A provider prescribes phenobarbital for a client who has a seizure disorder. The medication has a long half-life of 4 days. How many times per day should the nurse expect to administer this medication?
- A. One
- B. Two
- C. Three
- D. Four
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Phenobarbital, with a long half-life of 4 days, remains at therapeutic levels in the body for an extended period. Due to this prolonged duration of action, the nurse should administer phenobarbital once a day to maintain a consistent therapeutic effect without the need for multiple daily doses. Administering the medication more than once a day would not be necessary and could increase the risk of side effects or toxicity. Therefore, the correct answer is to administer phenobarbital once a day.
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A client has a new prescription for Clopidogrel. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
- A. Avoid taking aspirin while on this medication.
- B. Take this medication with food.
- C. Avoid eating foods high in potassium.
- D. Take this medication at bedtime.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the client to avoid taking aspirin while on Clopidogrel. Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medication that can increase the risk of bleeding. Aspirin and other NSAIDs can further potentiate this risk, so they should be avoided while taking Clopidogrel to reduce the chance of bleeding complications. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. There is no specific instruction to take Clopidogrel with food or at bedtime. Avoiding foods high in potassium is not directly related to Clopidogrel use.
A client is receiving treatment with methotrexate. Which of the following supplements should the nurse instruct the client to take?
- A. Folic acid
- B. Vitamin D
- C. Calcium
- D. Iron
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client to take folic acid when receiving treatment with methotrexate to reduce the risk of methotrexate toxicity. Methotrexate acts as a folic acid antagonist, leading to folic acid deficiency, which can be counteracted by supplementing with folic acid. Vitamin D, calcium, and iron are not specifically recommended to counteract methotrexate effects and do not play a significant role in mitigating methotrexate toxicity.
A healthcare professional is caring for a client who has a new prescription for Lisinopril. Which of the following laboratory values should the professional monitor?
- A. Serum potassium
- B. Serum sodium
- C. Serum calcium
- D. Serum magnesium
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that can cause hyperkalemia by reducing the excretion of potassium in the kidneys. Monitoring serum potassium levels is essential to prevent complications such as cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, the healthcare professional should closely monitor the client's serum potassium levels when they are on Lisinopril. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because Lisinopril primarily affects potassium levels due to its mechanism of action as an ACE inhibitor. Serum sodium, calcium, and magnesium levels are not typically affected by Lisinopril in the same way as potassium.
A client has a new prescription for Hydrochlorothiazide. Which of the following information should the nurse include?
- A. Take the medication with food.
- B. Plan to take the medication at bedtime.
- C. Expect increased swelling of the ankles.
- D. Limit fluid intake in the morning.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When educating a client about taking Hydrochlorothiazide, the nurse should advise taking the medication with food or after meals to prevent gastrointestinal upset. This medication is a diuretic, so it is important to maintain adequate fluid intake throughout the day to prevent dehydration. Taking it at bedtime is not necessary, and increased swelling of the ankles is not an expected side effect of this medication. Limiting fluid intake in the morning is not necessary and could lead to dehydration, which is a potential side effect of this diuretic.
A patient is receiving education about a new prescription for Omeprazole to manage heartburn. What information should the nurse include in the teaching?
- A. Take this medication at bedtime.
- B. This medication decreases the production of gastric acid.
- C. Take this medication 2 hours after eating.
- D. This medication can cause hyperkalemia.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct information to include when teaching a patient about Omeprazole is that it decreases the production of gastric acid. Omeprazole works by inhibiting the proton pump in the stomach lining, thereby reducing acid secretion. This mechanism helps in managing heartburn symptoms effectively. Choice A is incorrect because Omeprazole is usually taken before a meal. Choice C is incorrect as Omeprazole is typically taken before meals, not after. Choice D is incorrect because hyperkalemia is not a common side effect of Omeprazole.