The healthcare provider prescribes digitalis (Digoxin) for a client diagnosed
with heart failure. Which intervention should the nurse implement prior to
administering the digoxin?
A. observe the respiratory rate and depth
B. assess the serum potassium level
C. obtain the client blood pressure
D. monitor serum glucose level - ANSWER-B. Assess the serum potassium level
Rationale:
Hypokalemia (decreased serum potassium) will precipitate digitalis toxicity in
persons receiving digoxin. The nurse should monitor the client's serum
potassium levels. Blood pressure and respiratory rate will not inform the nurse
about potential safety issues with digitalis.
Which medications should the nurse caution the client about taking while
receiving an opioid analgesic?
A. antiacids
,B. benzodiazepines
C. antihypertensives
D. oral antidiabetics - ANSWER-B. benzodiazepines
Rationale
Respiratory depression increases with the concurrent use of opioid analgesics
and other central nervous system depressant agents, such as alcohol,
barbiturates, and benzodiazepines. Antacids and antidiabetic agents do not
interact with opiates to produce adverse effects. Antihypertensives may cause
morphine-induced hypotension, but should not be withheld without notifying
the healthcare provider.
The nurse is assessing the effectiveness of high dose aspirin therapy for an 88-
year-old client with arthritis. The client reports that she can't hear the nurse's
questions because her ears are ringing. What action should the nurse
implement?
A. Refer the client to an audiologist for evaluation of her hearing.
B. Advise the client that this is a common side effect of aspirin therapy.
C. Notify the healthcare provider of this finding immediately.
D. Ask the client to turn off her hearing aid during the exam - ANSWER-C. notify
the healthcare provider of this finding immediately
Rationale
Tinnitus is an early sign of salicylate toxicity. The healthcare provider should be
notified immediately, and the medication discontinued
A client asks the nurse if glipizide (Glucotrol) is an oral insulin. Which response
should the nurse provide?
A. "Yes, it is an oral insulin and has the same actions and properties as
intermediate insulin."
,B. "Yes, it is an oral insulin and is distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the
same manner as insulin."
C. "No, it is not an oral insulin and can be used only when some beta cell
function is present."
D. "No, it is not an oral insulin, but it is effective for those who are resistant to
injectable insulins." - ANSWER-C. "No, it is not an oral insulin and can be used
only when some beta cell function is present."
Rationale
An effective oral form of insulin has not yet been developed because when
insulin is taken orally, it is destroyed by digestive enzymes. Glipizide (Glucotrol)
is an oral hypoglycemic agent that enhances pancreatic production of insulin
In evaluating the effects of lactulose (Cephulac), which outcome would indicate
that the drug is performing as intended?
A. An increase in urine output.
B. Two or three soft stools per day.
C. Watery, diarrhea stools.
D. Increased serum bilirubin. - ANSWER-B. Two or three soft stools per day
Rationale
The medication lactulose can be administered for either chronic constipation or
for portal-systemic encephalopathy in clients with hepatic disease. Two to
three stools a day indicate that lactulose is performing as intended for chronic
constipation. This would also indicate it should be effective for the clients with
encephalopathy because the lactulose's action prevents absorption of
ammonia in the colon as it increases water absorption and softens the stool.
The efficacy of the use for ammonia absorption would have to be verified by a
serum ammonia level and observation of clearing of the client's mental status
An antacid (Maalox) is prescribed for a client with peptic ulcer disease. The
nurse knows that the purpose of this medication is to
, A. decrease production of gastric secretions.
B. produce an adherent barrier over the ulcer.
C. maintain a gastric pH of 3.5 or above.
D. decrease gastric motor activity - ANSWER-C. maintain a gastric pH of 3.5 or
above.
Rationale
The objective of antacids is to neutralize gastric acids and keep pH of 3.5 or
above which is necessary for pepsinogen inactivity
A client is admitted to the hospital for diagnostic testing for possible
myasthenia gravis. The nurse prepares for intravenous administration of
edrophonium chloride (Tensilon). What is the expected outcome for this client
following administration of this pharmacologic agent?
A. Progressive difficulty with swallowing.
B. Decreased respiratory effort.
C. Improvement in generalized fatigue.
D. Decreased muscle weakness - ANSWER-D. Decreased muscle weakness
Rationale
Administration of edrophonium chloride (Tensilon), a cholinergic agent, will
temporarily reduce muscle weakness, the most common complaint of newly-
diagnosed clients with myasthenia gravis. This medication is used to diagnose
myasthenia gravis due to its short duration of action. This drug would
temporarily reverse difficulty in swallowing and respiratory effort
The healthcare provider prescribes naproxen (Naproxen) twice daily for a client
with osteoarthritis of the hands. The client tells the nurse that the drug does
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