NCLEX Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies Related

Review NCLEX Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies related questions and content

The nurse working on the pediatric unit has scheduled medications to administer at this time. Which assessments should prompt the nurse to conclude that the prescribed medication should be withheld and the HCP immediately notified?

  • A. Oral hydrocodone with acetaminophen to the 10-year-old with burn injuries who is feeling dizzy and light-headed
  • B. Oral acetaminophen to the 6-month-old with a fever of 102°F (38.9°C) from an infection who has developed a rash
  • C. Clindamycin IV to the 16-year-old male with aspiration pneumonia from near-drowning who has a BP of 92/56 mm Hg
  • D. Phenobarbital IV to the 5-year-old with intermittent seizures who states feeling tired and appears to be drowsy
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A: Dizziness and light-headedness are side effects of hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Vicodin), and the nurse may choose to withhold a scheduled dose. These are not potentially life-threatening or warranting an immediate call to the HCP. B: A rash is a side effect of acetaminophen (Tylenol). However, the rash is not potentially life-threatening or warranting an immediate call to the HCP. C: An adverse effect of clindamycin (Cleocin) is hypotension. A BP of 92/56 mm Hg is low for a 16-year-old. Normal BP for a 16-year-old male is 111/63 mm Hg to 136/90 mm Hg, depending on height percentile. The nurse should compare the previous BP readings with the current one to determine the degree of BP variation and then immediately notify the HCP because the BP can decrease further. D: Tiredness and drowsiness are side effects of phenobarbital (Luminal). However, these are expected. The nurse would not withhold phenobarbital unless there were additional neurological alterations that would warrant contacting the HCP.