Nursing Elites

1. A client has difficulty swallowing medications and is prescribed enteric-coated aspirin PO once daily. The client asks if the medication can be crushed to make it easier to swallow. Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?

• A. Crushing the medication might cause you to have a stomachache or indigestion.
• B. Crushing the medication is a good idea, and I can mix it in some ice cream for you.
• C. Crushing the medication would release all the medication at once, rather than over time.
• D. Crushing is unsafe, as it destroys the ingredients in the medication.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Crushing an enteric-coated medication can cause it to break down in the stomach instead of the intestines, potentially leading to gastrointestinal distress like stomachache or indigestion. It is important to take enteric-coated medications whole to ensure they are properly absorbed in the intestines and to prevent irritation to the stomach.

2. A client has a new prescription for allopurinol. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Drink 2 liters of water daily.
• B. Avoid taking the medication on an empty stomach.
• C. Limit vitamin C intake while taking this medication.
• D. Take an iron supplement while on this medication.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct instruction for a client prescribed allopurinol is to drink 2 liters of water daily. This recommendation aims to reduce the risk of kidney stones, a potential side effect associated with allopurinol use. Adequate hydration helps prevent the formation of uric acid crystals in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney stones. Therefore, encouraging increased water intake is essential in the management of clients taking allopurinol.

3. A client has a prescription for long-term use of oral prednisone for the treatment of chronic asthma. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor for which of the following adverse effects of this medication?

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

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is weight gain. Oral prednisone can lead to weight gain and fluid retention due to its sodium and water retention effects. Monitoring weight changes is crucial to identify and manage this adverse effect. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because oral prednisone is not typically associated with nervousness, bradycardia, or constipation as common adverse effects. Therefore, the nurse should primarily focus on monitoring weight gain in clients prescribed long-term oral prednisone therapy.

4. A client is taking Furosemide for heart failure. Which of the following laboratory tests should the nurse monitor to assess for an adverse effect of this medication?

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

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic commonly used in heart failure, can cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels) as a side effect. Monitoring serum potassium levels is crucial to detect and prevent complications associated with low potassium levels, such as cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, the nurse should prioritize assessing the client's serum potassium levels regularly while on Furosemide. Serum calcium, sodium, and magnesium levels are not typically affected by Furosemide and are not the primary focus of monitoring for adverse effects of this medication.

5. A client prescribed Warfarin is receiving discharge instructions from a nurse. Which of the following herbal supplements should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?

• A. St. John's wort
• B. Echinacea
• C. Garlic
• D. Ginseng

Correct answer: A

Rationale: St. John's wort can reduce the effectiveness of Warfarin by interacting with its metabolism pathways, potentially leading to decreased anticoagulant effects. Therefore, clients on Warfarin therapy should avoid St. John's wort. While echinacea, garlic, and ginseng are also herbal supplements that can interact with Warfarin, St. John's wort is particularly known for its significant impact on Warfarin metabolism. Echinacea may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with Warfarin, garlic may potentiate the anticoagulant effects of Warfarin, and ginseng may also increase the risk of bleeding. However, St. John's wort is the most crucial to avoid due to its significant impact on Warfarin metabolism.

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