Enteric coated acetylsalicylic acid has been prescribed for a patient to treat chronic arthritis. The patient calls the clinic nurse because of gagging and difficulty swallowing the tablets. What response would the nurse give to the patient?
- A. Crush the tablets and mix with juice or food'
- B. I’ll notify the healthcare provider for a medication change'
- C. Open the tablet and mix the contents with food'
- D. Swallow the tablets with large amounts of water or milk'
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Enteric-coated tablets should not be crushed or opened, as this disrupts their protective coating and can cause gastric irritation. The patient should be instructed to swallow the tablets whole with plenty of water or milk. Crushing (A) or opening the tablets (C) is inappropriate. Notifying the healthcare provider (B) may be necessary if the patient cannot tolerate the medication.
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A client has just been prescribed with methotrexate (Trexall) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis who did not respond to any other treatment. An important reminder for the client is to?
- A. Clay-colored stool is a normal response to the treatment.
- B. Pregnancy is not contraindicated with the use of the medication.
- C. Strict hand washing.
- D. Get a daily source of sunlight during the day.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Methotrexate is an immunosuppressant, increasing the risk of infections. Strict hand washing and infection prevention measures are crucial. Clay-colored stools are not normal and may indicate liver dysfunction. Pregnancy is contraindicated due to the risk of fetal harm. Sunlight exposure should be limited to reduce the risk of photosensitivity reactions.
Which of the following 'overdoses' is most commonly associated with respiratory alkalosis, but when more severe a metabolic acidosis?
- A. Methanol
- B. Lead
- C. Paracetamol
- D. Salicylate
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Overdose toxicities differ in acid-base effects. Methanol causes metabolic acidosis via formic acid, not respiratory alkalosis. Lead poisoning leads to anemia or neurologic issues, rarely acid-base shifts. Paracetamol overdose induces lactic acidosis from liver failure, not respiratory changes initially. Salicylate (e.g., aspirin) overdose stimulates the respiratory center early, causing hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis (low pCO2), but severe cases add metabolic acidosis (high anion gap) from uncoupled oxidative phosphorylation and lactic acid buildup. Codeine, an opioid, depresses respiration, causing acidosis, not alkalosis. Salicylate's dual pattern is distinctive, requiring urgent recognition—initial alkalosis shifts to acidosis as toxicity worsens, guiding bicarbonate or dialysis treatment.
A nurse is providing administration instruction to the wife of a client going home on intermittent enteral nutrition. Which information should the nurse include?
- A. Clean the equipment between each feeding administration
- B. Once mixed, enteral feeding should hang no more than 8 hours
- C. Refrigerate any feeding that is not needed for a feeding
- D. Keep the area around the insertion site clean
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cleaning equipment between each enteral feeding is vital to prevent bacterial contamination, as residual formula can foster microbial growth, risking infections like gastroenteritis in a client already nutritionally compromised. While limiting hang time is important, evidence suggests a 4-hour maximum, not 8, to minimize spoilage-though this isn't the focus here. Refrigerating unused feeding preserves its integrity, preventing degradation or bacterial proliferation, which is critical for safety. Keeping the insertion site clean reduces infection risk at the tube entry, a common complication in enteral therapy. Cleaning equipment stands out as a proactive step the wife can take between feedings, directly impacting hygiene and client safety, whereas other points address storage or site care, which, while essential, are secondary to the immediate post-feeding action of equipment maintenance in this context.
Morphine over dose is treated with_____
- A. Naloxone
- B. Vitamin K
- C. Time
- D. Grapefruit juice
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Morphine overdose is a medical emergency that can result in respiratory depression and potentially lead to death. Naloxone is a medication used to counteract the effects of opioids like morphine by binding to the same receptors in the brain and reversing the respiratory depression. Naloxone works quickly to restore normal breathing and consciousness in individuals who have overdosed on morphine. It is a critical intervention used to prevent fatal outcomes of opioid overdose, including morphine. Other options like Vitamin K, time, and grapefruit juice are not effective treatments for morphine overdose.
Which of the following is NOT an opioid or NSAID?
- A. Morphine
- B. Ibuprofen
- C. Hydromorpho
- D. Acetaminoph en
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Acetaminophen is not an opioid or NSAID. It is a pain reliever and fever reducer, but it works in a different way compared to opioids and NSAIDs. Unlike opioids, acetaminophen does not have the same risk of physical dependence or addiction. And unlike NSAIDs, acetaminophen does not have anti-inflammatory properties. It is often used for mild to moderate pain relief and as a fever reducer. Be cautious when taking acetaminophen, as high doses can be harmful to the liver.