Interpreting Lab Values and Nursing Actions 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 Interpreting Lab Values and Nursing Actions flashcards as text
A patient's BUN is 35 mg/dL and creatinine is 3.2 mg/dL. These values together suggest which condition?
Answer: Impaired renal function
Both elevated BUN and creatinine together indicate impaired glomerular filtration and reduced renal function.
A patient's platelet count is 45,000/mm³. Which nursing intervention is the highest priority?
Answer: Implement bleeding precautions and use soft-bristle toothbrush
Thrombocytopenia (<50,000/mm³) places the patient at severe bleeding risk, requiring strict bleeding precautions.
A patient's fasting blood glucose is 58 mg/dL and they are diaphoretic and trembling. What should the LPN do first?
Answer: Give 15-20 g of fast-acting carbohydrates and recheck glucose in 15 minutes
Symptomatic hypoglycemia requires immediate treatment with 15-20 g of rapid-acting carbohydrates followed by recheck using the 15-15 rule.
A patient's magnesium level is 1.0 mEq/L. Which clinical manifestation should the LPN monitor for?
Answer: Neuromuscular irritability and positive Trousseau's sign
Hypomagnesemia (<1.5 mEq/L) causes neuromuscular irritability; because it often co-exists with hypocalcemia, Trousseau's sign may be positive.
A post-operative patient's hemoglobin drops from 11 g/dL to 7.2 g/dL within 4 hours. What is the priority assessment?
Answer: Assess surgical site for active bleeding and vital signs
A rapid significant hemoglobin drop post-operatively suggests active hemorrhage; immediate assessment of the wound and hemodynamic status is critical.
A patient's serum calcium is 11.8 mg/dL. Which symptom is consistent with this lab result?
Answer: Muscle weakness, constipation, and confusion
Hypercalcemia (>10.5 mg/dL) causes the classic 'bones, groans, moans, and psychic overtones': muscle weakness, constipation, and altered mentation.
A patient's WBC is 1,800/mm³. What is the most important nursing action?
Answer: Implement neutropenic precautions and restrict visitors with illness
Severe leukopenia (<2,000/mm³) indicates high infection risk, requiring protective (neutropenic) precautions to prevent exposure to pathogens.