Nursing Elites

1. The caregiver is teaching a parent of a young child with a newly diagnosed seizure disorder. The child is prescribed valproic acid (Depakote) for control of seizures. Which parental statement indicates the need for further education?

• A. I will not use carbonated beverages to dilute his medication.
• B. I will give his medication with food to minimize gastrointestinal upset.
• C. I will not let him chew his tablet.
• D. I will bring him to the physician's office for regular blood work to check his blood levels.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Valproic acid should be administered with food to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset. Giving it on an empty stomach may increase the likelihood of adverse effects. The other statements are correct: A - Carbonated beverages should not be used to dilute the medication, C - The tablet should not be chewed, and D - Regular blood work is necessary to monitor valproic acid levels and potential side effects.

2. The patient taking spironolactone (Aldactone) makes a statement indicating effective teaching. Which statement shows understanding of the teaching?

• A. I will use salt substitutes to lower my sodium intake
• B. I will increase my intake of foods that are high in potassium
• C. I will call my doctor if I begin having menstrual irregularities
• D. I will take this medication at bedtime each evening

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can cause endocrine effects like menstrual irregularities. Therefore, the patient recognizing the need to report such changes indicates effective teaching. Choices A and B are incorrect as salt substitutes and high-potassium foods should be avoided with spironolactone. Choice D is also incorrect because diuretics, including spironolactone, are ideally taken in the morning to prevent disturbances in sleep due to nocturia.

3. When educating a parent of a child with HIV, which statement indicates an understanding of the teaching?

• A. I will notify my child's school about their condition.
• B. I will give my child the prescribed antiretroviral medication at regular intervals.
• C. I will expect my child to receive yearly immunizations.
• D. I will bring my child in for yearly skin testing.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because ensuring the child receives the prescribed antiretroviral medication at regular intervals is crucial in maintaining therapeutic levels and preventing drug resistance in a child with HIV. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because notifying the school about the condition, expecting yearly immunizations, and bringing the child in for yearly skin testing do not directly address the essential aspect of medication adherence, which is fundamental in managing HIV in children.

4. The nurse provides discharge instructions to a patient prescribed verapamil SR 120mg PO daily for HTN. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the medication?

• A. “I will take the medication with grapefruit juice each morning.”
• B. “I should expect occasional loose stools from this medication”
• C. “I’ll need to reduce the amount of fiber in my diet”
• D. “I must swallow the pill whole.”

Correct answer: D

Rationale: “SR” indicates that the drug is sustained release; therefore, the patient must swallow the pill intact, without chewing or crushing, which would result in a bolus effect. Grapefruit juice should be avoided, because it can inhibit intestinal and hepatic metabolism of the drug, thereby raising the drug level. Constipation, not loose stools, is a common side effect. Increasing fluids and dietary fiber can help prevent this adverse effect.

5. A healthcare provider is assessing the pain level of a three-year-old toddler. Which of the following pain assessment scales should the healthcare provider use?

• A. FACES Pain rating scale
• B. Numeric pain rating scale
• C. CRIES pain assessment scale
• D. Non-communicating children's pain checklist

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The healthcare provider should use the FACES pain rating scale for pediatric clients who are 3 years old and older. This scale allows the toddler to point to the face that depicts the current level of pain, making it a suitable choice for non-verbal or young children who may have difficulty expressing their pain verbally.

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