RN Registered Nurse: Reduction of Risk Potential 5

Question 1

A nurse is assessing a patient who has been receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for 5 days. Which laboratory finding indicates the highest risk complication?

Accepted Answer

Phosphorus of 1.2 mg/dL

Answer

Severe hypophosphatemia in a patient receiving TPN suggests refeeding syndrome, a potentially fatal metabolic complication.

Question 2

A nurse is caring for a patient who is 6 hours post-coronary angiography via the right femoral artery. Which assessment finding is most concerning?

Accepted Answer

A large expanding hematoma at the puncture site

Answer

An expanding hematoma at the femoral access site indicates active bleeding and potential vascular injury requiring immediate intervention.

Question 3

The nurse is caring for a patient with a serum sodium of 118 mEq/L receiving a hypertonic saline infusion. The nurse should monitor the patient most carefully for which complication?

Accepted Answer

Osmotic demyelination syndrome

Answer

Correcting hyponatremia too rapidly with hypertonic saline can cause osmotic demyelination syndrome, leading to permanent neurological damage.

Question 4

A nurse caring for a patient in Buck's traction discovers that the weights are resting on the floor. What should the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Reposition the patient so the weights hang freely

Answer

Traction is only effective when weights hang freely; resting weights eliminate the therapeutic pull needed to maintain alignment.

Question 5

A nurse notes that a patient's urine output has been 20 mL/hour for the past 3 hours. What is the nurse's priority action?

Accepted Answer

Notify the provider and assess for contributing factors

Answer

Urine output below 30 mL/hour indicates oliguria and potential renal hypoperfusion, which requires provider notification and prompt assessment.

RN - Registered Nurse Practice Test

RN - Registered Nurse Practice Test

RN Registered Nurse: Reduction of Risk Potential 5