perfusion. Therefore, the most supportive vital sign values for abnormal orthostatic changes in this client would be a drop in blood pressure and a rise in heart rate.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Romberg�s test. Romberg�s test assesses a patient's ability to maintain balance with eyes closed, relying on proprioception from the lower limbs. A lumbar injury can affect proprioception, leading to impaired balance. Rhine�s test evaluates auditory function, not affected by a lumbar injury. Pupillary reaction assesses cranial nerve function, unrelated to a lumbar injury. The patellar reflex is a deep tendon reflex, primarily involving the spinal cord segments L2-L4, not directly affected by a lumbar injury.