The client is receiving furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. What potential side effect should the nurse monitor for?
- A. Hypokalemia
- B. Hyperkalemia
- C. Hypernatremia
- D. Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hypokalemia. Furosemide, a loop diuretic, causes potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia. Monitoring potassium levels is crucial because hypokalemia can result in cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because furosemide does not typically cause hyperkalemia, hypernatremia, or hypoglycemia.
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A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a spacer. Which instruction should the nurse reinforce to ensure correct use?
- A. Inhale deeply and slowly after activating the MDI.
- B. Hold the breath for 5 seconds after inhaling the medication.
- C. Rinse the mouth immediately after using the MDI.
- D. Exhale fully before placing the mouthpiece in the mouth.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Inhaling deeply and slowly after activating the MDI is the correct instruction to ensure effective delivery of the medication to the lungs. This technique helps the medication reach the lower airways where it can be most beneficial in managing COPD symptoms. Inhaling too quickly or not deeply enough may result in improper drug delivery and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Holding the breath for 5 seconds after inhaling the medication (Choice B) may not be necessary and could cause discomfort without additional benefits. Rinsing the mouth immediately after using the MDI (Choice C) is not necessary unless specified by the healthcare provider. Exhaling fully before placing the mouthpiece in the mouth (Choice D) is not ideal as it may result in inadequate medication delivery to the lungs.
The client with a history of angina pectoris reports chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin. Which action should the nurse take next?
- A. Administer another dose of nitroglycerin.
- B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
- C. Have the client lie down and rest.
- D. Encourage the client to take deep breaths.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a client with a history of angina pectoris reports chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin, it may indicate a myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack. In this situation, the nurse should immediately notify the healthcare provider to ensure prompt evaluation and appropriate intervention. Delay in seeking medical attention for chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin can be life-threatening, as it might be a sign of a more serious cardiac event. Administering another dose of nitroglycerin (Choice A) without further evaluation can be risky, as the client's condition may require a different intervention. Having the client lie down and rest (Choice C) or encouraging deep breaths (Choice D) are not appropriate actions in this scenario where a more serious cardiac event needs to be ruled out.
A nurse is assessing a client who is taking amiodarone. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
- A. Dry skin
- B. Weight loss
- C. Bradycardia
- D. Productive cough
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A productive cough can indicate pulmonary toxicity, a serious side effect of amiodarone, and should be reported. Dry skin is not typically associated with amiodarone use. Weight loss is a common side effect of amiodarone but not generally a cause for concern unless severe. Bradycardia is a known side effect of amiodarone and may not necessarily require immediate reporting unless symptomatic.
The nurse is assisting in the care of a client experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (MI). Which medication would the nurse expect to be administered to help reduce myocardial oxygen demand?
- A. Aspirin
- B. Morphine
- C. Atropine
- D. Lidocaine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the context of an acute myocardial infarction (MI), morphine is administered to relieve pain and reduce myocardial oxygen demand. By alleviating pain and anxiety, morphine helps reduce oxygen demand on the heart, which is beneficial in the setting of an MI. Aspirin, commonly used for its antiplatelet effects, helps inhibit platelet aggregation and is crucial in the management of MI to prevent further clot formation. Atropine is a medication used to treat symptomatic bradycardia by increasing heart rate, not commonly indicated in the management of acute MI. Lidocaine is used for ventricular dysrhythmias and is not typically given to reduce myocardial oxygen demand in an acute MI scenario.
A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). Which diagnostic test is most likely to be ordered to confirm this diagnosis?
- A. Echocardiogram
- B. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- C. Chest X-ray
- D. Complete blood count (CBC)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An Electrocardiogram (ECG) is the primary diagnostic tool used to confirm a myocardial infarction. An ECG provides immediate information on cardiac function and can show characteristic changes indicative of a myocardial infarction, such as ST-segment elevation or depression. An echocardiogram (Choice A) is useful for assessing heart structure and function but is not typically used as the primary test for confirming an acute myocardial infarction. Chest X-ray (Choice C) may show certain changes in heart size or pulmonary congestion but is not the primary diagnostic test for MI. A Complete Blood Count (CBC) (Choice D) provides information about the cellular components of blood and is not specific to confirming a myocardial infarction.