Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is evaluating teaching for a client who has Rheumatoid Arthritis and a new prescription for Methotrexate. Which of the following statements by the client indicates understanding of the teaching?

• A. I will be sure to return to the clinic at least once a year to have my blood drawn while I'm taking methotrexate.
• B. I will take this medication on an empty stomach.
• C. I'll let the doctor know if I develop sores in my mouth while taking this medication.
• D. I should stop taking oral contraceptives while I'm taking methotrexate.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Ulcerations in the mouth, tongue, or throat are often the first signs of methotrexate toxicity and should be reported to the provider immediately.

2. A client is prescribed levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the medication is effective?

• A. Decreased heart rate
• B. Increased energy levels
• C. Weight loss
• D. Improved mental clarity

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Increased energy levels are a key indicator of the effectiveness of levothyroxine in treating hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine works to regulate thyroid hormone levels, which can lead to improved energy levels as the body's metabolism is restored. While the other options may also improve with treatment, increased energy levels directly reflect the correction of the thyroid hormone imbalance. Decreased heart rate can be an indicator of overmedication, weight loss can be attributed to increased metabolism but may not directly reflect the effectiveness of levothyroxine, and improved mental clarity is a more general cognitive improvement that may not directly relate to thyroid function.

3. A client has a new prescription for Warfarin. The nurse should identify that the concurrent use of which of the following medications increases the client's risk of bleeding?

• A. Vitamin K
• B. Calcium carbonate
• C. Acetaminophen
• D. Ranitidine

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is Acetaminophen. Acetaminophen, especially in high doses, can increase the risk of bleeding in clients taking warfarin. Warfarin works by inhibiting the clotting factors dependent on vitamin K, so Vitamin K intake should be consistent but not excessive. Calcium carbonate and ranitidine do not significantly increase the risk of bleeding when used concurrently with Warfarin.

4. When administering medications to a 4-month-old infant, which of the following pharmacokinetic principles should be considered? (Select all that apply.)

• A. Infants have a more rapid gastric emptying time.
• B. Infants have immature liver function.
• C. Infants' blood-brain barrier is poorly developed.
• D. Infants have an increased ability to absorb topical medications.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When administering medications to a 4-month-old infant, the pharmacokinetic principle to consider is that infants have immature liver function until 1 year of age. This requires medications metabolized by the liver to be administered in smaller dosages. While infants do have a more rapid gastric emptying time, immature liver function is a more critical pharmacokinetic consideration in this context. Additionally, although infants have a poorly developed blood-brain barrier, this relates more to pharmacodynamic effects rather than pharmacokinetic principles. The statement about infants having an increased ability to absorb topical medications is not directly related to pharmacokinetic principles, making choice B the correct answer.

5. When administering Lithium to a patient, what is a life-threatening side effect?

• A. Erythema
• B. Pancreatitis
• C. Seizures
• D. Headache

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a patient is being treated with Lithium, a life-threatening side effect to watch out for is seizures. Lithium can lower the seizure threshold, increasing the risk of seizures. Seizures are serious and necessitate prompt medical intervention to ensure the patient's safety and well-being. Erythema, which is redness of the skin, is not a common life-threatening side effect of Lithium. Pancreatitis can be a side effect of Lithium, but it is not typically life-threatening. Headache is a common side effect of Lithium, but it is not considered life-threatening.

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