Nursing Elites

1. A client who has a new prescription for alendronate is being taught by a nurse. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

• A. I should take this medication with a full glass of water before breakfast.
• B. I should take this medication with food to prevent gastrointestinal upset.
• C. I should remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking this medication.
• D. I should avoid taking this medication with antacids.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: "I should remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking this medication." This statement indicates understanding because clients taking alendronate should remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication to prevent esophageal irritation. Choice A is incorrect because alendronate should be taken with a full glass of water after waking up, not before breakfast. Choice B is incorrect because alendronate should be taken on an empty stomach, not with food. Choice D is incorrect because alendronate should be taken separately from antacids.

2. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for fluoxetine. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?

• A. "You should expect to feel an improvement in your symptoms within 1 week."
• B. "You may experience weight gain while taking this medication."
• C. "You should take this medication in the morning to prevent insomnia."
• D. "You should stop taking this medication if you experience dry mouth."

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct statement the nurse should include is that the client may experience weight gain while taking fluoxetine. Weight gain is a common side effect of fluoxetine, and patients should be informed about this potential issue. Stating that the client should expect improvement in symptoms within 1 week (Choice A) is incorrect as fluoxetine may take a few weeks to have a noticeable effect. Taking the medication in the morning to prevent insomnia (Choice C) is not necessary since fluoxetine can be taken at any time of the day. Instructing the client to stop taking the medication if experiencing dry mouth (Choice D) is misleading, as dry mouth is a common but usually not serious side effect of fluoxetine.

3. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is receiving heparin to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. aPTT of 38 seconds
• B. Hemoglobin of 15 g/dL
• C. Platelet count of 80,000/mm3
• D. INR of 1.0

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A platelet count of 80,000/mm3 is below the normal range and should be reported to the provider due to the risk of bleeding. Heparin can cause a rare but serious side effect known as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, leading to a decrease in platelet count and an increased risk of bleeding. The aPTT of 38 seconds, hemoglobin of 15 g/dL, and an INR of 1.0 are within normal ranges and not directly concerning in this scenario. Platelet count is crucial to monitor in clients receiving heparin therapy to ensure adequate clotting function and prevent bleeding complications.

4. A client is receiving discharge teaching for a new prescription of metformin. Which of the following client statements demonstrates an understanding of the teaching?

• A. I will take this medication with my meals.
• B. I will take this medication at the same time every day.
• C. I will avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication.
• D. I will expect to experience weight gain while taking this medication.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because clients taking metformin should avoid alcohol as it increases the risk of lactic acidosis. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Choice A is not specific to metformin but rather a general recommendation for some medications. Choice B is a good practice for medication adherence but does not relate specifically to metformin. Choice D is inaccurate as weight gain is not an expected side effect of metformin.

5. A healthcare professional is preparing to administer an IV bolus of morphine to a client. Which of the following actions should the healthcare professional take first?

• A. Check the client's respiratory rate.
• B. Administer naloxone.
• C. Check the client's pain level.
• D. Assess the client's blood pressure.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Correct Answer: Checking the client's respiratory rate is the priority before administering morphine because morphine can depress respiration. This action helps the healthcare professional assess the client's baseline respiratory status and detect any potential respiratory depression that may be exacerbated by morphine. Choice B, administering naloxone, is incorrect because naloxone is used as an antidote for opioid overdose and not routinely administered before giving morphine. Choice C, checking the client's pain level, is important but not the first action to take before administering morphine. Choice D, assessing the client's blood pressure, is also important but not the initial priority compared to evaluating respiratory status when preparing to administer morphine.

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