Nokea
A client with a history of a ventricular tachycardia is receiving Amiodarone (Cordarone). The nurse should monitor the client for:
- A. Hypotension
- B. Hyperglycemia
- C. Hypokalemia
- D. Pulmonary toxicity
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause pulmonary toxicity, a serious side effect requiring monitoring for cough or dyspnea. Hypotension is possible but less specific, and hyperglycemia/hypokalemia are unrelated.
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An alcoholic client who is completing the inpatient segment of a substance abuse program was placed on disulfiram (Antabuse) drug therapy. What should the nurse include in the discharge instructions?
- A. If disulfiram is taken and alcohol ingested, the client experiences nausea, vomiting and elevated blood pressure.
- B. Disulfiram is most effective when prescribed as late as possible in a recovery program.
- C. Disulfiram works on the desensitization principle.
- D. The effects of disulfiram can be triggered by alcohol 5 days to 2 weeks after the drug is discontinued.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When alcohol is ingested with disulfiram therapy, the client experiences nausea, vomiting, and a potentially serious drop in blood pressure. Disulfiram is most successful when used early in the recovery process while the individual makes major lifestyle changes necessary for long-term recovery. Disulfiram works on the classical conditioning principle. The effects of disulfiram can be felt when alcohol is ingested 1-2 weeks after disulfiram is discontinued.
Which guidelines would hamper staff learning and compliance?
- A. Provide scientific information regarding nosocomial infections.
- B. Clarify information with staff during each session.
- C. Acknowledge resistance of staff to changes in policies.
- D. Utilize diagrams to provide information.
- E. Provide all information needed to the staff on the first session.
- F. Tell the staff that changes were mandated by hospital policy.
- G. Send a memo regarding errors in IV site care procedure.
Correct Answer: E, F, G
Rationale: Providing all information in one session (E) can overwhelm staff, reducing retention. Stating changes are mandated (F) may foster resentment, decreasing compliance. Sending a memo about errors (G) may seem punitive, discouraging engagement. In contrast, scientific information (A), clarification (B), acknowledging resistance (C), and diagrams (D) promote understanding and acceptance.
A client with vaginal cancer is being treated with a radioactive vaginal implant. The client's husband asks the nurse if he can spend the night with his wife. The nurse should explain that:
- A. Overnight stays by family members is against hospital policy.
- B. There is no need for him to stay because staffing is adequate.
- C. His wife will rest much better knowing that he is at home.
- D. Visitation is limited to 30 minutes when the implant is in place.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Radioactive implants emit radiation posing a risk to others. Visitation is limited to short periods (e.g. 30 minutes) to minimize radiation exposure. The other options do not address the safety concern related to radiation.
The nurse is caring for a client with a history of a seizure disorder who is receiving Carbamazepine (Tegretol). The nurse should monitor the client for:
- A. Leukopenia
- B. Hypotension
- C. Hyperglycemia
- D. Weight gain
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Carbamazepine can cause leukopenia, requiring monitoring of white blood cell counts. Hypotension, hyperglycemia, and weight gain are not primary side effects.
A child is admitted with severe headache, fever, vomiting, photophobia, drowsiness, and stiff neck associated with viral meningitis. She will be more comfortable if the nurse:
- A. Dims the lights in her room
- B. Encourages her to breathe slowly and deeply
- C. Offers sips of warm liquids
- D. Places a large, soft pillow under her head
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The discomfort of photophobia is alleviated by dimming the lights. Helping the child to breathe slowly and deeply may help to reduce anxiety, but it will not alleviate other discomforts of viral meningitis. It is important to maintain fluid balance, but sips of warm liquids do not alleviate the discomforts of meningitis. A large, soft pillow under her head causing neck flexion is likely to increase her discomfort owing to stretching of the meninges.