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A patient who has Parkinson's will begin taking carbidopa-levodopa. What information will the nurse include when teaching this patient about this medication?
- A. Discontinue the drug if you experience insomnia.
- B. Rise slowly from your bed or chair to avoid dizziness and falls.
- C. Call your health care provider immediately if your urine turns a dark color.
- D. Take the drug with foods high in protein to improve drug delivery.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Rise slowly from your bed or chair to avoid dizziness and falls. This is because carbidopa-levodopa can cause orthostatic hypotension, leading to dizziness and potential falls when standing up quickly. Instructing the patient to rise slowly can help prevent this adverse effect.
Choice A is incorrect because insomnia is not a common side effect of carbidopa-levodopa, so there is no need to discontinue the drug solely for this reason.
Choice C is incorrect as dark-colored urine is not a typical side effect of carbidopa-levodopa and does not warrant immediate medical attention.
Choice D is incorrect because taking carbidopa-levodopa with high-protein foods can actually decrease the absorption of the medication, potentially reducing its effectiveness.
Therefore, the most important information for the patient to remember is to rise slowly to prevent dizziness and falls.
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A home care nurse administers oral morphine to the patient with cancer pain. When will the nurse expect the medication to reach peak activity?
- A. 45 minutes.
- B. 10 minutes.
- C. 30 minutes.
- D. 60 minutes.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: 45 minutes. Oral morphine typically reaches peak activity within 30-60 minutes after administration due to its absorption rate. After ingestion, the medication passes through the stomach and intestines before entering the bloodstream, which takes time. Choice B (10 minutes) is too soon for peak activity. Choice C (30 minutes) is close but not the peak time frame. Choice D (60 minutes) is too late for peak activity.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient who will be going home on cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) prescribed for his acute musculoskeletal pain. The nurse will stress that the patient should avoid what?
- A. Taking antihistamines.
- B. Taking antiemetics.
- C. Taking antibiotics.
- D. Drinking alcohol.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Drinking alcohol. Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxant that can cause drowsiness and dizziness. Alcohol can intensify these side effects, leading to impaired coordination and judgment. This can increase the risk of accidents and falls. It is important for the patient to avoid alcohol while taking cyclobenzaprine to prevent these adverse effects.
Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because there are no known interactions between cyclobenzaprine and antihistamines, antiemetics, or antibiotics that would pose a significant risk to the patient. It is essential to focus on the potential interactions that can have serious consequences, such as alcohol with cyclobenzaprine.
A nurse admits an older patient to the emergency room with reports of shortness of breath on exertion and a productive cough. The nurse reviews the patient's current medications and the patient says, “I take one pink pill every morning.†The nurse asks the name of the drug and the patient says she doesn't know. This happens with four other medications the patient says she takes. What is an appropriate nursing diagnosis for this patient?
- A. Ineffective health maintenance.
- B. Noncompliance.
- C. Acute confusion.
- D. Risk-prone health behavior.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ineffective health maintenance. This diagnosis is appropriate because the patient's inability to identify their medications indicates a lack of understanding and engagement in managing their own health. The patient's confusion about their medications can lead to noncompliance and potential health risks. The other choices are not as appropriate because the patient's issue is related to a lack of knowledge and understanding rather than deliberate noncompliance (B), acute confusion (C), or a risky behavior (D). To address the issue, the nurse should focus on education and support to improve the patient's health maintenance skills.
The nurse is performing an admission assessment on a stable patient admitted after a motor vehicle accident. The patient reports having bad pain. What will the nurse do first?
- A. Attempt to determine what type of pain the patient has.
- B. Request an order for intravenous opioid analgesic.
- C. Administer acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- D. Ask the patient to rate the pain on a scale of 1-10.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ask the patient to rate the pain on a scale of 1-10. This is the first step in assessing pain intensity, which helps determine the urgency and appropriate interventions needed. By having the patient rate the pain, the nurse can establish a baseline for pain management and monitor effectiveness of interventions.
Choice A is incorrect because determining the type of pain comes after assessing the intensity. Choice B is incorrect as requesting IV opioids without assessing pain intensity first may not be appropriate for a stable patient. Choice C is incorrect as administering acetaminophen should be based on the pain assessment.
The nurse is caring for a 27-year-old African American woman who was just prescribed an ACE inhibitor for the management of her hypertension. What should be advised related to contraception?
- A. No special precautions need to be taken.
- B. The use of spermicidal jellies is recommended.
- C. The minipill is the contraceptive of choice.
- D. Use barrier contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking these drugs.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Use barrier contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking these drugs. ACE inhibitors are contraindicated during pregnancy as they can cause harm to the fetus. Therefore, advising the patient to use barrier contraception is essential to prevent pregnancy while on this medication. Choice A is incorrect because special precautions are indeed needed. Choice B is incorrect as spermicidal jellies do not provide effective contraception on their own. Choice C is incorrect as the minipill may not be sufficient to prevent pregnancy while on ACE inhibitors.