A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prescribed erythropoietin. What is the primary action of this medication?
- A. Stimulate white blood cell production
- B. Increase platelet count
- C. Promote red blood cell production
- D. Enhance clotting factor production
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Promote red blood cell production. Erythropoietin is a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow. This is crucial for patients with CKD who often develop anemia due to decreased erythropoietin production.
A: Stimulating white blood cell production is the function of other medications, such as colony-stimulating factors, not erythropoietin.
B: Erythropoietin does not have an effect on platelet count.
D: Enhancing clotting factor production is not the primary action of erythropoietin.
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A patient with chronic pain is prescribed gabapentin. What is the primary purpose of this medication?
- A. Relieve neuropathic pain
- B. Reduce inflammation
- C. Enhance opioid analgesia
- D. Suppress cough
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Relieve neuropathic pain. Gabapentin is commonly used to treat neuropathic pain by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain and nervous system. It is effective in conditions such as diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia. Choice B is incorrect because gabapentin does not have anti-inflammatory properties. Choice C is incorrect as gabapentin does not enhance opioid analgesia, but it can be used in conjunction with opioids for pain management. Choice D is incorrect as gabapentin is not indicated for cough suppression.
What should be monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of enoxaparin in a patient with deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
- A. Prothrombin time (PT)
- B. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
- C. International normalized ratio (INR)
- D. Platelet count
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale:
1. Enoxaparin is a low molecular weight heparin that primarily affects the intrinsic pathway of coagulation.
2. INR is used to monitor the effectiveness of anticoagulants affecting the intrinsic pathway.
3. Monitoring INR helps ensure the patient is within the therapeutic range to prevent clotting without excessive bleeding.
4. PT and PTT primarily evaluate the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, respectively, not specific to enoxaparin.
5. Platelet count is not directly related to monitoring the effectiveness of enoxaparin in treating DVT.
A patient with type 1 diabetes is prescribed insulin glargine. What is the primary characteristic of this insulin?
- A. Rapid-acting
- B. Intermediate-acting
- C. Long-acting
- D. Short-acting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin due to its slow and consistent release, providing basal insulin coverage for about 24 hours. This steady release mimics the body's natural basal insulin secretion pattern. Rapid-acting insulins (A) work quickly to control postprandial glucose levels. Intermediate-acting insulins (B) have a slower onset and last for a moderate duration. Short-acting insulins (D) act quickly but have a shorter duration of action compared to long-acting insulins.
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate. What is an important teaching point for the nurse to provide?
- A. Take folic acid supplements as prescribed.
- B. Avoid alcohol completely.
- C. Expect to see immediate results.
- D. Limit fluid intake to 1 liter per day.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Take folic acid supplements as prescribed. Methotrexate can lead to folic acid deficiency, causing side effects. Supplementing with folic acid can help manage these side effects. It is crucial for the nurse to emphasize the importance of taking folic acid as prescribed to prevent adverse effects.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
B: Avoid alcohol completely - While alcohol should be limited or avoided due to potential liver toxicity with methotrexate, complete avoidance may not be necessary for all patients.
C: Expect to see immediate results - Methotrexate takes time to work, and patients should not expect immediate results. Patience is necessary.
D: Limit fluid intake to 1 liter per day - There is no specific guideline to limit fluid intake with methotrexate. Adequate hydration is important for overall health.
A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prescribed calcium acetate. What is the primary purpose of this medication?
- A. Treat hyperkalemia
- B. Reduce phosphate levels
- C. Lower blood pressure
- D. Increase hemoglobin levels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary purpose of prescribing calcium acetate for a patient with CKD is to reduce phosphate levels. Calcium acetate acts as a phosphate binder, preventing the absorption of dietary phosphate in the intestines. Elevated phosphate levels in CKD can lead to complications such as mineral and bone disorders. Treating hyperkalemia (A) involves other medications like potassium binders, not calcium acetate. Lowering blood pressure (C) typically involves antihypertensive drugs. Increasing hemoglobin levels (D) is usually managed with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in CKD patients. Therefore, option B is the correct answer for the primary purpose of prescribing calcium acetate in CKD patients.