A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin). Which instruction should the nurse include in the client's teaching plan?
- A. Take your pulse before each dose and hold the medication if your pulse is below 60 beats per minute.
- B. Increase your intake of foods high in potassium.
- C. Take the medication with a high-fiber meal to enhance absorption.
- D. Skip a dose if you feel dizzy or lightheaded.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
1. Digoxin is a medication that can cause bradycardia as a side effect.
2. Instructing the client to take their pulse before each dose is crucial to monitor for bradycardia.
3. Holding the medication if the pulse is below 60 beats per minute helps prevent potential adverse effects.
4. This instruction ensures the client's safety and adherence to the prescribed regimen.
Summary:
- Choice B is incorrect because increasing potassium intake can lead to hyperkalemia when taking digoxin.
- Choice C is incorrect as taking digoxin with a high-fiber meal may affect absorption negatively.
- Choice D is incorrect because skipping a dose based on dizziness or lightheadedness may lead to suboptimal treatment outcomes.
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Aspirin is prescribed for a 9-year-old child with rheumatic fever to control the inflammatory process, promote comfort, and reduce fever. What intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?
- A. Instruct the parents to hold the aspirin until the child has first had a tepid sponge bath.
- B. Administer the aspirin with at least two ounces of water or juice.
- C. Notify the healthcare provider if the child complains of ringing in the ears.
- D. Advise the parents to question the child about seeing yellow halos around objects.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Notify the healthcare provider if the child complains of ringing in the ears. This is important because ringing in the ears can be a sign of salicylate toxicity, a potential side effect of aspirin use in children with rheumatic fever. It is crucial to monitor for this symptom to prevent serious complications.
A: Instructing the parents to hold the aspirin until the child has a tepid sponge bath is not the most important intervention. Managing salicylate toxicity takes precedence over comfort measures.
B: Administering the aspirin with at least two ounces of water or juice is a general guideline for medication administration but not the most critical intervention in this scenario.
D: Advising the parents to question the child about seeing yellow halos around objects is not directly related to the potential side effects of aspirin in this case. Monitoring for salicylate toxicity through symptoms like ringing in the ears is more crucial.
A patient with diabetes insipidus is prescribed desmopressin. What is the primary purpose of this medication?
- A. Increase urine output
- B. Reduce blood sugar levels
- C. Decrease urine output
- D. Lower blood pressure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic form of vasopressin used to replace the hormone in diabetes insipidus. The primary purpose is to decrease urine output by increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys, thereby reducing excessive urination and preventing dehydration. Choice A is incorrect as desmopressin actually decreases urine output. Choice B is incorrect as desmopressin does not directly affect blood sugar levels. Choice D is incorrect as desmopressin does not primarily lower blood pressure.
A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. What instruction should the nurse provide regarding this medication?
- A. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
- B. Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia.
- C. Take the medication with meals.
- D. Increase intake of simple carbohydrates.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for choice C:
1. Metformin can cause gastrointestinal side effects.
2. Taking it with meals helps reduce stomach upset.
3. It also helps in better absorption and effectiveness.
4. Therefore, the nurse should instruct the patient to take metformin with meals.
Summary of other choices:
A: Taking on an empty stomach can worsen gastrointestinal side effects.
B: Metformin doesn't typically cause hypoglycemia.
D: Increasing simple carbohydrates can counteract the effects of metformin.
A client is being discharged with a new prescription for enoxaparin (Lovenox). Which instruction should the nurse include?
- A. Administer the injection in your thigh.
- B. Do not expel the air bubble from the syringe before injection.
- C. Massage the injection site after administration.
- D. Alternate the injection site between the arms.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because expelling the air bubble from the syringe before injection helps ensure accurate dosage delivery and prevents air from being injected into the patient. Administering the injection in the thigh (A) is incorrect as enoxaparin is typically given in the abdomen. Massaging the injection site (C) can cause bruising or hematoma formation. Alternating injection sites between arms (D) is not relevant as enoxaparin is usually given in the abdomen.
A patient with peptic ulcer disease is prescribed omeprazole. When should the patient take this medication for optimal effectiveness?
- A. With meals
- B. At bedtime
- C. Before meals
- D. After meals
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Before meals. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that works best when taken before meals to inhibit acid secretion before food intake. Taking it with meals (choice A) may decrease its effectiveness as it needs time to be absorbed. Taking it at bedtime (choice B) may not provide optimal coverage throughout the day. Taking it after meals (choice D) may not allow enough time for the medication to start working before the next meal.