A patient is prescribed levothyroxine (Synthroid) for hypothyroidism. What is a key point the nurse should include in the patient education?
- A. Take the medication on an empty stomach with a full glass of water to ensure proper absorption.
- B. Do not take this medication with calcium supplements.
- C. Avoid taking this medication with grapefruit juice.
- D. Take the medication with food to enhance absorption.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water, typically 30 minutes to an hour before breakfast, to ensure proper absorption. Taking it with food, calcium supplements, or grapefruit juice can interfere with its absorption. Choice B is incorrect because taking levothyroxine with calcium supplements can reduce its effectiveness. Choice C is incorrect because grapefruit juice can also interfere with levothyroxine absorption. Choice D is incorrect because taking levothyroxine with food can decrease its absorption.
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A client with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is admitted to the hospital. Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?
- A. Administer muscle relaxants as prescribed.
- B. Assist the client with activities of daily living (ADLs).
- C. Provide nutritional support to prevent aspiration.
- D. Encourage the client to participate in physical therapy.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct intervention for a client with ALS is to provide nutritional support to prevent aspiration. ALS causes muscle weakness, including the muscles used for swallowing, increasing the risk of aspiration. Providing proper nutrition and support can help prevent this complication. Administering muscle relaxants (Choice A) may not be suitable for ALS as it can further weaken muscles. While assisting with ADLs (Choice B) and encouraging physical therapy (Choice D) are important aspects of care, the priority for a client with ALS is to prevent complications related to swallowing and nutrition.
A client with cystic fibrosis is admitted with a pulmonary exacerbation. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
- A. Administer a high-calorie, high-protein diet.
- B. Initiate airway clearance techniques.
- C. Encourage the client to maintain an active lifestyle.
- D. Monitor for signs of respiratory distress.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During a pulmonary exacerbation in cystic fibrosis, the priority intervention is to initiate airway clearance techniques. These techniques help clear mucus from the airways, improving ventilation and reducing the risk of respiratory complications. Administering a high-calorie, high-protein diet is beneficial for overall nutrition but is not the priority during an exacerbation. Encouraging an active lifestyle is important for long-term health but does not address the immediate need for managing exacerbations. Monitoring for signs of respiratory distress is important, but initiating airway clearance techniques takes precedence in the management of pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis.
The nurse is planning care for a client with damage to the vestibular area of the vestibulocochlear nerve. What should the nurse include in the plan of care? Select all that apply.
- A. Assistance with ambulation
- B. Regular hearing tests
- C. Monitoring for nausea
- D. Vision assessments
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Damage to the vestibular area affects balance and may cause nausea. Therefore, the nurse should include assistance with ambulation in the care plan to help the client maintain stability while walking. Regular hearing tests (choice B) are not directly related to damage in the vestibular area of the vestibulocochlear nerve. While nausea (choice C) may occur due to vestibular damage, monitoring for it alone is not as essential as providing assistance with ambulation. Vision assessments (choice D) are important for assessing visual function but are not the priority when dealing with vestibular issues.
A patient taking hormonal contraceptives will soon turn 35 years of age. She is moderately obese and has smoked for 15 years. Which of the following is most important?
- A. Begin an exercise regimen.
- B. Begin smoking cessation.
- C. Begin daily aspirin therapy.
- D. Begin taking a loop diuretic to aid weight loss.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most important action for a patient taking hormonal contraceptives, who is nearing 35 years of age, moderately obese, and has a history of smoking for 15 years, is to begin smoking cessation. Women over 35, especially smokers, are at an increased risk of blood clots and cardiovascular issues when using hormonal contraceptives. Smoking cessation is crucial to reduce this risk. Beginning an exercise regimen may be beneficial for overall health but is not as critical as stopping smoking in this scenario. Daily aspirin therapy or taking a loop diuretic are not indicated in this situation and may not address the primary risk associated with hormonal contraceptives and smoking.
Which of the following is not an autoimmune disease?
- A. Multiple sclerosis
- B. Pernicious anemia
- C. Goodpasture syndrome
- D. Transfusion reaction
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, Transfusion reaction. Transfusion reaction is not an autoimmune disease because it occurs when the immune system responds to foreign blood cells, not to the body's own cells. Choices A, B, and C (Multiple sclerosis, Pernicious anemia, Goodpasture syndrome) are autoimmune diseases where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues or organs.