NUR 235 Test 3 UPDATED ACTUAL
Questions and CORRECT Answers
The caregiver of a patient with suspected pancreatitis asks the nurse why both serum amylase
and serum lipase tests are being done if they are both enzymes related to the pancreas. Which
explanation by the nurse accurately explains why both are being done? - CORRECT
ANSWER - "The serum amylase can be high due to other causes, so we also run the serum
lipase."
Which statement best describes the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Inflammation activates enzymes, resulting in autodigestion within the
pancreas.
The nurse is evaluating a patient in the emergency department for suspected pancreatitis. Which
factors, if present in the patient history or current assessment, would increase the risk for
pancreatitis? - CORRECT ANSWER - History of gallstones
Presence of biliary sludge
African American ethnicity
30 pack year history of smoking
Following teaching, the nurse is evaluating the patient's understanding of the need for both an
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), plus endoscopic sphincterotomy, and
a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Which statement by the patient indicates the need for further
teaching? - CORRECT ANSWER - "A laparoscopic cholecystectomy visualizes the colon,
and the ERCP removes the gallstones."
The nurse is reviewing the current prescriptions for a patient with pancreatitis. Following a
recent assessment, the patient was found to have decreased bowel sounds and abdominal
distention. Which current medication order would the nurse question for this patient? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Dicyclomine
The nurse is awaiting orders for a patient being admitted from the emergency room for
conservative therapy for pancreatitis. The nurse would include which goals in the plan of care for
the newly admitted patient? - CORRECT ANSWER - Patient will remain free of infection.
,Patient will verbalize understanding of NPO status.
Fluid and electrolyte levels are within normal limits.
Patient will rate pain at less than 2 in a 24-hour period.
Which assessment finding would demonstrate the efficacy of pancreatic enzyme replacement? -
CORRECT ANSWER - No evidence of steatorrhea
A patient presents to the primary care provider one week after hospital discharge for an episode
of acute pancreatitis. The patient reports a fever that has lasted for the last few days and stools
have had a "really foul smell" and "appear greasy." A finger stick for blood glucose indicates a
glucose level of 220 mg/dL. Which does the nurse suspect may be occurring? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Further pancreatic destruction
The nurse is caring for a patient with diagnosed acute pancreatitis and notes a recent elevation in
temperature, a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/minute, and a few crackles in the bases of the lungs.
Which actions by the nurse would best address the patient's current situation? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Obtain O2 saturation level
Elevate the bed to semi-Fowler's position
Instruct patient on incentive spirometry use
Which laboratory findings would the nurse expect when providing care for a patient with low
levels of parathyroid hormone?
Decreased calcium levels
Increased potassium levels
Decreased phosphate levels
Increase magnesium levels - CORRECT ANSWER - Decreased calcium levels
Which instruction is highest priority when the nurse is developing a teaching plan for a patient
with Addison's disease?
,Avoiding infection
Wearing a medic alert bracelet
Practicing stress-management techniques
Managing lifelong corticosteroid replacement - CORRECT ANSWER - Managing lifelong
corticosteroid replacement
When discussing long-term management of Addison's disease with a patient, the nurse would
include which self-care management measures? SATA
Follow a low-sodium diet
When taking antacids, decrease corticosteroid medication
Notify the health care provider whenever experiencing vomiting or diarrhea
Take extra medication when experiencing either physical or emotional stress
Take corticosteroids subcutaneously if unable to take orally. - CORRECT ANSWER -
Notify the health care provider whenever experiencing vomiting or diarrhea
Take extra medication when experiencing either physical or emotional stress
Which symptoms would the nurse assess in a patient who has Addison's disease? SATA
Weight gain
Hyperpigmentation
Weakness and fatigue
Orthostatic hypotension
Think skin with ecchymosis - CORRECT ANSWER - Hyperpigmentation
Weakness and fatigue
Orthostatic hypotension
Which course of action would be taken if a patient has developed Cushing syndrome due to the
prolonged administration of corticosteroid hormonal therapy?
, Withholding therapy for a few days
Conversion to an alternate-week regimen
Abrupt discontinuance of corticosteroids
Gradual discontinuance of corticosteroids - CORRECT ANSWER - Gradual
discontinuance of corticosteroids
The patient is brought to the emergency department following a car accident and is wearing
medical identification that says the patient has Addison's disease. Which collaborative
intervention would be included in the plan of care for this patient?
Low sodium diet
Increase glucocorticoid replacement
Suppression of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone
Elimination of mineralocorticoid replacement. - CORRECT ANSWER - Increased
glucocorticoid replacement
The nurse is performing discharge education for a patient newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism
and is beginning thyroid hormone therapy. Which statement by the patient to the nurse confirms
that discharge teaching was effective?
I should take my levothyroxine every morning before eating my breakfast.
I should only follow up with my doctor if I start having shortness of breath.
I should keep the air conditioning a few degrees colder to help me with sweating.
I should limit the amount of fiber I am eating to help keep me from getting constipated. -
CORRECT ANSWER - I should take my levothyroxine every morning before eating my
breakfast.
Which assessment finding is the highest priority for a patient with myxedema?
Hypothermia
Questions and CORRECT Answers
The caregiver of a patient with suspected pancreatitis asks the nurse why both serum amylase
and serum lipase tests are being done if they are both enzymes related to the pancreas. Which
explanation by the nurse accurately explains why both are being done? - CORRECT
ANSWER - "The serum amylase can be high due to other causes, so we also run the serum
lipase."
Which statement best describes the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Inflammation activates enzymes, resulting in autodigestion within the
pancreas.
The nurse is evaluating a patient in the emergency department for suspected pancreatitis. Which
factors, if present in the patient history or current assessment, would increase the risk for
pancreatitis? - CORRECT ANSWER - History of gallstones
Presence of biliary sludge
African American ethnicity
30 pack year history of smoking
Following teaching, the nurse is evaluating the patient's understanding of the need for both an
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), plus endoscopic sphincterotomy, and
a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Which statement by the patient indicates the need for further
teaching? - CORRECT ANSWER - "A laparoscopic cholecystectomy visualizes the colon,
and the ERCP removes the gallstones."
The nurse is reviewing the current prescriptions for a patient with pancreatitis. Following a
recent assessment, the patient was found to have decreased bowel sounds and abdominal
distention. Which current medication order would the nurse question for this patient? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Dicyclomine
The nurse is awaiting orders for a patient being admitted from the emergency room for
conservative therapy for pancreatitis. The nurse would include which goals in the plan of care for
the newly admitted patient? - CORRECT ANSWER - Patient will remain free of infection.
,Patient will verbalize understanding of NPO status.
Fluid and electrolyte levels are within normal limits.
Patient will rate pain at less than 2 in a 24-hour period.
Which assessment finding would demonstrate the efficacy of pancreatic enzyme replacement? -
CORRECT ANSWER - No evidence of steatorrhea
A patient presents to the primary care provider one week after hospital discharge for an episode
of acute pancreatitis. The patient reports a fever that has lasted for the last few days and stools
have had a "really foul smell" and "appear greasy." A finger stick for blood glucose indicates a
glucose level of 220 mg/dL. Which does the nurse suspect may be occurring? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Further pancreatic destruction
The nurse is caring for a patient with diagnosed acute pancreatitis and notes a recent elevation in
temperature, a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/minute, and a few crackles in the bases of the lungs.
Which actions by the nurse would best address the patient's current situation? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Obtain O2 saturation level
Elevate the bed to semi-Fowler's position
Instruct patient on incentive spirometry use
Which laboratory findings would the nurse expect when providing care for a patient with low
levels of parathyroid hormone?
Decreased calcium levels
Increased potassium levels
Decreased phosphate levels
Increase magnesium levels - CORRECT ANSWER - Decreased calcium levels
Which instruction is highest priority when the nurse is developing a teaching plan for a patient
with Addison's disease?
,Avoiding infection
Wearing a medic alert bracelet
Practicing stress-management techniques
Managing lifelong corticosteroid replacement - CORRECT ANSWER - Managing lifelong
corticosteroid replacement
When discussing long-term management of Addison's disease with a patient, the nurse would
include which self-care management measures? SATA
Follow a low-sodium diet
When taking antacids, decrease corticosteroid medication
Notify the health care provider whenever experiencing vomiting or diarrhea
Take extra medication when experiencing either physical or emotional stress
Take corticosteroids subcutaneously if unable to take orally. - CORRECT ANSWER -
Notify the health care provider whenever experiencing vomiting or diarrhea
Take extra medication when experiencing either physical or emotional stress
Which symptoms would the nurse assess in a patient who has Addison's disease? SATA
Weight gain
Hyperpigmentation
Weakness and fatigue
Orthostatic hypotension
Think skin with ecchymosis - CORRECT ANSWER - Hyperpigmentation
Weakness and fatigue
Orthostatic hypotension
Which course of action would be taken if a patient has developed Cushing syndrome due to the
prolonged administration of corticosteroid hormonal therapy?
, Withholding therapy for a few days
Conversion to an alternate-week regimen
Abrupt discontinuance of corticosteroids
Gradual discontinuance of corticosteroids - CORRECT ANSWER - Gradual
discontinuance of corticosteroids
The patient is brought to the emergency department following a car accident and is wearing
medical identification that says the patient has Addison's disease. Which collaborative
intervention would be included in the plan of care for this patient?
Low sodium diet
Increase glucocorticoid replacement
Suppression of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone
Elimination of mineralocorticoid replacement. - CORRECT ANSWER - Increased
glucocorticoid replacement
The nurse is performing discharge education for a patient newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism
and is beginning thyroid hormone therapy. Which statement by the patient to the nurse confirms
that discharge teaching was effective?
I should take my levothyroxine every morning before eating my breakfast.
I should only follow up with my doctor if I start having shortness of breath.
I should keep the air conditioning a few degrees colder to help me with sweating.
I should limit the amount of fiber I am eating to help keep me from getting constipated. -
CORRECT ANSWER - I should take my levothyroxine every morning before eating my
breakfast.
Which assessment finding is the highest priority for a patient with myxedema?
Hypothermia
