An adult is being treated with phenytoin (Dilantin) for a seizure disorder. Five days after starting the medication, he tells the nurse that his urine is reddish-brown in color. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Inform him that this is a common side effect of phenytoin (Dilantin) therapy
- B. Test the urine for occult blood
- C. Report it to the physician because it could indicate a clotting deficiency
- D. Send a urine specimen to the lab
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Phenytoin commonly causes reddish-brown urine, a benign side effect, so informing the client is appropriate. Testing or reporting is unnecessary unless other symptoms suggest a problem.
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The client is complaining of ringing in the ears. Which data are most appropriate for the nurse to document in the client's chart?
- A. Complaints of vertigo.
- B. Complaints of otorrhea.
- C. Complaints of tinnitus.
- D. Complaints of presbycusis.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ringing in the ears is tinnitus, the appropriate term to document. Vertigo, otorrhea, and presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) are distinct symptoms.
The nurse is teaching the client who has otitis media. To reduce the risk of recurrent otitis media, which vaccine should the nurse recommend?
- A. Varicella vaccine
- B. Pneumococcal vaccine
- C. Typhoid vaccine
- D. Zoster vaccine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pneumococcal vaccine can reduce the risk of ear infections. Varicella, typhoid, and zoster vaccines prevent other conditions.
Which recommendation should the nurse suggest to an elderly client who lives alone when discussing normal developmental changes of the olfactory organs?
- A. Suggest installing multiple smoke alarms in the home.
- B. Recommend using a night-light in the hallway and bathroom.
- C. Discuss keeping a high-humidity atmosphere in the bedroom.
- D. Encourage the client to smell food prior to eating it.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Olfactory decline reduces smoke detection, making multiple smoke alarms critical for safety. Night-lights address vision, humidity is unrelated, and smelling food is unreliable.
What should the nurse include when teaching the client with Parkinson's disease?
- A. He should try to continue working as long as he can remain sitting most of the day.
- B. Drooling may be reduced somewhat if he remembers to swallow frequently.
- C. He should return monthly for lab tests, which will predict the progression of the disease.
- D. Emotional stress has no effect on voluntary muscle control in clients with Parkinson's disease.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Frequent swallowing can reduce drooling, a common symptom in Parkinson's disease, improving comfort and social interaction.
The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Which assessment information should the nurse determine first when placing the client in the assigned room?
- A. Determine if the client has loss of vision in the same half of each visual field.
- B. Find out if the client prefers the bed by the window or by the bathroom.
- C. Request dietary to place the meat at 12:00 on each plate and vegetables at 09:00 and 15:00.
- D. Request a physical therapy consult to assess the client's mobility issues.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Homonymous hemianopia (loss of half the visual field) from a CVA affects safety and orientation, requiring immediate assessment. Bed preference, dietary setup, and PT consults are secondary.