A health care provider's prescription reads potassium chloride 20 mEq in 1000 mL normal
saline and infuse at 100 mL/hr. The nurse assisting in caring for the client determines that
the client will receive how many milliequivalents (mEq) of potassium every hour? Fill in the
blank.
Rationale:
Use the ratio and proportion formula to solve this problem, and then solve for x.
20 mEq: 1000 mL :: x mg: 100 mL
Multiply means and extremes then divide to solve for x.
1000x = 2000x = 2 mEq
Penicillin V 250 mg orally every 8 hours, is prescribed for a child with a respiratory infection.
The child's weight is 45 pounds. The safe pediatric dosage is 25 to 50 mg/kg/day. Which
statement accurately describes the prescribed dosage for this child?
Rationale:
Convert pounds to kilograms by dividing by 2.2 and then determine the dosage
frequency.Pounds to kilograms:45 lb ÷ 2.2 lb/kg = 20.45 kgDosage parameters:25
mg/kg/day × 20.45 kg = 511.25 mg/day50 mg/kg/day × 20.45 kg = 1022.5 mg/dayDosage
frequency:250 mg × 3 doses (every 8 hours) = 750 mg/dayThe dosage is within the safe
dosage range.
The nurse is assigned to care for an Asian-American client. The nurse develops a plan of care
based on which belief?
Rationale:
Asian Americans believe that illness is caused by an imbalance between yin and yang, by
prolonged sitting or lying, or by overexertion. In the African-American culture, illness is
viewed as a disharmonious state that may be caused by demons and spirits. Native
Americans believe that illness is caused by supernatural forces.
An anxious client is experiencing respiratory alkalosis from hyperventilation as a result of
anxiety. The nurse should do which action to help the client experiencing this acid-base
disorder?
Rationale:
An anxious client benefits from emotional support and reassurance, which in turn reduces
anxiety and may lower the respiratory rate. The client may benefit from the administration
of a sedative or antianxiety medication, if it is prescribed. The client should try to breathe
more slowly and shallowly. Lying supine provides no benefit to the client.
The nurse is assisting in the care of a client receiving codeine sulfate for pain. The nurse
should make note of which finding to detect an adverse effect of this medication?
Rationale:
The client taking codeine sulfate is at risk for constipation. Thus, the nurse monitors the
frequency of bowel movements. The nurse also would monitor the client for hypotension,
decreased respirations, and urinary retention. The nurse would plan measures to counteract
these expected effects such as encouraging fluids, coughing and deep breathing, and
increasing mobility to the extent tolerated by the client.
A client who takes theophylline (Theo-24) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
is seen in the health care clinic. A theophylline level is drawn, and the nurse determines that
the client is compliant with the medication regimen if which laboratory result is reported?
,Test-Taking Strategy:
Focus on the subject, administration of theophylline, and note the word compliant.
Familiarity with the therapeutic level of theophylline is needed to select the correct option.
Remember that the therapeutic range for the serum theophylline level is 10 to 20 mcg/mL.
Review:
Therapeutic range of theophylline.
The health care provider prescribes ibuprofen (children's Motrin) 5 mg per kg for a child who
weighs 13 pounds. How many milligrams (mg) should the nurse administer to the child? Fill
in the blank. Record your answer using one decimal place.
Rationale:
A child who weighs 13 pounds weighs 5.9 kg. This is determined by dividing 13 by 2.2 to
obtain the weight in kilograms (1 kg = 2.2 lb). Once that is determined, 5.9 is multiplied by 5
mg to yield 29.5 mg.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamental Skills: Medication/IV Calculations
Strategy(ies): Subject
Priority Concepts: Clinical Judgment, Safety
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl) 25 mg orally every 6 hours is prescribed for a
child with an allergic reaction. The child weighs 25 kg. The safe pediatric dosage is 5
mg/kg/day. What should the nurse determine about the medication dosage?
Rationale:
Calculate the dosage parameters using the safe dosage range identified in the question and
the child's weight in kilograms. Next, determine the total daily dosage.Dosage parameters: 5
mg/kg × 25 kg = 125 mg/dayDosage frequency: 25 mg × 4 doses = 100 mg/dayThe dosage
is safe.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Analyzing
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Data Collection
Content Area: Fundamental Skills: Medication/IV Calculations
Strategy(ies): Subject
Priority Concepts: Clinical Judgment, Safety
A health care provider's prescription reads triazolam (Halcion), 125 mcg orally at bedtime
daily. The medication bottle is labeled triazolam, 0.125-mg tablets. The nurse prepares how
many tablet(s) to administer 1 dose? Fill in the blank.
Rationale:
Convert 125 mcg to mg. In the metric system, to convert smaller to larger, divide by 1000 or
move the decimal three places to the left. Therefore, 125 mcg = 0.125 mg. One tablet is
administered.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning
Content Area: Fundamental Skills: Medication/IV Calculations
, Strategy(ies): Subject
Priority Concepts: Clinical Judgment, Safety
A child with leukemia is experiencing nausea related to medication therapy. The nurse,
concerned about the child's nutritional status, should offer which during an episode of
nausea?
Rationale:
When the child is nauseated, it is best to offer frequent intake of cool, clear liquids in small
amounts because small portions are usually better tolerated. Cool, clear fluids are also
soothing and better tolerated when a client is nauseated. It is best not to offer favorite foods
when the child is nauseated because foods eaten during times of nausea will be associated
with being sick. It is best to offer small, frequent meals of high-protein and high-calorie
content once the nausea has been controlled with medication or has subsided.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamental Skills: Nutrition
Strategy(ies): Subject
Priority Concepts: Cellular Regulation, Nutrition
The nurse is caring for an older client who had a hip pinned after being fractured. In planning
nursing care, which should the nurse avoid to minimize the chance for further injury?
Rationale:
Safe nursing actions intended to prevent injury to the client include keeping side rails up,
having the bed in a low position, and providing a call bell that is within the client's reach.
Responding promptly to the client's use of the call light minimizes the chance that the client
will try to get up alone, which could result in a fall.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamental Skills: Safety
Strategy(ies): Subject
Priority Concepts: Clinical Judgment, Safety
The nurse is caring for a client with kidney failure. The nurse is told that the blood gas
results indicate a pH of 7.30 and a HCO3– of 20 mm Hg, and that the client is experiencing
metabolic acidosis. The nurse reviews the laboratory results and expects to note which?
Rationale:
Signs/symptoms of metabolic acidosis include weakness, malaise, and headache.
Hyperkalemia will occur because the cells will draw hydrogen into the cell and in exchange
will push potassium out of the cell into the blood. The pH will be lower than 7.35, and the
HCO3– ion level will be lower than 22 mEq/L. The remaining options identify normal
laboratory values, whereas a potassium level of 5.6 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Analyzing
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Data Collection
Content Area: Fundamental Skills: Acid-Base
saline and infuse at 100 mL/hr. The nurse assisting in caring for the client determines that
the client will receive how many milliequivalents (mEq) of potassium every hour? Fill in the
blank.
Rationale:
Use the ratio and proportion formula to solve this problem, and then solve for x.
20 mEq: 1000 mL :: x mg: 100 mL
Multiply means and extremes then divide to solve for x.
1000x = 2000x = 2 mEq
Penicillin V 250 mg orally every 8 hours, is prescribed for a child with a respiratory infection.
The child's weight is 45 pounds. The safe pediatric dosage is 25 to 50 mg/kg/day. Which
statement accurately describes the prescribed dosage for this child?
Rationale:
Convert pounds to kilograms by dividing by 2.2 and then determine the dosage
frequency.Pounds to kilograms:45 lb ÷ 2.2 lb/kg = 20.45 kgDosage parameters:25
mg/kg/day × 20.45 kg = 511.25 mg/day50 mg/kg/day × 20.45 kg = 1022.5 mg/dayDosage
frequency:250 mg × 3 doses (every 8 hours) = 750 mg/dayThe dosage is within the safe
dosage range.
The nurse is assigned to care for an Asian-American client. The nurse develops a plan of care
based on which belief?
Rationale:
Asian Americans believe that illness is caused by an imbalance between yin and yang, by
prolonged sitting or lying, or by overexertion. In the African-American culture, illness is
viewed as a disharmonious state that may be caused by demons and spirits. Native
Americans believe that illness is caused by supernatural forces.
An anxious client is experiencing respiratory alkalosis from hyperventilation as a result of
anxiety. The nurse should do which action to help the client experiencing this acid-base
disorder?
Rationale:
An anxious client benefits from emotional support and reassurance, which in turn reduces
anxiety and may lower the respiratory rate. The client may benefit from the administration
of a sedative or antianxiety medication, if it is prescribed. The client should try to breathe
more slowly and shallowly. Lying supine provides no benefit to the client.
The nurse is assisting in the care of a client receiving codeine sulfate for pain. The nurse
should make note of which finding to detect an adverse effect of this medication?
Rationale:
The client taking codeine sulfate is at risk for constipation. Thus, the nurse monitors the
frequency of bowel movements. The nurse also would monitor the client for hypotension,
decreased respirations, and urinary retention. The nurse would plan measures to counteract
these expected effects such as encouraging fluids, coughing and deep breathing, and
increasing mobility to the extent tolerated by the client.
A client who takes theophylline (Theo-24) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
is seen in the health care clinic. A theophylline level is drawn, and the nurse determines that
the client is compliant with the medication regimen if which laboratory result is reported?
,Test-Taking Strategy:
Focus on the subject, administration of theophylline, and note the word compliant.
Familiarity with the therapeutic level of theophylline is needed to select the correct option.
Remember that the therapeutic range for the serum theophylline level is 10 to 20 mcg/mL.
Review:
Therapeutic range of theophylline.
The health care provider prescribes ibuprofen (children's Motrin) 5 mg per kg for a child who
weighs 13 pounds. How many milligrams (mg) should the nurse administer to the child? Fill
in the blank. Record your answer using one decimal place.
Rationale:
A child who weighs 13 pounds weighs 5.9 kg. This is determined by dividing 13 by 2.2 to
obtain the weight in kilograms (1 kg = 2.2 lb). Once that is determined, 5.9 is multiplied by 5
mg to yield 29.5 mg.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamental Skills: Medication/IV Calculations
Strategy(ies): Subject
Priority Concepts: Clinical Judgment, Safety
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl) 25 mg orally every 6 hours is prescribed for a
child with an allergic reaction. The child weighs 25 kg. The safe pediatric dosage is 5
mg/kg/day. What should the nurse determine about the medication dosage?
Rationale:
Calculate the dosage parameters using the safe dosage range identified in the question and
the child's weight in kilograms. Next, determine the total daily dosage.Dosage parameters: 5
mg/kg × 25 kg = 125 mg/dayDosage frequency: 25 mg × 4 doses = 100 mg/dayThe dosage
is safe.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Analyzing
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Data Collection
Content Area: Fundamental Skills: Medication/IV Calculations
Strategy(ies): Subject
Priority Concepts: Clinical Judgment, Safety
A health care provider's prescription reads triazolam (Halcion), 125 mcg orally at bedtime
daily. The medication bottle is labeled triazolam, 0.125-mg tablets. The nurse prepares how
many tablet(s) to administer 1 dose? Fill in the blank.
Rationale:
Convert 125 mcg to mg. In the metric system, to convert smaller to larger, divide by 1000 or
move the decimal three places to the left. Therefore, 125 mcg = 0.125 mg. One tablet is
administered.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Planning
Content Area: Fundamental Skills: Medication/IV Calculations
, Strategy(ies): Subject
Priority Concepts: Clinical Judgment, Safety
A child with leukemia is experiencing nausea related to medication therapy. The nurse,
concerned about the child's nutritional status, should offer which during an episode of
nausea?
Rationale:
When the child is nauseated, it is best to offer frequent intake of cool, clear liquids in small
amounts because small portions are usually better tolerated. Cool, clear fluids are also
soothing and better tolerated when a client is nauseated. It is best not to offer favorite foods
when the child is nauseated because foods eaten during times of nausea will be associated
with being sick. It is best to offer small, frequent meals of high-protein and high-calorie
content once the nausea has been controlled with medication or has subsided.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamental Skills: Nutrition
Strategy(ies): Subject
Priority Concepts: Cellular Regulation, Nutrition
The nurse is caring for an older client who had a hip pinned after being fractured. In planning
nursing care, which should the nurse avoid to minimize the chance for further injury?
Rationale:
Safe nursing actions intended to prevent injury to the client include keeping side rails up,
having the bed in a low position, and providing a call bell that is within the client's reach.
Responding promptly to the client's use of the call light minimizes the chance that the client
will try to get up alone, which could result in a fall.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
Client Needs: Safe and Effective Care Environment
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Implementation
Content Area: Fundamental Skills: Safety
Strategy(ies): Subject
Priority Concepts: Clinical Judgment, Safety
The nurse is caring for a client with kidney failure. The nurse is told that the blood gas
results indicate a pH of 7.30 and a HCO3– of 20 mm Hg, and that the client is experiencing
metabolic acidosis. The nurse reviews the laboratory results and expects to note which?
Rationale:
Signs/symptoms of metabolic acidosis include weakness, malaise, and headache.
Hyperkalemia will occur because the cells will draw hydrogen into the cell and in exchange
will push potassium out of the cell into the blood. The pH will be lower than 7.35, and the
HCO3– ion level will be lower than 22 mEq/L. The remaining options identify normal
laboratory values, whereas a potassium level of 5.6 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia.
Level of Cognitive Ability: Analyzing
Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
Integrated Process: Nursing Process: Data Collection
Content Area: Fundamental Skills: Acid-Base
