Nursing Elites

1. The client is on enoxaparin (Lovenox) for DVT prophylaxis. What is the most important lab value to monitor?

• A. Platelet count
• B. PT/INR
• C. aPTT
• D. Hemoglobin

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Platelet count. When a client is on enoxaparin (Lovenox), monitoring the platelet count is crucial as enoxaparin can lead to a rare but serious side effect known as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), causing a decrease in platelet count. Monitoring the platelet count helps detect this adverse reaction early. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because enoxaparin therapy does not directly affect PT/INR, aPTT, or hemoglobin levels.

2. Which heart chamber receives venous blood returning to the heart via the superior and inferior vena cava?

• A. Right atrium
• B. Left atrium
• C. Right ventricle
• D. Left ventricle

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Right atrium. The right atrium is the heart chamber that receives deoxygenated blood returning from the body via the superior and inferior vena cava. The blood enters the right atrium from the vena cava and then passes through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs, the right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs for oxygenation, and the left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the body.

3. The nurse is giving nitroglycerin sublingually for chest pain. What is the most important instruction to give to the client?

• A. Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve completely.
• B. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
• C. Chew the tablet and then swallow it.
• D. Take one tablet every 5 minutes until pain is relieved.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The tablet should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve completely to ensure rapid absorption. This route of administration allows the medication to be quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Choice B is incorrect because nitroglycerin is meant to be absorbed sublingually, not swallowed. Choice C is incorrect as chewing the tablet can cause the medication to be rapidly absorbed, leading to adverse effects like a drop in blood pressure. Choice D is incorrect because the client should take only one tablet every 5 minutes up to a maximum of three tablets for chest pain relief.

4. The nurse is teaching a client about the side effects of beta blockers. What is the most important side effect to monitor?

• A. Hypotension
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Hyperkalemia
• D. Tachycardia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most important side effect to monitor when a client is on beta blockers is hypotension. Beta blockers can cause a significant drop in blood pressure, especially at the initiation of therapy. Monitoring for hypotension is crucial to prevent complications such as dizziness, syncope, or falls. While bradycardia can also occur with beta blockers, hypotension takes precedence due to its immediate impact on perfusion. Hyperkalemia is not a common side effect of beta blockers. Tachycardia is actually a condition that beta blockers aim to treat, so it is not a side effect to monitor.

5. What test uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the heart, allowing doctors to assess its structure and function?

• A. Echocardiogram
• B. MRI
• C. CT scan
• D. X-ray

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram utilizes high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to create images of the heart, enabling doctors to evaluate its structure, function, and detect any abnormalities. MRI (Choice B) uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body's structures. CT scan (Choice C) combines X-rays and computer technology to create cross-sectional images of the body. X-ray (Choice D) uses electromagnetic radiation to produce images of the internal structures of the body, but it is not the most suitable for assessing the heart's structure and function.

Similar Questions