The nurse is preparing to administer the morning dose of digoxin, a cardiac glycoside, to a client diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Which data would indicate the medication is effective?
- A. The apical heart rate is 72 beats per minute.
- B. The client denies having any anorexia or nausea.
- C. The client's blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg.
- D. The client's lungs sounds are clear bilaterally.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clear lung sounds indicate reduced fluid overload in CHF, a sign of digoxin’s effectiveness in improving cardiac output. HR, nausea, or BP are less specific.
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The client in the emergency department requires sutures for a laceration on the left leg. Which information is most pertinent prior to suturing the wound?
- A. The client tells the nurse she has never had sutures.
- B. The spouse refuses to leave the room during suturing.
- C. The client shares she is scared of needles.
- D. The client reports hives after having dental surgery.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Hives post-dental surgery suggest a possible local anesthetic allergy, critical to know before suturing to avoid anaphylaxis.
A pregnant woman is hospitalized for treatment of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) in the third trimester. She is receiving magnesium sulfate intravenously. The nurse understands that this medication is used mainly for what purpose?
- A. Maintain normal blood pressure
- B. Prevent convulsive seizures
- C. Increase the respiratory rate
- D. Increase uterine blood flow
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Prevent convulsive seizures. Magnesium sulfate is a central nervous system depressant. While it has many systemic effects, it is used in the client with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) to prevent seizures.
An elderly adult is scheduled for repair of a fractured femur this morning. The nurse goes in to administer the preoperative medication of Demerol 75 mg and atropine 0.4 mg IM. The client asks the nurse if he should take his eye drops before surgery. What is the best initial response for the nurse to make?
- A. You can take them when you get back from surgery.
- B. I'll give them to you now.
- C. Let me check with your physician.
- D. What kind of eye drops are you taking?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Knowing the type of eye drops (e.g., for glaucoma or infection) determines if they are critical pre-surgery, guiding further action.
An elderly client is on an anticholinergic metered dose inhaler (MDI) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The nurse would suggest a spacer to
- A. enhance the administration of the medication
- B. increase client compliance
- C. improve aerosol delivery in clients who are not able to coordinate the MDI
- D. prevent exacerbation of COPD
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Spacers improve the medication delivery in clients who are unable to coordinate the movements of administering a dose with an MDI.
A 19-year-old woman has just started taking birth control pills. She calls the clinic nurse to say that her breasts are tender and she is nauseous. The nurse's response is based on which understanding?
- A. These are serious side effects.
- B. These effects usually decrease after three to six cycles.
- C. Taking the pill in the morning reduces its side effects.
- D. Taking the pills every other day reduces its side effects.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Breast tenderness and nausea are common initial side effects of oral contraceptives, typically resolving after a few cycles.