December Test Takers Support Group

WAstateRN · Dec 8, 2007

WAstateRN thanks for the website. i will check it. I think Nursingboy is right that we should give increase protein for pt with nephrotic syndrome. i read somewhere about it too. i get these diet questions wrong all the time. I had so many diet questions on my last test..therefore this time i want to make sure i get them.

i just checked my nursing handouts from my class, for nephrotic syndrome protein should be limited or moderate but not increased.

this is from merck manual notes:

General therapy for nephrotic syndrome includes a diet that contains normal amounts of protein and potassium but that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and sodium. Some doctors recommend limiting the amount of protein in the diet.

narsingboy · Dec 8, 2007

u know its interesting how it is.. the disease process (nephrotic syndrome) says, a loss of protein in the blood is excreted in the urine.. thus presenting proteinuria...

however, based on Saunders Comprehensive review, it states that a Normal to low-protein diet...

(WHICH I SAY I STAND CORRECTED)

but the thing is, there's a loss of protein in the system already and a potential for more loss..

my point though is...

shouldnt it follow that since ur losing protein in your body, that a INCREASE CHON diet should be prescribed?

but still i stand corrected, in my fault on that, i just checked Saunders. thanks for clearing that up :)

WAstateRN · Dec 8, 2007

u know its interesting how it is.. the disease process (nephrotic syndrome) says, a loss of protein in the blood is excreted in the urine.. thus presenting proteinuria...
however, based on saunders comprehensive review, it states that a normal to low-protein diet...
(which i say i stand corrected)
but the thing is, there's a loss of protein in the system already and a potential for more loss..
my point though is...
shouldnt it follow that since ur losing protein in your body, that a increase chon diet should be prescribed?
but still i stand corrected, in my fault on that, i just checked saunders. thanks for clearing that up :)

i totally understand what you mean.....loss of protein in urine requires replacement of protein because too much blood protein loss can result in malnutrition which may be masked by edema in case of nephrotic syndrome.

(from multiple resources)

however increased protein is not recommended in nephrotic syndrome because treatment of nephrotic syndrome focuses on reducing high cholesterol, blood pressure, and protein in urine through diet, medications, or both.some people may benefit from limiting protein in their diet to reduce the buildup of wastes in the blood esp. in adult nephrotic syndrome in which underlying cause is a kidney disease such as membranous nephropathy or glomerulonephritis. in peds nephrotic syndrome usually is caused by a condition other than underlying kidney disease which can be successfully treated with prednisone, in which case you can give increase protein. but adult nephrotic syndrome is a result of other underlying kidney disease and increased protein is not recommended, only normal or moderate or even decreased protein is recommended.

in a logical way, you are correct but in practice it might not be so practical. it is controversial how about that.

anyway if i had a question in nclex about nephrotic syndrome, i would definitely not pick increase protein except peds. :uhoh3:

sharasu_rn · Dec 8, 2007

To all future NCLEX takers especially from the December Group

I would like to share to you my experience and preparation with the exam. I studied for about 2 1/2 months. I used Saunder's comprehensive book (i have not read the entire book from cover to cover but i was able to answer all the test questions after each chapter). I was more focused on doing practice questions. i did NCLEX 3000, Kaplan QT, Lippincott 8th ed., and some of EXam Cram and of course the CD that came with the Saunders book. i answered all the questions twice and i really mean twice..i could already even memorize the questions, choices and answers. It reinforced my knowledge all the more. if i could remember it right i answered about 300-500 questions a day. i know others would think that it is absurd, yah i know however it worked really great for me. the pressure to accomplish my daily goal really pushed me through. i passed the NCLEX with 75 questions, and it's quite amusing that after the 8000 more or less questions that i have answered, i only had 75 questions in the real test..lol..

My personal advice to all Nclex takers, take your precious time in going over the questions in the REal exam. dont rush and stay calm as possible. free your mind from worries and concentrate. if u do not know the answer, take a deep breath, say a little prayer and in a little while you'll be able to let go. whether you answered that item correct or wrong if u maintained your composure you will be able to perform well throughout the entire test.

May God Bless all of us! and may the blessing of knowledge and wisdom shower upon all NCLEX takers especially this month of december.

massou · Dec 9, 2007

Thanks for sharing your story.

imhopeful · Dec 9, 2007

Hi everyone. I took my exam yesterday for the 2nd time. The 1st one ... I had 194, 2n dtime was 265. yes I had the whole exam. I left there feeling pretty good. I had 9 select all, 5 computaions, lot sof meds, priority, teaching, deldations and so on. my lst qs was definitely application qs because it was like " initial " " first " or "prioruty assessment " ... i am not very sure if i got it right. any advice or take on this. I need to pass. I have been praying everyday and going to church a lot. I know it helps Tuesday is when I will find out. Please pray for me. Thank you.

cash · Dec 9, 2007

I will keep you in my prayer

ergito2 · Dec 9, 2007

I will keep you in my prayer, imhopeful. Your test sounds like a good indicator with lots of higher level of questions. Keep us updated.

imhopeful · Dec 10, 2007

ergito2 and cash ... thank you so much. in time of need ... prayer and this site are very helpful. i can vent without being judged. ergito ... you really made my day besides going to mass this morning of course. i really hope you are right and my instinct this time is right. i will need all the prayers i can get during this time.

to all december takers ... good luck and i hope that we all pass. whatever the number is ... let us support one another so we can all succeed in the end.

purna12 · Dec 10, 2007

2b_bsrn0523.........................dec 11th

2b_bsrn0523 tommorow is the big day for you. good luck for your test. we will pray for you. i know god will help us. stay positive and think postive...you can do it.!!!! anyway just want to say good luck. mine is coming soon too..!!!

purna12 · Dec 10, 2007

Hey guys, i am sorry for asking too many questions. But i thought it is better to make clear than being confused while giving test. The question is when pt is in V-fib. Do we do defibrilation first or CPR first??? B'coz kaplan says do CPR first and Saunders says defibrilation first. I came across this question while i was doing questions from PDA and it also said defibrilation. could you please make me clear about it.. thanks in advance

massou · Dec 10, 2007

I read in two books that with ventricular fibrillation you always defribillate first before you start with the standard protocol. Ventricullar fibrillation is very serious. Collapse and sudden cardiac death can follow, so the heart needs to be shocked with the defribillator. The heart loses its ability to pump. And loss of cardiac output creates a global tissue ischemia, brain and myocardium are more susceptible. That is the reason why defribillator is much more efficient than CPR in V-Fibrillation . I hope this helps.