Nursing Elites

1. A client has a new prescription for Losartan. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?

• A. Serum potassium
• B. Serum sodium
• C. Serum calcium
• D. Serum magnesium

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), can cause hyperkalemia. The nurse should monitor the client's serum potassium levels closely because Losartan can increase potassium levels, potentially leading to serious complications such as arrhythmias. Monitoring serum sodium, calcium, or magnesium levels is not typically necessary when a patient is prescribed Losartan, as these values are not directly affected by this medication.

2. A client is being taught by a nurse about long-term use of oral prednisone for chronic asthma. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor for which of the following adverse effects?

• A. Weight Gain
• B. Nervousness
• C. Bradycardia
• D. Constipation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Weight gain is a common adverse effect of long-term prednisone use. Prednisone, a corticosteroid medication, can cause fluid retention and increased appetite, leading to weight gain. Nervousness (choice B) is more commonly associated with stimulant medications or excessive caffeine intake. Bradycardia (choice C) refers to a slow heart rate and is not a typical adverse effect of prednisone. Constipation (choice D) is not a common side effect of prednisone; in fact, prednisone is more likely to cause gastrointestinal issues such as increased appetite and weight gain.

3. A nurse orienting a newly licensed nurse is reviewing the procedure for taking a telephone prescription. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the newly licensed nurse understands the process?

• A. A second nurse enters the prescription into the client's medical record.
• B. Another nurse should listen to the phone call.
• C. The provider can clarify the prescription when he signs the health record.
• D. I should omit the 'read back' if this is a one-time prescription.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Another nurse should listen to the phone call.' When taking a telephone prescription, having another nurse listen to the phone call is essential to prevent errors in communication. This process helps ensure accuracy and reduces the risk of misinterpretation. Choice A is incorrect because entering the prescription into the client's medical record is not related to verifying the accuracy of the telephone prescription. Choice C is incorrect as the provider clarifying the prescription upon signing the health record doesn't address the immediate need for verification during the phone call. Choice D is incorrect because the 'read back' is a crucial step in confirming the accuracy of all prescriptions, regardless of whether they are one-time or recurring.

4. A client in the post-anesthesia recovery unit received a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent and is experiencing muscle weakness. The nurse should anticipate a prescription for which of the following medications?

• A. Neostigmine
• B. Naloxone
• C. Dantrolene
• D. Vecuronium

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Neostigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor commonly used to reverse the effects of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers by increasing acetylcholine levels at the neuromuscular junction, thereby helping to restore muscle strength. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid effects, not neuromuscular blockade. Dantrolene is a skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat malignant hyperthermia or neuroleptic malignant syndrome, not to reverse neuromuscular blockade. Vecuronium is a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent, like the one the client received, and is not used to reverse its effects.

5. A client with cancer is prescribed methotrexate. Which supplement should the healthcare provider recommend to reduce the risk of methotrexate toxicity?

• A. Folic acid
• B. Magnesium
• C. Vitamin D
• D. Iron

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is folic acid. Methotrexate is a folic acid antagonist, and supplementing with folic acid can help reduce the risk of methotrexate toxicity. Folic acid supplementation is commonly recommended to counteract the effects of methotrexate on folate metabolism. Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Iron are not specifically indicated to reduce the risk of methotrexate toxicity and therefore are incorrect choices in this scenario.

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