Physiological Adaptation Flashcards
7 cards from real LPN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Physiological Adaptation flashcards as text
A patient with chronic kidney disease has a serum potassium of 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG change should the LPN anticipate?
Answer: Peaked T waves
Hyperkalemia first manifests on ECG as peaked (tall, narrow) T waves before progressing to widened QRS and sine-wave pattern.
A patient develops sudden-onset wheezing, urticaria, and hypotension after receiving IV penicillin. The priority intervention is to administer:
Answer: Epinephrine 1:1000 IM
Anaphylaxis requires immediate epinephrine 1:1000 IM (usually in the thigh) as the first-line life-saving intervention.
Which assessment finding in a patient with liver cirrhosis indicates hepatic encephalopathy?
Answer: Asterixis (flapping tremor)
Asterixis, a flapping hand tremor elicited by wrist extension, is a hallmark neurological sign of hepatic encephalopathy due to ammonia accumulation.
A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. The LPN should maintain SpO2 at which target range to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive?
Answer: 88–92%
COPD patients rely on hypoxic drive; target SpO2 of 88–92% provides adequate oxygenation without eliminating the hypoxic stimulus to breathe.
A post-operative patient reports sudden pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath. The LPN notes tachycardia and decreased breath sounds on the right. These findings most suggest:
Answer: Pulmonary embolism
Sudden pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, tachycardia, and decreased breath sounds in a post-op patient are classic signs of pulmonary embolism.
A patient with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) will most likely exhibit which lab finding?
Answer: Serum sodium 118 mEq/L
SIADH causes water retention and dilutional hyponatremia; a serum sodium below 135 mEq/L (often severely low) is the defining lab finding.
Which intervention is most important when caring for a patient in thyroid storm?
Answer: Apply cooling blankets and administer propylthiouracil (PTU)
Thyroid storm requires lowering the elevated metabolic rate with cooling measures and blocking thyroid hormone synthesis with PTU or methimazole.