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A patient with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. What is the most important instruction the nurse should provide?
- A. Take an extra dose if you miss one.
- B. Avoid high-potassium foods.
- C. Report any visual disturbances.
- D. Stop taking the medication if your pulse is normal.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Report any visual disturbances. This is important because digoxin can cause visual disturbances, such as blurred or yellow-tinted vision, which may indicate toxicity. By reporting these symptoms promptly, the nurse can prevent serious complications.
A: Taking an extra dose if a dose is missed can lead to overdose and toxicity.
B: Avoiding high-potassium foods is important for patients taking potassium-sparing diuretics, not digoxin.
D: Stopping the medication if the pulse is normal is incorrect as it should be taken as prescribed for heart failure management.
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The community mental health nurse is planning to visit four clients with schizophrenia today. Which client should the nurse see first?
- A. The mother who took her children from school because aliens were after them.
- B. The young man who has a history of substance abuse and no telephone.
- C. The newly diagnosed client who needs to be evaluated for medication compliance.
- D. The young woman who believes she is to blame for her recent miscarriage.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: The mother who took her children from school because aliens were after them should be seen first. This choice indicates potential harm to the children due to the mother's delusions, posing an immediate safety concern. The nurse needs to assess the situation and ensure the children's safety. Choices B, C, and D do not present immediate safety risks. B is a history of substance abuse but no current immediate danger. C is newly diagnosed and can wait for evaluation, as can D who may need support but is not in immediate danger. Prioritizing safety is crucial in mental health nursing.
A patient who is receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer develops thrombocytopenia. What should the nurse include in the care plan?
- A. Encourage light exercise.
- B. Avoid intramuscular injections.
- C. Do not administer aspirin.
- D. Use a soft toothbrush for oral care.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Avoid intramuscular injections. Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by low platelet count, which can lead to impaired blood clotting. Intramuscular injections can cause bleeding and bruising due to the decreased ability of blood to clot. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid invasive procedures like intramuscular injections to prevent excessive bleeding in patients with thrombocytopenia. Encouraging light exercise (choice A) can be beneficial for overall health but may not directly address the risk of bleeding. Avoiding aspirin (choice C) is important as it can further increase the risk of bleeding. Using a soft toothbrush for oral care (choice D) is a good practice, but it does not directly address the risk associated with intramuscular injections in patients with thrombocytopenia.
The patient has a calcium level of 12.1 mg/dL. Which nursing action should the nurse include on the care plan?
- A. Maintain the patient on bed rest.
- B. Auscultate lung sounds every 4 hours.
- C. Monitor for Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs.
- D. Encourage fluid intake up to 4000 mL every day.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Encourage fluid intake up to 4000 mL every day. High calcium levels can lead to dehydration, so encouraging fluid intake helps prevent this complication. Increased fluid intake also promotes calcium excretion through urine. Bed rest (A) is not directly related to managing high calcium levels. Auscultating lung sounds (B) every 4 hours is more relevant for respiratory issues. Monitoring for Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs (C) is associated with low calcium levels, not high levels.
When implementing patient teaching for a patient admitted with hyperglycemia and newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus scheduled for discharge the second day after admission, what is the priority action for the nurse?
- A. Instruct about the increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
- B. Provide detailed information about dietary control of glucose.
- C. Teach glucose self-monitoring and medication administration.
- D. Give information about the effects of exercise on glucose control.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because teaching glucose self-monitoring and medication administration is the priority action to ensure the patient can manage their condition effectively post-discharge. This step is crucial for immediate management of hyperglycemia and newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus. Option A is incorrect as addressing cardiovascular risk can be important but not the immediate priority. Option B is important but not as urgent as self-monitoring and medication administration. Option D is also important for long-term management but not as critical as ensuring immediate control of blood glucose levels through monitoring and medication.
What is the primary goal of care for a client experiencing esophageal varices secondary to liver cirrhosis?
- A. Preventing infection
- B. Controlling bleeding
- C. Reducing portal hypertension
- D. Maintaining nutritional status
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary goal of care for a client with esophageal varices secondary to liver cirrhosis is to control bleeding. This is because esophageal varices can lead to life-threatening hemorrhage. By controlling bleeding, we can prevent severe complications and potentially save the client's life. Preventing infection (Choice A) is important but not the primary goal in this case. Reducing portal hypertension (Choice C) is a long-term goal and may help prevent variceal bleeding in the future, but it is not the immediate priority. Maintaining nutritional status (Choice D) is important for overall health but is not the primary goal when managing acute bleeding from esophageal varices.