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NURS PHARM CH 1:The Nursing Process And Drug Therapy questions with complete solutions 2023 a+ guaranteed success
Typology: Exams
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MULTIPLE CHOICE The nurse is writing a nursing diagnosis for a plan of care for a patient who has been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Which statement reflects the correct format for a nursing diagnosis? d. (^) Anxiety related to new drug therapy, as evidenced by statements such as “I’m upset about having to test my blood sugars.” ANS: D Formulation of nursing diagnoses is usually a three-step process. “Anxiety” is missing the “related to” and “as evidenced by” portions of defining characteristics. “Anxiety related to new drug therapy” is missing the “as evidenced by” portion of defining characteristics. The statement beginning “Anxiety related to anxious feelings” is incorrect because the “related to” section is simply a restatement of the problem “anxiety,” not a separate factor related to the response. The patient is to receive oral guaifenesin (Mucinex) twice a day. Today, the nurse was busy and gave the medication 2 hours after the scheduled dose was due. What type of problem does this represent? a. (^) “Right time” ANS: A “Right time” is correct because the medication was given more than 30 minutes after the scheduled dose was due. “Dose” is incorrect because the dose is not related to the time the medication administration is scheduled. “Route” is incorrect because the route is not affected. “Medication” is incorrect because the medication ordered will not change. The nurse has been monitoring the patient’s progress on a new drug regimen since the first dose and documenting the patient’s therapeutic response to the medication. Which phase of the nursing process do these actions illustrate? d. (^) Evaluation ANS: D Monitoring the patient’s progress, including the patient’s response to the medication, is part of the evaluation phase. Planning, implementation, and nursing diagnosis are not illustrated by this example. The nurse is assigned to a patient who is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which statement best illustrates an outcome criterion for this patient?
d. (^) The patient will demonstrate correct blood glucose testing technique. ANS: D “Demonstrating correct blood glucose testing technique” is a specific and measurable outcome criterion. “Following instructions” and “not experiencing complications” are not specific criteria. “Adhering to new regimen” would be difficult to measure. Which activity best reflects the implementation phase of the nursing process for the patient who is newly diagnosed with hypertension? a. (^) Providing education on keeping a journal of blood pressure readings ANS: A Education is an intervention that occurs during the implementation phase. Setting goals and outcomes reflects the planning phase. Recording a drug history reflects the assessment phase. Formulating nursing diagnoses reflects analysis of data as part of planning. The medication order reads, “Give ondansetron (Zofran) 4 mg, 30 minutes before beginning chemotherapy to prevent nausea.” The nurse notes that the route is missing from the order. What is the nurse’s best action? c. (^) Contact the prescriber to clarify the route of the medication ordered. ANS: C A complete medication order includes the route of administration. If a medication order does not include the route, the nurse must ask the prescriber to clarify it. The intravenous and oral routes are not interchangeable. Holding the medication until the prescriber returns would mean that the patient would not receive a needed medication. When the nurse considers the timing of a drug dose, which factor is appropriate to consider when deciding when to give a drug? c. (^) The patient’s last meal ANS: C The nurse must consider specific pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic drug properties that may be affected by the timing of the last meal. The patient’s ability to swallow, height, and allergies are not factors to consider regarding the timing of the drug’s administration. The nurse is performing an assessment of a newly admitted patient. Which is an example of subjective data? c. (^) The patient reports that he uses the herbal product ginkgo. ANS: C Subjective data include information shared through the spoken word by any reliable source, such as the patient. Objective data may be defined as any information gathered through the senses or that which is seen, heard, felt, or smelled. A patient’s blood pressure, weight, and laboratory tests are all examples of objective data.
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
MULTIPLE CHOICE The patient is receiving two different drugs. At current dosages and dosage forms, both drugs are absorbed into the circulation in identical amounts. Which term is used to identify this principle? a. (^) Bioequivalent ANS: A Two drugs absorbed into the circulation in the same amount (in specific dosage forms) have the same bioavailability; thus, they are bioequivalent. A drug’s steady state is the physiologic state in which the amount of drug removed via elimination is equal to the amount of drug absorbed from each dose. The term synergistic refers to two drugs, given together, with a resulting effect that is greater than the sum of the effects of each drug given alone. A prodrug is an inactive drug dosage form that is converted to an active metabolite by various biochemical reactions once it is inside the body.
When given an intravenous medication, the patient says to the nurse, “I usually take pills. Why does this medication have to be given in the arm?” What is the nurse’s best answer? c. (^) “The action of the medication will begin sooner when given intravenously.” ANS: C An intravenous (IV) injection provides the fastest route of absorption. The IV route does not affect the number of adverse effects, nor does it cause delayed tissue absorption (it results in faster absorption). The IV route does not affect the number of allergic reactions. The nurse is administering parenteral drugs. Which statement is true regarding parenteral drugs? a. (^) Parenteral drugs bypass the first-pass effect. ANS: A Drugs given by the parenteral route bypass the first-pass effect. Reduced blood flow to the stomach and the presence of food in the stomach apply to enteral drugs (taken orally), not to parenteral drugs. Parenteral drugs must be absorbed into cells and tissues from the circulation before they can exert their effects; they do not exert their effects while circulating in the bloodstream. When monitoring the patient receiving an intravenous infusion to reduce blood pressure, the nurse notes that the patient’s blood pressure is extremely low, and the patient is lethargic and difficult to awaken. This would be classified as which type of adverse drug reaction? d. (^) Pharmacologic reaction ANS: D A pharmacologic reaction is an extension of a drug’s normal effects in the body. In this case, the antihypertensive drug lowered the patient’s blood pressure levels too much. The other options do not describe a pharmacologic reaction. An adverse effect is a predictable, well- known adverse drug reaction that results in minor or no changes in patient management. An allergic reaction (also known as a hypersensitivity reaction ) involves the patient’s immune system. An idiosyncratic reaction is unexpected and is defined as a genetically determined abnormal response to normal dosages of a drug. The nurse is reviewing pharmacology terms for a group of newly graduated nurses. Which sentence defines a drug’s half-life? c. (^) The time it takes for one half of the original amount of a drug to be removed from the body ANS: C A drug’s half-life is the time it takes for one half of the original amount of a drug to be removed from the body. It is a measure of the rate at which drugs are removed from the body. The other options are incorrect definitions of half-life.
When administering drugs, the nurse remembers that the duration of action of a drug is defined as which of these? d. (^) The time period at which a drug’s concentration is sufficient to cause a therapeutic response ANS: D Duration of action is the time during which drug concentration is sufficient to elicit a therapeutic response. The other options do not define duration of action. A drug’s onset of action is the time it takes for the drug to elicit a therapeutic response. A drug’s peak effect is the time it takes for the drug to reach its maximum therapeutic response. Elimination is the length of time it takes to remove a drug from circulation. When reviewing the mechanism of action of a specific drug, the nurse reads that the drug works by selective enzyme interaction. Which of these processes describes selective enzyme interaction? d. (^) The drug binds to an enzyme molecule and inhibits or enhances the enzyme’s action with the normal target cell. ANS: D With selective enzyme interaction, the drug attracts the enzymes to bind with the drug instead of allowing the enzymes to bind with their normal target cells. As a result, the target cells are protected from the action of the enzymes. This results in a drug effect. The actions described in the other options do not occur with selective enzyme interactions. When administering a new medication to a patient, the nurse reads that it is highly protein bound. Assuming that the patient’s albumin levels are normal, the nurse would expect which result, as compared to a medication that is not highly protein bound? d. (^) The duration of action of the medication will be longer. ANS: D Drugs that are bound to plasma proteins are characterized by longer duration of action. Protein binding does not make renal excretion faster, does not speed up drug metabolism, and does not cause the duration of action to be shorter. The patient is experiencing chest pain and needs to take a sublingual form of nitroglycerin. Where does the nurse instruct the patient to place the tablet? a. (^) Under the tongue ANS: A Drugs administered via the sublingual route are placed under the tongue. Drugs administered via the buccal route are placed in the space between the cheek and the gum; oral drugs are swallowed. The other options are incorrect.
The nurse is administering medications to the patient who is in renal failure resulting from end-stage renal disease. The nurse is aware that patients with kidney failure would most likely have problems with which pharmacokinetic phase? d. (^) Excretion ANS: D The kidneys are the organs that are most responsible for drug excretion. Renal function does not affect the absorption and distribution of a drug. Renal function may affect metabolism of drugs to a small extent. A patient who has advanced cancer is receiving opioid medications around the clock to keep him comfortable as he nears the end of his life. Which term best describes this type of therapy? a. (^) Palliative therapy ANS: A The goal of palliative therapy is to make the patient as comfortable as possible. It is typically used in the end stages of illnesses when all attempts at curative therapy have failed. Maintenance therapy is used for the treatment of chronic illnesses such as hypertension. Empiric therapy is based on clinical probabilities and involves drug administration when a certain pathologic condition has an uncertain but high likelihood of occurrence based on the patient’s initial presenting symptoms. Supplemental (or replacement therapy) supplies the body with a substance needed to maintain normal function. The patient is complaining of a headache and asks the nurse which over-the-counter medication form would work the fastest to help reduce the pain. Which medication form will the nurse suggest? d. (^) A powder ANS: D Of the types of oral medications listed, the powder form would be absorbed the fastest, thus having a faster onset. The tablet, the capsule, and, finally, the enteric-coated tablet would be absorbed next, in that order. The nurse will be injecting a drug into the fatty tissue of the patient’s abdomen. Which route does this describe? b. (^) Subcutaneous ANS: B Injections into the fatty subcutaneous tissue under the dermal layer of skin are referred to as subcutaneous injections. Injections under the more superficial skin layers immediately underneath the epidermal layer of skin and into the dermal layer are known as intradermal injections. Injections into the muscle beneath the subcutaneous fatty tissue are referred to as intramuscular injections. Transdermal drugs are applied to the skin via an adhesive patch.
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
calculating doses for pediatric patients. The other options are available methods but are not the most commonly used. Height-to-weight ratio is not used. The nurse is assessing a newly admitted 83-year-old patient and determines that the patient is experiencing polypharmacy. Which statement most accurately illustrates polypharmacy? d. (^) The patient uses multiple medications simultaneously. ANS: D Polypharmacy usually occurs when a patient has several illnesses and takes medications for each of them, possibly prescribed by different specialists who may be unaware of other treatments the patient is undergoing. The other options are incorrect. Polypharmacy addresses the medications taken, not just the illnesses. Polypharmacy means the patient is taking several different medications, not just one, and can include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal products. The nurse is aware that confusion, forgetfulness, and increased risk for falls are common responses in an elderly patient who is taking which type of drug? c. (^) Sedatives ANS: C Sedatives and hypnotics often cause confusion, daytime sedation, ataxia, lethargy, forgetfulness, and increased risk for falls in the elderly. Laxatives, anticoagulants, and antidepressants may cause adverse effects in the elderly, but not the ones specified in the question.
For accurate medication administration to pediatric patients, the nurse must take into account which criteria? a. (^) Organ maturity ANS: A To administer medications to pediatric patients accurately, one must take into account organ maturity, body surface area, age, and weight. The other options are incorrect; renal output and body temperature are not considerations, and height alone is not sufficient. The nurse recognizes that it is not uncommon for an elderly patient to experience a reduction in the stomach’s ability to produce hydrochloric acid. This change may result in which effect? d. (^) Altered absorption of weakly acidic drugs ANS: D Reduction in the stomach’s ability to produce hydrochloric acid is an aging-related change that results in a decrease in gastric acidity and may alter the absorption of weakly acidic drugs. The other options are not results of reduced hydrochloric acid production. The nurse is administering drugs to neonates and will consider which factor may contribute the most to drug toxicity? c. (^) The liver is not fully developed. ANS: C A neonate’s liver is not fully developed and cannot detoxify many drugs. The other options are incorrect. The lungs and kidneys do not play major roles in drug metabolism. Renal excretion is slow, not fast, because of organ immaturity, but this is not the factor that contributes the most to drug toxicity. An 83-year-old woman has been given a thiazide diuretic to treat mild heart failure. She and her daughter should be told to watch for which problems? b. (^) Fatigue, leg cramps, and dehydration ANS: B Electrolyte imbalance, leg cramps, fatigue, and dehydration are common complications when thiazide diuretics are given to elderly patients. The other options do not describe complications that occur when these drugs are given to the elderly. An elderly patient with a new diagnosis of hypertension will be receiving a new prescription for an antihypertensive drug. The nurse expects which type of dosing to occur with this drug therapy? d. (^) The patient will receive the lowest possible dose at first, and then the dose will be increased as needed. ANS: D
As a general rule, dosing for elderly patients should follow the admonition, “Start low, and go slow,” which means to start with the lowest possible dose (often less than an average adult dose) and increase the dose slowly, if needed, based on patient response. The other responses are incorrect. The nurse is trying to give a liquid medication to a -year-old child and notes that the medication has a strong taste. Which technique is the best way for the nurse to give the medication to this child? a. (^) Give the medication with a spoonful of ice cream. ANS: A Ice cream or another nonessential food disguises the taste of the medication. The other options are incorrect. If the child does not drink the entire contents of the bottle, medication is wasted and the full dose is not administered. Using the word candy with drugs may lead to the child thinking that drugs are actually candy. If the medication is mixed with a cup of milk, the child may not drink the entire cup of milk, and the distasteful drug may cause the child to refuse milk in the future. The nurse is preparing to give an injection to a 4-year-old child. Which intervention is age appropriate for this child? c. (^) Offer a brief, concrete explanation of the procedure at the patient’s level and with the parent or caregiver present. ANS: C For a 4-year-old child, offering a brief, concrete explanation about a procedure just beforehand, with the parent or caregiver present, is appropriate. The other options are incorrect for any age group. MULTIPLE RESPONSE
MULTIPLE CHOICE During the development of a new drug, which would be included in the study by the researcher to prevent any bias or unrealistic expectations of the new drug’s usefulness? a. (^) A placebo ANS: A
To prevent bias that may occur as a result of unrealistic expectations of an investigational new drug, a placebo is incorporated into the study. The other options are incorrect. FDA approval, if given, does not occur until after phase III. Informed consent is required in all drug studies. Safety information is not determined until the study is under way. A member of an investigational drug study team is working with healthy volunteers whose participation will help to determine the optimal dosage range and pharmacokinetics of the drug. The team member is participating in what type of study? a. (^) Phase I ANS: A Phase I studies involve small numbers of healthy volunteers to determine optimal dosage range and the pharmacokinetics of the drug. The other phases progressively involve volunteers who have the disease or ailment that the drug is designed to diagnose or treat. During discharge patient teaching, the nurse reviews prescriptions with a patient. Which statement is correct about refills for an analgesic that is classified as Schedule C- III? c. (^) The patient may have no more than five refills in a 6-month period. ANS: C Schedule C-III medications may be refilled no more than five times in a 6-month period. The patient should be informed of this regulation. No prescription refills are permitted for Schedule C-II drugs. Requiring refills by written prescription only applies to Schedule C-II drugs. Schedule C-III prescriptions (written or oral) expire in 6 months. A patient has been selected as a potential recipient of an experimental drug for heart failure. The nurse knows that when informed consent has been obtained, it indicates which of these? d. (^) The patient has had the study’s purpose, procedures, and the risks involved explained to him. ANS: D Informed consent involves the careful explanation of the purpose of the study, the procedures to be used, and the risks involved. The other options do not describe informed consent. For which cultural group must the health care provider respect the value placed on preserving harmony with nature and the belief that disease is a result of ill spirits? c. (^) Native Americans ANS: C Some Native Americans believe in preserving harmony with nature and that disease is a result of ill spirits. The groups listed in the other options do not typically reflect these practices.
d. (^) The nurse is assessing an elderly Hispanic woman who is being treated for hypertension. During the assessment, what is important for the nurse to remember about cultural aspects?The nurse’s assessment needs to include gathering information regarding religious practices and beliefs regarding medication, treatment, and healing. ANS: D All beliefs need to be considered clearly so as to prevent a conflict from arising between the goals of nursing and health care and the dictates of a patient’s cultural background. Assessing religious practices and beliefs is part of a thorough cultural assessment. The other options are incorrect. The nurse should not ignore a patient’s cultural practices. The concept of balance among body, mind, and environment and the valuing of protective bracelets and root workers reflect beliefs or practices that usually do not apply to the Hispanic cultural group. When reviewing the various schedules of controlled drugs, the nurse knows that which description correctly describes Schedule II drugs? a. (^) Drugs with high potential for abuse that have accepted medical use ANS: A Schedule II drugs are those with high potential for abuse but that have accepted medical use. Drugs that have high potential for abuse but do not have accepted medical use are Schedule I drugs. Medically accepted drugs that may cause moderate physical or psychologic dependence are Schedule III drugs. Medically accepted drugs with limited potential for causing physical or psychologic dependence are Schedule IV and V drugs. The nurse is reviewing facts about pharmacology for a review course. The term legend drug refers to which item? b. (^) Prescription drugs ANS: B The term legend drug refers to prescription drugs, which were differentiated from over-the- counter drugs by the 1951 Durham-Humphrey Amendment. Orphan drugs are drugs that are developed for rare diseases. The other options are not examples of legend drugs. Nurses have the ethical responsibility to tell the truth to their patients. What is this principle known as? b. (^) Veracity ANS: B Veracity is defined as the duty to tell the truth. Justice is the ethical principle of being fair or equal in one’s actions. Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing or actively promoting good. Autonomy is self-determination, or the ability to make one’s own decisions.
A patient is undergoing major surgery and asks the nurse about a living will. He states, “I don’t want anybody else making decisions for me. And I don’t want to prolong my life.” The patient is demonstrating which ethical term? a. (^) Autonomy ANS: A Autonomy includes self-determination, or the ability to act on one’s own, including making one’s own decisions about health care. Veracity is defined as the duty to tell the truth. Justice is the ethical principle of being fair or equal in one’s actions. Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing or actively promoting good. The nurse is reviewing a list of scheduled drugs and notes that Schedule C-I drugs are not on the list. Which is a characteristic of Schedule C-I drugs? d. (^) They are used only with approved protocols. ANS: D Schedule C-I drugs are used only with approved protocols. Schedule C-II drugs are available only by written prescription, and refills are not permitted. Being available over-the-counter with a signature may be true of Schedule C-V drugs in certain states. During a busy night shift, a new nurse administered an unfamiliar medication without checking it in a drug handbook. Later that day, the patient had a severe reaction because he has renal problems, which was a contraindication to that drug. The nurse may be liable for which of these? b. (^) Nursing negligence ANS: B Negligence is the failure to act in a reasonable and prudent manner or failure of the nurse to give the care that a reasonably prudent (cautious) nurse would render or use under similar circumstances. In this case, nursing negligence applies to nurses, not medical negligence. Nonmaleficence is defined as the duty to do no harm; autonomy is defined as the right to make one’s own decisions, or self-determination. MULTIPLE RESPONSE The nurse is reviewing the concept of drug polymorphism. Which factors contribute to drug polymorphism? ( Select all that apply .) b. (^) Inherited factors c. (^) The patient’s diet and nutritional status e. (^) The patient’s health beliefs and practices ANS: B, C, E Inherited factors, diet and nutritional status, and health beliefs and practices are some of the factors that contribute to drug polymorphism. The other options are not factors that contribute to drug polymorphism.
The nurse is performing an admission assessment. Which findings reflect components of a cultural assessment? ( Select all that apply .) a. (^) The patient uses aspirin as needed for pain. c. (^) The patient uses herbal tea to relax in the evenings. d. (^) The patient does not speak English. f. (^) The patient does not eat pork products for religious reasons. ANS: A, C, D, F The past use of medicines, use of herbal treatments, languages spoken, and religious practices and beliefs are components of a cultural assessment. The other options reflect components of a general medication assessment or health history.
MULTIPLE CHOICE The nurse is reviewing medication errors. Which situation is an example of a medication error? b. (^) A patient receives a double dose of a medication because the nurse did not cut the pill in half. ANS: B A medication error is defined as a preventable adverse drug event that involves inappropriate medication use by a patient or health care provider. The other options are not preventable. The patient’s refusing to take medications and complaining of pain after a medication is given are patient behaviors, and the development of hives is a possible allergic reaction. The nurse is reviewing a list of verbal medication orders. Which is the proper notation of the dose of the drug ordered? c. (^) Digoxin 0.125 mg ANS: C Digoxin 0.125 mg illustrates the correct notation with a leading zero before the decimal point. Omitting the leading zero may cause the order to be misread, resulting in a large drug overdose. Digoxin .125 mg and digoxin .1250 mg do not have the leading zero before the decimal point. Digoxin 0.1250 mg has a trailing zero, which also is incorrect. When given a scheduled morning medication, the patient states, “I haven’t seen that pill before. Are you sure it’s correct?” The nurse checks the medication administration record and verifies that it is listed. Which is the nurse’s best response? d. (^) “Let me check on the order first before you take it.”
ANS: D When giving medications, the nurse should always listen to and honor any concerns or doubts expressed by the patient. If the patient doubts an order, the nurse should check the written order and/or check with the prescriber. The other options illustrate that the nurse is not listening to the patient’s concerns. During a period of time when the computerized medication order system was down, the prescriber wrote admission orders, and the nurse is transcribing them. The nurse is having difficulty transcribing one order because of the prescriber’s handwriting. Which is the best action for the nurse to take at this time? b. (^) Contact the prescriber to clarify the order. ANS: B If a prescriber writes an order that is illegible, the nurse should contact the prescriber for clarification. Asking a colleague is not useful because the colleague did not write the order. Waiting for the prescriber to return is incorrect because it would delay implementation of the order. Asking the patient about medications is incorrect because this question will not clarify the current order written by the prescriber. When taking a telephone order for a medication, which action by the nurse is most appropriate? c. (^) Repeat the order to the prescriber before hanging up the telephone. ANS: C For telephone or verbal orders, repeat the order back to the prescriber before hanging up the telephone. The other options are incorrect. MULTIPLE RESPONSE
ANS: 0.088 mg One mg equals 1000 mcg. To convert 88 mcg to mg, divide 88 by 1000 to equal 0.088 mg, or move the decimal point to the left three spaces. Do not forget to include the leading zero. Digoxin is available in 0.125-mg tablet form. Convert this dose to microgram strength. (do not round) ANS: 125 mcg One mg equals 1000 mcg. To convert 0.125 mg to mcg, multiply by 1000 to equal 125 mcg, or move the decimal point to the right three spaces.
MULTIPLE CHOICE Which nursing diagnosis is appropriate for the patient who has just received a prescription for a new medication? d. (^) Deficient knowledge related to newly prescribed drug therapy ANS: D A patient who has a limited understanding of newly prescribed drug therapy may have the nursing diagnosis of deficient knowledge. Noncompliance is incorrect because that term implies that the patient does not follow a recommended regimen, which is not the case with a newly prescribed drug. Impaired memory is not appropriate in this situation. “Lack of knowledge” is not a nursing diagnosis. The nurse is developing a care plan for a patient who will be self-administering insulin injections. Which statement reflects a measurable outcome? c. (^) The patient will demonstrate the proper technique of self-administering insulin injections. ANS: C The word demonstrate is a measurable verb, and measurable terms should be used when developing goals and outcome criteria statements. The other options are incorrect because the terms know , understand , and comprehend are not measurable terms. During a nursing assessment, which question by the nurse allows for greater clarification and additional discussion with the patient?
b. (^) “What medications do you take?” ANS: B Asking “What medications do you take?” is an open-ended question that will encourage greater clarification and additional discussion with the patient. The other options are examples of closed-ended questions, which prompt only a “yes” or “no” answer and provide limited information. The nurse is setting up a teaching session with an 85-year-old patient who will be going home on anticoagulant therapy. Which educational strategy would reflect consideration of the age- related changes that may exist with this patient? d. (^) Develop large-print handouts that reflect the verbal information presented. ANS: D Developing large-print handouts addresses altered perception in two ways. First, by using visual aids to reinforce verbal instructions, one addresses the possibility of decreased ability to hear high-frequency sounds. By developing the handouts in large print, one addresses the possibility of decreased visual acuity. Showing a video does not allow discussion of the information; furthermore, the text and print may be small and difficult to read and understand. Presenting all the information in one session before discharge also does not allow for discussion, and the patient may not be able to hear or see the information sufficiently. Because of the possibility of decreased short-term memory and slowed cognitive function, giving pamphlets to read may not be appropriate. When the nurse teaches a skill such as self-injection of insulin to the patient, what is the best way to set up the teaching/learning session? d. (^) After demonstrating the procedure, allow the patient to do several return demonstrations. ANS: D Return demonstration allows the nurse to evaluate the patient’s newly learned skills. The techniques in the other options are incorrect because those suggestions do not allow for evaluation of the patient’s technique. A patient with a new prescription for a diuretic has just reviewed with the nurse how to include more potassium in her diet. This reflects learning in which domain? a. (^) Cognitive ANS: A The cognitive domain refers to problem-solving abilities and may involve recall and knowledge of facts. The affective domain refers to values and beliefs. The term physical does not refer to one of the learning domains. The psychomotor domain involves behaviors such as learning how to perform a procedure.
During an admission assessment, the nurse discovers that the patient does not speak English. Which is considered the ideal resource for translation? c. (^) A translator who does not know the patient ANS: C The nurse should communicate with the patient in the patient’s native language if at all possible. If the nurse is not able to speak the patient’s native language, a translator should be made available so as to prevent communication problems, minimize errors, and help boost the patient’s level of trust and understanding of the nurse. In practice, this translator may be another nurse or health care professional, a nonprofessional member of the health care team, or a layperson, family member, adult friend, or religious leader or associate. However, it is best to avoid family members as translators, if possible, because of issues with bias, misinterpretation, and potential confidentiality issues. The nurse is teaching a 16-year-old patient who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes about blood glucose monitoring and the importance of regulating glucose intake. When developing a teaching plan for this teenager, which of Erikson’s stages of development should the nurse consider? d. (^) Identity versus role confusion ANS: D According to Erikson, the adolescent (12 to 18 years of age) is in the identity versus role confusion stage of development. Trust versus mistrust reflects the infancy stage; intimacy versus isolation reflects the young adulthood stage; and industry versus inferiority reflects the school-age stage of development. A 60-year-old patient is on several new medications and expresses worry that she will forget to take her pills. Which action by the nurse would be most helpful in this situation? d. (^) Assisting the patient with obtaining and learning to use a calendar or pill container ANS: D Calendars, pill containers, or diaries may be helpful to patients who may forget to take prescribed drugs as scheduled. The nurse must ensure that the patient knows how to use these reminder tools. Teaching coping strategies is a helpful suggestion but will not help with remembering to take medications. Asking the prescriber to reduce the number of drugs that are prescribed is not an appropriate action by the nurse. Assuring the patient that she will not forget is false reassurance by the nurse and inappropriate when education is needed. MULTIPLE RESPONSE
e. (^) Health beliefs ANS: A, C, D, E Family history is not a part of what the nurse considers when assessing learning needs. The other options are appropriate to consider when the nurse is assessing learning needs. COMPLETION
MULTIPLE CHOICE A 25-year-old woman is visiting the prenatal clinic and shares with the nurse her desire to go “natural” with her pregnancy. She shows the nurse a list of herbal remedies that she wants to buy so that she can “avoid taking any drugs.” Which statement by the nurse is correct? d. (^) “It’s important to remember that herbal remedies do not have proven safety ratings for pregnant women.” ANS: D The fact that a drug is an herbal or a dietary supplement does not mean that it can be safely administered to children, infants, or pregnant or lactating women. Many herbal products have not been tested for safety during pregnancy. Simply reading the labels may not provide enough information for use during pregnancy. Last, manufacturers of herbal products are not required to guarantee the reliability of the contents. The patient is asking the nurse about current U.S. laws and regulations of herbal products. According to the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act of 1994, which statement is true? a. (^) Medicinal herbs are viewed as dietary supplements. ANS: A Current U.S. laws view herbal products as dietary supplements and do not hold them to the same efficacy standards as drugs. The other options do not correctly reflect current U.S. laws
regarding herbal supplements. The patient wants to take the herb valerian to help him rest at night. The nurse would be concerned about potential interactions if he is taking a medication from which class of drugs? c. (^) Sedatives ANS: C Valerian may cause increased central nervous system depression if used with sedatives. Digitalis, anticoagulants, and immunosuppressants do not have interactions with valerian. The patient has been taking an over-the-counter (OTC) acid-reducing drug because he has had “stomach problems” for several months. He tells the nurse that the medicine helps as long as he takes it, but once he stops it, the symptoms return. Which statement by the nurse is the best advice for this patient? d. (^) “Using this drug may relieve your symptoms, but it does not address the cause. You should be seen by your health care provider.” ANS: D The use of OTC drugs may postpone effective management of chronic disease states and may delay treatment of serious or life-threatening disorders because these drugs may relieve symptoms without necessarily addressing the cause of the disorder. The other options do not address the need to investigate the cause of the symptoms and are incorrect. During an assessment, the patient tells the nurse that he eats large amounts of garlic for its cardiovascular benefits. Which drug or drug class, if taken, would have a potential interaction with the garlic? b. (^) Insulin ANS: B The use of garlic may interfere with hypoglycemic drugs. The other options are incorrect because acetaminophen, antilipemic drugs, and sedatives do not have interactions with garlic. A patient calls the clinic to ask about taking cranberry dietary supplement capsules because a friend recommended them. The nurse will discuss which possible concern when a patient is taking cranberry supplements? c. (^) It may reduce elimination of drugs that are excreted by the kidneys. ANS: C The use of cranberry decreases the elimination of many drugs that are renally excreted. The other concerns do not occur with cranberry supplements. A patient wants to take the herb gingko to help his memory. The nurse reviews his current medication list and would be concerned about potential interactions if he is taking a medication from which class of drugs? b. (^) Anticoagulants
ANS: B The use of gingko increases the risk of bleeding with anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin) and antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel). The other concerns do not occur with gingko supplements. MULTIPLE RESPONSE The nurse is conducting a class for senior citizens about the use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Which statements are true regarding the use of OTC drugs? ( Select all that apply .) a. (^) Use of OTC drugs may delay treatment of serious ailments. c. (^) OTC drugs may relieve symptoms without addressing the cause of the problem. e. (^) Patients may misunderstand product labels and use the drugs improperly. ANS: A, C, E It is true that use of OTC drugs may delay treatment of serious ailments; OTC drugs may relieve symptoms without addressing the cause of the problem, and patients may misunderstand product labels and use the drugs improperly. These statements should be included when teaching patients about their use. In contrast, drug interactions with OTC medications are not rare and may indeed occur with prescription medications and other OTC drugs. Normally, OTC drugs are intended for short-term treatment of minor ailments. The nurse is reviewing the criteria for over-the-counter drugs. Which criteria for over- the- counter status in the United States are accurate? ( Select all that apply .) a. (^) The drug must be easy to use. c. (^) The consumer must be able to monitor the drug’s effectiveness. d. (^) The drug must have a low potential for abuse. ANS: A, C, D In the United States, criteria for over-the-counter status include the drug being easy to use, the drug having a low potential for abuse, and the consumer must be able to monitor the drug’s effectiveness for the condition. The drug must have a high therapeutic index (not a low one), and the drug must have limited interactions with other drugs.
MULTIPLE CHOICE A patient was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month, and has complained of a dull ache in the abdomen for the past 4 months. This pain has been gradually increasing, and the pain relievers taken at home are no longer effective. What type of pain is the patient experiencing? b. (^) Chronic pain
ANS: B
Chronic pain is associated with cancer and is characterized by slow onset, long duration, and dull, persistent aching. The patient’s symptoms are not characteristics of acute pain, somatic pain, or neuropathic pain. An 18-year-old basketball player fell and twisted his ankle during a game. The nurse will expect to administer which type of analgesic? d. (^) Nonopioid analgesic, such as indomethacin (Indocin) ANS: D Somatic pain, which originates from skeletal muscles, ligaments, and joints, usually responds to nonopioid analgesics such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The other options are not the best choices for somatic pain. A patient is recovering from abdominal surgery, which he had this morning. He is groggy but complaining of severe pain around his incision. What is the most important assessment data to consider before the nurse administers a dose of morphine sulfate to the patient? b. (^) His respiratory rate ANS: B One of the most serious adverse effects of opioids is respiratory depression. The nurse must assess the patient’s respiratory rate before administering an opioid. The other options are incorrect. A 78-year-old patient is in the recovery room after having a lengthy surgery on his hip. As he is gradually awakening, he requests pain medication. Within 10 minutes after receiving a dose of morphine sulfate, he is very lethargic and his respirations are shallow, with a rate of 7 per minute. The nurse prepares for which priority action at this time? c. (^) Administration of naloxone (Narcan) ANS: C Naloxone, an opioid-reversal agent, is used to reverse the effects of acute opioid overdose and is the drug of choice for reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression. This situation is describing an opioid overdose, not opioid tolerance. Intubation and artificial ventilation are not appropriate because the patient is still breathing at 7 breaths/min. It would be inappropriate to assess the patient’s level of pain. A patient will be discharged with a 1-week supply of an opioid analgesic for pain management after abdominal surgery. The nurse will include which information in the teaching plan? c. (^) How to prevent constipation ANS: C Gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation, are the most common adverse effects associated with opioid analgesics. Physical dependence usually occurs in patients undergoing long-term treatment. Diarrhea is not an effect of opioid
analgesics. Taking the dose with food may help minimize GI upset. A patient has been treated for lung cancer for 3 years. Over the past few months, the patient has noticed that the opioid analgesic is not helping as much as it had previously and more medication is needed for the same pain relief. The nurse is aware that this patient is experiencing which of these? b. (^) Opioid tolerance ANS: B Opioid tolerance is a common physiologic result of long-term opioid use. Patients with opioid tolerance require larger doses of the opioid agent to maintain the same level of analgesia. This situation does not describe toxicity (overdose), addiction, or abstinence syndrome (withdrawal). A 38-year-old man has come into the urgent care center with severe hip pain after falling from a ladder at work. He says he has taken several pain pills over the past few hours but cannot remember how many he has taken. He hands the nurse an empty bottle of acetaminophen (Tylenol). The nurse is aware that the most serious toxic effect of acute acetaminophen overdose is which condition? c. (^) Hepatic necrosis ANS: C Hepatic necrosis is the most serious acute toxic effect of an acute overdose of acetaminophen. The other options are incorrect. A 57-year-old woman being treated for end-stage breast cancer has been using a transdermal opioid analgesic as part of the management of pain. Lately, she has been experiencing breakthrough pain. The nurse expects this type of pain to be managed by which of these interventions? b. (^) Administering an immediate-release opioid ANS: B If a patient is taking long-acting opioid analgesics, breakthrough pain must be treated with an immediate-release dosage form that is given between scheduled doses of the long-acting opioid. The other options are not appropriate actions. The nurse is reviewing herbal therapies. Which is a common use of the herb feverfew? b. (^) Migraine headaches ANS: B Feverfew is commonly used for migraine headaches, menstrual problems, arthritis, and fever. Possible adverse effects include muscle stiffness and muscle and joint pain.