Senior Practicum Medication and I.V
Administration Questions And Answers!!
A physician orders a loop diuretic for a client. When administering this drug, the nurse
anticipates that the client may develop which electrolyte imbalance? - ANS Hypokalemia
Explanation:
A loop diuretic removes water and, along with it, sodium and potassium. This may result in
hypokalemia, hypovolemia, and hyponatremia.
The physician has prescribed amiodarone for a client with cardiomyopathy. The nurse should
monitor the client's rhythm to determine the effectiveness of the medication in controlling: - ANS
Life-threatening ventricular dysrhythmias.
Explanation:
Cardiomyopathy means that the myocardium is weak and irritable. Amiodarone is an
antiarrhythmic and acts directly on the cardiac cell membrane. In this situation, amiodarone is
used to increase the ventricular fibrillation threshold. Amiodarone is contraindicated in sinus
node dysfunction, heart block, and severe bradycardia.
A woman is taking oral contraceptives. The nurse teaches the client to report which
complication? - ANS severe calf pain
Explanation:
Women who take oral contraceptives are at increased risk for thromboembolic conditions.
Severe calf pain needs to be investigated as a potential sign of deep vein thrombosis.
Breakthrough bleeding, mild headache, or weight gain may be common benign side effects that
accompany oral contraceptive use. Clients may be monitored for these side effects without a
change in treatment.
Long-term administration of gentamicin sulfate to a client has been discontinued. What should
the nurse assess? - ANS vestibular check in 3 to 4 weeks
Explanation:
Gentamicin is ototoxic; therefore, the client should have a vestibular and auditory check 3 to 4
weeks after discontinuing the drug. This is the most likely time for deafness to occur.
,It is not necessary to check the client's hemoglobin level, white blood cell count, or serum
potassium level solely on the basis of having taken gentamicin. The blood urea nitrogen level
and the creatinine level will be checked to assess renal function, if necessary.
A physician prescribes intravenous heparin 25,000 units in 250 ml of normal saline solution to
infuse at 600 units/hour for a client who suffered an acute myocardial infarction (MI). After 6
hours of heparin therapy, the client's partial thromboplastin time is subtherapeutic. The
healthcare provider orders the infusion to be increased to 800 units/hour. The nurse would set
the infusion pump to deliver how many milliliters per hour? Record your answer using a whole
number. - ANS 8
Explanation:
The nurse would calculate the infusion rate using the following formula:
Dose on hand/Quantity on hand = Dose desired/X
25,000 units/250 ml = 800 units/hour ÷ X
25,000 units x X = 250 ml x 800 units/hour
25,000 x X = 200,000 ml/hour
X = 8 ml/hour
A nurse receives a lithium level report of 1.0 mEq/L (1 mmol/L) for a client who has been taking
lithium for 2 months. How does the nurse interpret this information? - ANS within the
therapeutic range
Explanation:
For the client who has been receiving lithium therapy for the past 2 months, a maintenance
serum lithium level of 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L (0.6 to 1.2 mmol/L) is considered therapeutic. A lithium
level greater than 1.2 mEq/L (1.2 mmol/L) suggests toxicity.
A client who has been taking flunisolide nasal spray, two inhalations a day, for treatment of
asthma has painful, white patches in the mouth. What should the nurse tell the client? - ANS
"You have developed a fungal infection from your medication. It will need to be treated with an
antifungal agent."
Explanation:
Use of oral inhalant corticosteroids such as flunisolide can lead to the development of oral
thrush, a fungal infection. Once developed, thrush must be treated by antifungal therapy; it will
not resolve on its own. Fungal infections can develop even without overuse of the corticosteroid
inhaler. Although good oral hygiene can help prevent development of a fungal infection, it
cannot be used alone to treat the problem.
Guaifenesin 300 mg four times a day has been prescribed as an expectorant. The dosage
strength of the liquid is 200 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer for each
dose? Record your answer using one decimal place. - ANS 7.5
, Explanation:
Problems associated with long-term corticosteroid therapy include sodium retention,
osteoporosis, and hyperglycemia. An increase in calcium and vitamin D is needed to help
prevent bone deterioration. Dietary modifications need to reduce sodium, maintain high protein
levels for tissue repair, and reduce carbohydrates, as there is a tendency toward hyperglycemia.
Increased intake of complex carbohydrates is not indicated because of hyperglycemia. There
should be decreased fat intake because there is a tendency for central fat deposition.
A client with asthma has been prescribed fluticasone, one puff every 12 hours per inhaler. Place
in correct order the nurse's statements when teaching the client how to properly use the inhaler
with a spacer. - ANS -"Take off the cap and shake the inhaler."
-"Attach the spacer."
-"Breathe out all of your air. Hold the mouthpiece of your inhaler and spacer between your teeth
with your lips closed around it."
-"Press down on the inhaler once and breathe in slowly."
-"Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds, then breathe in and out slowly."
- "Rinse your mouth."
Explanation:
Using a spacer, especially with inhaled corticosteroid, can make it easier for the medication to
reach the lungs; it can also prevent excess medication remaining in the mouth and throat, which
can cause minor irritation. It is important for the client to empty the lungs, breathe in slowly, and
hold the breath to draw as much medication into the lungs as possible. Rinsing after using a
corticosteroid inhaler may help prevent irritation and infection; rinsing will also reduce the
amount of drug swallowed and absorbed systemically.
A client is asking about dietary modifications to counteract the long-term effects of prednisone.
What is the most appropriate information for the nurse to give the client? - ANS "Increase
your intake of calcium and vitamin D."
Explanation:
Problems associated with long-term corticosteroid therapy include sodium retention,
osteoporosis, and hyperglycemia. An increase in calcium and vitamin D is needed to help
prevent bone deterioration. Dietary modifications need to reduce sodium, maintain high protein
levels for tissue repair, and reduce carbohydrates, as there is a tendency toward hyperglycemia.
Increased intake of complex carbohydrates is not indicated because of hyperglycemia. There
should be decreased fat intake because there is a tendency for central fat deposition.
A client is scheduled for surgery at 8 a.m.(0800). While completing the preoperative checklist,
the nurse sees that the surgical consent form isn't signed. It's time to administer the
preoperative analgesic. Which nursing action takes the highest priority in this situation? - ANS
Notifying the surgeon that the client hasn't signed the consent form
Explanation:
