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Rivastigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, is prescribed for a female patient with early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease. The patient’s daughter tells the nurse that she plans to start administering the drug when her mother’s symptoms worsen, hoping to avoid nursing home placement. How should the nurse respond?
- A. Affirm the decision to use the medication when the symptoms start to worsen.
- B. Explain that the drug should be used early in the disease process.
- C. Assess the patient’s current mental status before deciding to support the decision.
- D. Confirm that the daughter is aware of the progressive nature of the disease.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rivastigmine is most effective early in Alzheimer’s (B) to slow symptom progression. Delaying until worsening (A) reduces benefits. Mental status assessment (C) informs but doesn’t guide timing. Discussing disease progression (D) is secondary to medication timing.
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A patient has received a new prescription for levothyroxine. Which statement made by the patient indicates that the education was effective?
- A. Avoid the use of iron supplements.
- B. Consume foods that are high in iodine.
- C. Take medication on an empty stomach.
- D. Administer levothyroxine at bedtime.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach (C), 30-60 minutes before breakfast, for optimal absorption. Iron supplements (A) should be timed separately, not avoided. High-iodine foods (B) don’t enhance efficacy. Bedtime dosing (D) is less effective than morning.
After administering five doses of filgrastim, the nurse observes that the patient’s white blood cell count has increased from 2,500/mm^3 to 5,000/mm^3. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Inform the patient that the medication has been effective.
- B. Review the patient’s culture and sensitivity reports.
- C. Implement neutropenic precautions.
- D. Assess the patient’s vital signs.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Filgrastim stimulates white blood cell production. An increase from 2,500/mm^3 to 5,000/mm^3 (A) indicates effectiveness, and the patient should be informed. Culture reports (B) are unrelated to filgrastim’s action. Neutropenic precautions (C) are unnecessary with improved counts. Vital signs (D) don’t directly assess filgrastim’s efficacy.
A patient who received a renal transplant three months ago is readmitted to the acute care unit with signs of graft rejection. During the patient’s history taking, the nurse finds out that the patient has been self-administering St. John’s Wort, an herbal preparation, on a friend’s advice. What information is most significant about this finding?
- A. St. John’s Wort can decrease plasma concentrations of cyclosporine.
- B. Consumption of St. John’s Wort can reduce the patient’s sodium intake.
- C. Adding the herb can decrease the need for corticosteroids.
- D. The patient probably used this herb to treat depression.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: St. John’s Wort induces CYP3A4, reducing cyclosporine levels (A), risking transplant rejection. It doesn’t affect sodium (B) or reduce corticosteroid needs (C). Depression treatment (D) is secondary to the transplant risk.
The nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of labetalol orally to a client with hypertension. The client’s vital signs are temperature 99° F (37.2 C), heart rate 48 beats/minute, respirations 16 breaths/minute, and blood pressure (BP) 150/90 mm Hg. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Withhold the scheduled dose and notify the healthcare provider.
- B. Administer the dose and monitor the client’s BP regularly.
- C. Assess for orthostatic hypotension before administering the dose.
- D. Apply a telemetry monitor before administering the dose.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Labetalol, a beta-blocker, can worsen bradycardia (heart rate 48 bpm). Withholding the dose and notifying the provider (A) is safest. Administering (B) risks exacerbating bradycardia. Orthostatic hypotension assessment (C) and telemetry (D) are secondary.
Before administering the evening dose of carbamazepine, the nurse notes that the patient’s morning carbamazepine level was 84 mcg/mL. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Notify the healthcare provider of the carbamazepine level.
- B. Administer the carbamazepine as prescribed.
- C. Withhold this dose of the carbamazepine.
- D. Assess the patient for side effects of carbamazepine.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Carbamazepine’s therapeutic range is 4-12 mcg/mL; 84 mcg/mL (A) indicates toxicity risk, requiring provider notification. Administering (B) or withholding (C) without consultation is unsafe. Assessing side effects (D) is secondary to reporting.