a nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed furosemide which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor

ATI RN

ATI Pharmacology

1. A healthcare provider is caring for a client who is prescribed Furosemide. Which of the following laboratory values should the healthcare provider monitor?

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

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels) due to increased potassium excretion in the urine. Monitoring serum potassium levels is crucial to prevent complications such as cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, the healthcare provider should closely monitor the client's serum potassium levels when they are prescribed Furosemide. While monitoring other electrolytes like sodium and magnesium may also be important in certain situations, the priority for a client prescribed Furosemide is to monitor serum potassium levels due to the risk of hypokalemia.

2. Which of the following conditions is not treated with Nifedipine?

A. Angina
B. Arrhythmias
C. Hypertension
D. Fluid retention

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker primarily used in the management of angina and hypertension. It is not typically used to treat arrhythmias or fluid retention. Angina is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, and hypertension is high blood pressure. Therefore, fluid retention is the condition that is not treated with Nifedipine.

3. A client will start Alfuzosin for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. The nurse should instruct the client that which of the following is an adverse effect of this medication?

A. Bradycardia
B. Edema
C. Hypotension
D. Tremor

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Hypotension. Alfuzosin relaxes muscle tone in veins, leading to vasodilation and reduced systemic vascular resistance. This effect can cause hypotension due to decreased cardiac output. Clients should be advised to rise slowly from a sitting or lying position to minimize the risk of orthostatic hypotension. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because bradycardia, edema, and tremor are not commonly associated adverse effects of Alfuzosin.

4. What does it mean when a medication has a half-life?

A. It only lasts for 30 minutes after the medication is given
B. How long it takes for half of the dose to be eliminated from the bloodstream
C. It is the peak of how effective the medicine is
D. Drug is greatly reduced before it reaches the systemic circulation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a medication has a half-life, it refers to the time it takes for half of the dose to be eliminated from the bloodstream. This parameter is crucial in understanding the duration of action and dosing intervals for medications in clinical practice. Choice A is incorrect as the half-life is not about how long the medication lasts but about elimination from the body. Choice C is incorrect because the half-life is not about the peak effectiveness of the medicine. Choice D is incorrect as it does not accurately define the concept of half-life.

5. A healthcare professional is preparing to administer heparin 15,000 units subcutaneously every 12 hr. The amount available is heparin injection 20,000 units/mL. How many mL should the healthcare professional administer per dose?

A. 0.8 mL
B. 0.75 mL
C. 0.5 mL
D. 1 mL

Correct answer: A

Rationale: To calculate the volume to administer, use the formula: (Desired dose / Concentration) = Volume to administer. In this case, (15,000 units / 20,000 units/mL) = 0.75 mL, which is rounded up to 0.8 mL. Therefore, the healthcare professional should administer 0.8 mL per dose of heparin. Choice B (0.75 mL) is incorrect as it is the exact calculated volume but needs to be rounded up. Choices C (0.5 mL) and D (1 mL) are incorrect as they do not reflect the correct calculated volume for the desired dose of heparin.