Nursing Elites

1. The client on atorvastatin (Lipitor) should be advised to report which of the following symptoms?

• A. Muscle pain
• B. Headache
• C. Nausea
• D. Dizziness

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Muscle pain. Muscle pain can be a sign of rhabdomyolysis, a serious side effect of statins like atorvastatin. Rhabdomyolysis is a condition where muscle fibers break down rapidly and release their contents into the bloodstream, which can lead to kidney damage. Headache, nausea, and dizziness are not commonly associated with atorvastatin use and are less likely to indicate a serious adverse reaction compared to muscle pain.

2. What test measures the pressure inside the arteries as the heart pumps blood?

• A. Blood pressure test
• B. Pulse oximetry
• C. Echocardiogram
• D. Spirometry

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A) Blood pressure test. A blood pressure test is specifically designed to measure the pressure inside the arteries as the heart pumps blood. This test is crucial in providing information about cardiovascular health by determining the force of blood against the artery walls. Choice B, Pulse oximetry, measures oxygen saturation in the blood, not blood pressure. Choice C, Echocardiogram, is an ultrasound test that evaluates the structure and function of the heart, not specifically blood pressure. Choice D, Spirometry, is a test used to assess lung function, not blood pressure.

3. The nurse is giving digoxin to a client. What is the most important parameter to check before administration?

• A. Heart rate
• B. Blood pressure
• C. Respiratory rate
• D. Oxygen saturation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Heart rate. Before administering digoxin, it is crucial to check the client's heart rate because digoxin can cause bradycardia, an abnormally slow heart rate. Monitoring the heart rate is essential to prevent potential complications associated with digoxin therapy. Choices B, C, and D are less critical parameters to assess before administering digoxin. While blood pressure is also important to monitor during digoxin therapy, the most crucial parameter to check due to the medication's potential effect on heart rate is the heart rate itself.

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. Which type of medication helps to reduce the workload on the heart by slowing down the heart rate?

• A. Beta-blocker
• B. Calcium channel blocker
• C. Diuretic
• D. ACE inhibitor

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Beta-blockers are medications that work by blocking the action of hormones like adrenaline, thereby reducing the heart rate and the workload on the heart. This makes them effective in managing high blood pressure and various heart conditions. Calcium channel blockers work by relaxing blood vessels and reducing the heart's workload, but they do not primarily slow down the heart rate. Diuretics help the body get rid of excess salt and water by increasing urine production, which can lower blood pressure but not by slowing down the heart rate. ACE inhibitors work by relaxing blood vessels, not by directly affecting heart rate.

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