A nurse is caring for a patient who is supposed to receive two drugs at the same time. What is the nurses priority action?
- A. Wash her hands before handling the medications.
- B. Consult a drug guide for compatibility.
- C. Question the patient concerning drug allergies.
- D. Identify the patient by checking the armband and asking the patient to state his name.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A nurse should first consult a drug guide for compatibility when two or more drugs are being given at the same time. After compatibility is determined the medication can be administered. The nurse will perform hand hygiene, check for patient allergies, and ensure the right patient receives the medication by using two identifiers.
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The patient, diagnosed with cancer, is receiving morphine sulfate (a potent narcotic pain reliever) to relieve cancer pain. Approximately every 7 days the medication is no longer effective in controlling the patient's pain and a larger dose is needed to have the same effect. How might the nurse explain why this is happening?
- A. Tolerance
- B. Cumulation
- C. Interactions
- D. Addiction
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The body may develop a tolerance to some drugs over time. Tolerance may arise because of increased biotransformation of the drug, increased resistance to its effects, or other pharmacokinetic factors. When tolerance occurs, the amount of the drug no longer causes the same reaction. Therefore, increasingly larger doses are needed to achieve a therapeutic effect. Cumulative effect occurs when the drug is not properly eliminated and more of the drug is administered, resulting in toxic levels accumulating. Interactions occur when the drug reacts badly with another substance such as food, another drug, or an alternative or complementary therapy. Addiction is the psychological need for a substance.
Which statement is not correct regarding acarbose:
- A. Is for internal use
- B. Inhibiting alfa glucosidase
- C. Inhibits carbohydrates absorbtion in the gut
- D. Is effective for diabetes mellitus type I
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Acarbose is primarily effective for type 2 diabetes by delaying carbohydrate absorption, not type 1, which relies on insulin deficiency.
Insuline:
- A. Facilitate glucose absorbtion in the small intestines
- B. Increase sensitivity of insuline receptors
- C. Facilitate glucose permeability in the cell and utilization
- D. Increase glycogen storage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin facilitates glucose permeability and utilization and increases glycogen synthesis in cells.
You are to infuse 1,200 mL of IV fluid over 6 hours using a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. What is the flow rate in drops per minute?
- A. 30 gtt/min
- B. 33 gtt/min
- C. 40 gtt/min
- D. 50 gtt/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Flow rate = (1,200 mL 10 gtt/mL) ÷ (6 60) = 12,000 ÷ 360 = 33.33 gtt/min, rounded to 33 gtt/min.
An important concept taught by the nurse when providing medication teaching is the need to provide a complete list of medications taken to health care providers to avoid what?
- A. Spending large amounts of money on medications
- B. Allergic reactions to medications
- C. Drug-drug interactions
- D. Critical concentrations of medications in the body
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: It is important that all health care providers have a complete list of the patient's medications to avoid drug-drug interactions caused by one provider ordering a medication, unaware of another medication the patient is taking that could interact with the new prescription. Using the same pharmacist for all prescriptions will also help to prevent this from happening. Informing the provider of all medications taken will not reduce costs of medications, which is best accomplished by requesting generic medications. Allergies should be disclosed to all health care providers as well, but this is not why it is important to provide a complete list of medications taken. Critical concentrations are desirable because that is the amount of drug needed to cause a therapeutic effect, or, in other words, to have the effect the drug is prescribed for.