Nursing Elites

1. A client has a new prescription for Dabigatran. Which of the following instructions should be included?

• A. Take the medication with food.
• B. Store the capsules in a pill organizer.
• C. Crush the medication before swallowing.
• D. Expect frequent headaches while taking this medication.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Take the medication with food.' Taking Dabigatran with food is recommended to reduce gastrointestinal discomfort, a common side effect associated with this medication. Food can help minimize stomach irritation and improve tolerability. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Storing the capsules in a pill organizer (B) is a good practice for organization but not a specific instruction for this medication. Crushing the medication before swallowing (C) is not recommended for Dabigatran as it is available as a capsule and should be swallowed whole. Expecting frequent headaches while taking this medication (D) is not a common side effect of Dabigatran and should not be anticipated.

2. When providing teaching to a client with a prescription for Phenytoin, which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Take this medication at bedtime.
• B. Increase your intake of calcium-rich foods.
• C. Brush and floss your teeth regularly.
• D. Avoid eating foods high in potassium.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Brush and floss your teeth regularly.' Phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia, a side effect that affects the gums. It is crucial for the client to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent oral health complications. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. While the timing of medication administration and dietary considerations are important, they are not directly related to preventing the specific side effect of gingival hyperplasia caused by Phenytoin.

3. A healthcare professional reviewing a client's medical record notes a new prescription for verifying the trough level of the client's medication. Which of the following actions should the professional take?

• A. Obtain a blood specimen immediately prior to administering the next dose of medication.
• B. Verify that the client has been taking the medication for 24 hours before obtaining a blood specimen.
• C. Ask the client to provide a urine specimen after the next dose of medication.
• D. Administer the medication, and obtain a blood specimen 30 minutes later.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: To verify trough levels of a medication, the healthcare professional should obtain a blood specimen immediately before administering the next dose of medication. This timing ensures an accurate representation of the medication's lowest concentration in the bloodstream, which is crucial for therapeutic monitoring and dose adjustments. Choice B is incorrect because waiting 24 hours after taking the medication would not provide an accurate trough level. Choice C is incorrect as urine specimens are not used to measure trough levels. Choice D is incorrect because obtaining a blood specimen 30 minutes after administering the medication would not reflect the trough level, as it is the lowest concentration before the next dose.

4. A client is starting therapy with cisplatin. The healthcare provider should instruct the client to report which of the following adverse effects?

• A. Tinnitus
• B. Nausea
• C. Constipation
• D. Weight gain

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is tinnitus. Cisplatin can cause ototoxicity, which may manifest as tinnitus. Tinnitus should be reported promptly to the healthcare provider to prevent further hearing damage.

5. A healthcare professional is preparing to initiate IV therapy for an older adult client. Which of the following actions should the professional plan to take?

• A. Use an electric shaver to remove excess hair on the extremity.
• B. Select the antecubital area to insert the IV catheter.
• C. Distend the veins by using a blood pressure cuff.
• D. Instruct the client to keep the extremity still during the procedure.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Distending the veins using a blood pressure cuff is essential for facilitating visualization and access to the veins during IV catheter insertion. This technique helps healthcare professionals identify suitable veins, reducing the risk of complications like infiltration or hematoma formation. Using an electric shaver to remove hair on the extremity (Choice A) may increase the risk of micro-cuts and introduce infection. Selecting the antecubital area (Choice B) may not always be appropriate, as vein condition and accessibility vary among older adult clients. Instructing the client to keep the extremity still (Choice D) is important but is not directly related to preparing for IV therapy.

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