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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

  1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance is the most common adverse effect the LPN should monitor?

    Answer: Hypokalemia

    Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant urinary potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia as its most common electrolyte adverse effect.

  2. A patient with acute pancreatitis has a serum calcium of 7.0 mg/dL. Which assessment finding is consistent with hypocalcemia?

    Answer: Positive Trousseau's sign

    Trousseau's sign (carpal spasm when BP cuff is inflated) is a classic bedside test for hypocalcemia indicating neuromuscular excitability.

  3. A patient develops respiratory alkalosis. Which condition is the most likely cause?

    Answer: Hyperventilation due to anxiety

    Hyperventilation blows off CO2, raising pH and causing respiratory alkalosis; anxiety is a common precipitating cause.

  4. A patient with burns over 40% of the body surface area is in the emergent phase (first 24 hours). The priority fluid replacement is:

    Answer: Lactated Ringer's solution

    Lactated Ringer's is the standard isotonic crystalloid for burn resuscitation in the emergent phase to replace fluid lost from capillary leakage.

  5. Which clinical finding indicates increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in an adult patient?

    Answer: Cushing's triad: hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations

    Cushing's triad (widened pulse pressure with hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations) is a late, ominous sign of severely elevated ICP.

  6. A patient with type 1 diabetes presents with Kussmaul respirations, fruity breath, and blood glucose of 450 mg/dL. These findings indicate:

    Answer: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

    DKA is characterized by the triad of hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and ketonemia; Kussmaul breathing and fruity breath are compensatory and diagnostic signs.

  7. A patient recovering from a spinal cord injury at T6 suddenly develops pounding headache, bradycardia, and blood pressure of 210/110 mmHg. The LPN should first:

    Answer: Sit the patient upright and identify the noxious stimulus

    Autonomic dysreflexia requires immediately sitting the patient upright (lowers BP) and removing the triggering stimulus (most often a full bladder or bowel).