A nurse is preparing to administer an IM dose of penicillin to a client who has a new prescription. The client states she took penicillin 3 years ago and developed a rash. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Administer the prescribed dose.
- B. Withhold the medication.
- C. Ask the provider to change the prescription to an oral form.
- D. Administer an oral antihistamine at the same time
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A history of rash suggests a possible allergy; withholding the medication and consulting the provider is safest.
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The nurse is preparing a medication that is new to the market and cannot be found in the nurse's drug guide. Where can the nurse get the most reliable information about this medication?
- A. Package insert
- B. Another nurse
- C. Drug manufacturer
- D. Physician
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most reliable information about the drug can be found on the package insert supplied by the manufacturer because it was prepared according to strict Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. Asking another nurse or the physician is not reliable and cannot be verified as accurate. It would not be realistic to call the drug manufacturer for information.
A patient is being seen in the clinic for rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following statements would indicate that she may be developing a complication from her rheumatoid medication, chloroquine (Aralen)?
- A. I have to urinate all the time.'
- B. Sometimes I have blurred vision.'
- C. I have tingling and numbness in my arms and legs.'
- D. Sometimes I feel like I am losing my balance when I walk.'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chloroquine (Aralen) can cause ocular toxicity with blurring of vision, color vision changes, corneal damage, and blindness. Increased urination and tingling and numbness are signs of hyperkalemia and hypokalemia. Loss of balance can be caused by auditory damage due to drug toxicity.
When taking a medication history on a patient why should the nurse ask about the use of complementary or alternative therapies?
- A. Patients starting on new drugs are usually not compliant with medical regimens.
- B. Many drug-alternative therapy interactions can cause serious problems.
- C. Natural products may be more effective and the prescribed drug may not be needed.
- D. The cost of the drug and the alternative therapy may be too expensive for the patient to hand
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Complementary therapies can interact with prescribed drugs, posing risks that the nurse must identify.
When taken with aminoglycosides, platinum chemotherapy or cyclosporin increase the risk of
- A. Kidney damage
- B. Ototoxicity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Platinum chemotherapy (e.g., cisplatin) and cyclosporin both potentiate aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity, increasing kidney damage risk.
A nurse is caring for a school-age child who has a new prescription for Atomoxetine. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects of this medication?
- A. Kidney toxicity
- B. Liver damage
- C. Seizure activity
- D. Adrenal insufficiency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atomoxetine can cause liver damage , a rare but serious effect to monitor.