Registered Nurse Flashcards
7 cards from real RN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Registered Nurse flashcards as text
A patient receiving IV vancomycin develops flushing, erythema, and hypotension during the infusion. What is the most likely cause?
Answer: Red man syndrome
Red man syndrome is a rate-related reaction to vancomycin characterized by flushing, erythema, and hypotension that is prevented by slowing the infusion rate.
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. Which finding should prompt the nurse to withhold the dose and notify the provider?
Answer: Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5 mEq/L) potentiates digoxin toxicity by increasing myocardial sensitivity to the drug.
When performing a focused assessment on a patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which finding is most significant?
Answer: Unilateral calf warmth, redness, and tenderness
Unilateral calf warmth, redness, and tenderness are classic signs of DVT, distinguishing it from bilateral or systemic causes.
A nurse is caring for a patient in sickle cell crisis. Which intervention is the highest priority?
Answer: Administer prescribed analgesics
Pain management is the highest priority in sickle cell crisis, as vaso-occlusion causes severe ischemic pain requiring prompt opioid analgesia.
A patient with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. The nurse notes the respiratory rate has dropped to 8 breaths/min. What is the most likely explanation?
Answer: High-flow oxygen suppressed the hypoxic drive
Patients with COPD may rely on hypoxic drive for ventilation; high-flow oxygen can suppress this drive and cause respiratory depression.
A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient and notes the Jackson-Pratt drain output has suddenly decreased and the site is swelling. What should the nurse do first?
Answer: Check that the drain bulb is compressed correctly
A sudden decrease in drain output with site swelling often indicates the bulb is not properly compressed, preventing suction; re-establishing suction resolves the issue.
A nurse is educating a patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about the signs of hypoglycemia. Which symptom should the nurse include?
Answer: Diaphoresis, tremors, and confusion
Hypoglycemia presents with adrenergic symptoms (diaphoresis, tremors) and neuroglycopenic symptoms (confusion) due to low blood glucose.