Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. A parent of a child with oral candidiasis is being taught by a nurse. Which statement by the parent indicates an understanding of the teaching?

• A. I will boil the nipples and pacifiers for 20 minutes each day.
• B. I will stop the medication as soon as the spots disappear.
• C. I will apply an over-the-counter steroid cream to the spots.
• D. I will mix the medication in my child's bottle.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Boiling the nipples and pacifiers for 20 minutes each day is an appropriate measure to prevent reinfection of oral candidiasis. This practice helps eliminate the Candida fungus from these items, reducing the risk of the child getting reinfected. It is crucial for the parent to follow this hygienic practice consistently to ensure the child's recovery and prevent the spread of the infection.

3. When teaching parents of a school-aged child with a new diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the tibia, which statement by the parents indicates an understanding of the teaching?

• A. My child will have a cast until healing is complete.
• B. My child will receive antibiotics for several weeks.
• C. My child can return to playing sports once he is discharged.
• D. My child needs to be in contact isolation.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Osteomyelitis of the tibia typically requires antibiotic therapy for at least 4 weeks. Surgery may be necessary if the infection does not respond to antibiotics. Weight-bearing should be avoided with osteomyelitis to prevent complications. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because a cast until healing, returning to sports immediately, and contact isolation are not primary management strategies for osteomyelitis.

4. During a vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell anemia, what action is crucial for a nurse to take?

• A. Administer meperidine for pain.
• B. Apply cold compresses to the child's joints.
• C. Limit the child's fluid intake.
• D. Maintain bed rest for the child.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: During a vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell anemia, maintaining bed rest is crucial to reduce oxygen consumption and alleviate pain. Movement can worsen the crisis by increasing sickling of red blood cells, leading to further tissue damage and pain. Bed rest helps to improve blood flow, reduce pain, and promote healing. Administering meperidine for pain (Choice A) is not recommended due to the risk of normeperidine accumulation and potential neurotoxicity. Applying cold compresses (Choice B) may cause vasoconstriction, worsening the vaso-occlusive crisis. Limiting fluid intake (Choice C) is not appropriate as adequate hydration is essential to prevent dehydration and maintain blood flow.

5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to the parent of a school-age child who has moderate persistent asthma. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. You should give your child his salmeterol inhaler every 4 hours when he is having an acute episode of wheezing.
• B. You should monitor your child's weight weekly while he is receiving inhaled corticosteroid therapy.
• C. Pulmonary function tests will be performed every 12 to 24 months to evaluate how your child is responding to therapy.
• D. When using the peak expiratory flow meter, record your child's average of three readings.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The nurse should inform the parent that the child will need pulmonary function tests every 12 to 24 months to assess lung function and response to treatment. These tests help evaluate the presence of lung disease, monitor disease progression, and assess the effectiveness of the current therapeutic regimen in managing asthma. Choice A is incorrect as salmeterol is not used for acute wheezing episodes but rather for long-term maintenance. Choice B is incorrect because weight monitoring is not directly related to inhaled corticosteroid therapy for asthma. Choice D is incorrect as peak expiratory flow meter readings should be recorded as instructed, not averaged.

Similar Questions