Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A. Maintain good oral hygiene to minimize dry mouth.
Maintain good oral hygiene to minimize dry mouth is correct; good oral hygiene practices can help alleviate dry mouth, which is a common anticholinergic effect.
B. Void before taking the medication so urinary hesitation is less problematic.
Void before taking the medication so urinary hesitation is less problematic is correct; this strategy can help manage urinary retention, another potential side effect of tricyclic antidepressants.
C. Avoid situations where bruising or lacerations are a possibility.
Avoid situations where bruising or lacerations are a possibility is incorrect; while caution is always advisable, this statement does not directly relate to anticholinergic effects.
D. Eat several small meals daily rather than three larger meals.
Eat several small meals daily rather than three larger meals is correct; smaller meals can help mitigate gastrointestinal side effects and maintain steady blood sugar levels.
E. Use caution in situations where it may be possible to become overheated.
Use caution in situations where it may be possible to become overheated is correct; anticholinergic medications can impair thermoregulation, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Med Surg Exam Antelope Valley College Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A. Maintain good oral hygiene to minimize dry mouth is correct; good oral hygiene practices can help alleviate dry mouth, which is a common anticholinergic effect.
B. Void before taking the medication so urinary hesitation is less problematic is correct; this strategy can help manage urinary retention, another potential side effect of tricyclic antidepressants.
C. Avoid situations where bruising or lacerations are a possibility is incorrect; while caution is always advisable, this statement does not directly relate to anticholinergic effects.
D. Eat several small meals daily rather than three larger meals is correct; smaller meals can help mitigate gastrointestinal side effects and maintain steady blood sugar levels.
E. Use caution in situations where it may be possible to become overheated is correct; anticholinergic medications can impair thermoregulation, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Similar Questions
A nurse is preparing to administer short-acting insulin to a patient with type 1 diabetes. Which of the following should the nurse keep in mind regarding this insulin type?
A. It has a peak effect of 4-6 hours.
It has a peak effect of 4-6 hours is incorrect; short-acting insulin typically peaks between 2 to 3 hours after administration.
B. It should be given once daily in the evening.
It should be given once daily in the evening is incorrect; short-acting insulin is usually administered before meals, not as a once-daily dose.
C. It starts to take effect within 30 minutes to 1 hour after administration.
It starts to take effect within 30 minutes to 1 hour after administration is correct; this timing is critical for managing blood glucose levels during meals.
D. It has a duration of action of 24 hours.
It has a duration of action of 24 hours is incorrect; short-acting insulin usually has a duration of about 3 to 6 hours.
Full Explanation
A. It has a peak effect of 4-6 hours is incorrect; short-acting insulin typically peaks between 2 to 3 hours after administration.
B. It should be given once daily in the evening is incorrect; short-acting insulin is usually administered before meals, not as a once-daily dose.
C. It starts to take effect within 30 minutes to 1 hour after administration is correct; this timing is critical for managing blood glucose levels during meals.
D. It has a duration of action of 24 hours is incorrect; short-acting insulin usually has a duration of about 3 to 6 hours.
A nurse is educating a patient about the use of famotidine. Which statement by the patient indicates the need for further teaching?
A. "I will take this medication at bedtime to help with my symptoms."
"I will take this medication at bedtime to help with my symptoms." is correct; famotidine is often taken at bedtime to reduce nocturnal gastric acid secretion and help manage symptoms.
B. "I can take this medication with antacids for faster relief."
"I can take this medication with antacids for faster relief." is incorrect; antacids can interfere with the absorption of famotidine, and patients should be advised to separate the doses by at least an hour.
C. "I should avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
"I should avoid alcohol while taking this medication." is correct; alcohol can increase the risk of gastrointestinal irritation and should generally be avoided.
D. "I will monitor for signs of unusual bleeding or bruising."
"I will monitor for signs of unusual bleeding or bruising." is correct; while famotidine is not typically associated with bleeding risks, monitoring for signs of unusual bleeding is a good practice when taking any medication, particularly in patients with risk factors.
Full Explanation
A. "I will take this medication at bedtime to help with my symptoms." is correct; famotidine is often taken at bedtime to reduce nocturnal gastric acid secretion and help manage symptoms.
B. "I can take this medication with antacids for faster relief." is incorrect; antacids can interfere with the absorption of famotidine, and patients should be advised to separate the doses by at least an hour.
C. "I should avoid alcohol while taking this medication." is correct; alcohol can increase the risk of gastrointestinal irritation and should generally be avoided.
D. "I will monitor for signs of unusual bleeding or bruising." is correct; while famotidine is not typically associated with bleeding risks, monitoring for signs of unusual bleeding is a good practice when taking any medication, particularly in patients with risk factors.
A client's current drug regimen includes a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) and a loop diuretic. What assessment should the nurse consequently prioritize?
A. heart rate
heart rate is not the primary concern when assessing the interaction between NSAIDs and loop diuretics.
B. blood pressure
blood pressure is correct; the combination of an NSAID and a loop diuretic can lead to fluid retention, potentially elevating blood pressure. Monitoring blood pressure is crucial in this context.
C. cognition
cognition is not directly impacted by the combination of these medications.
D. assessment for signs of bleeding
assessment for signs of bleeding is important when taking NSAIDs due to their effect on platelet function, but the more immediate concern is the potential fluid retention affecting blood pressure.
Full Explanation
A. heart rate is not the primary concern when assessing the interaction between NSAIDs and loop diuretics.
B. blood pressure is correct; the combination of an NSAID and a loop diuretic can lead to fluid retention, potentially elevating blood pressure. Monitoring blood pressure is crucial in this context.
C. cognition is not directly impacted by the combination of these medications.
D. assessment for signs of bleeding is important when taking NSAIDs due to their effect on platelet function, but the more immediate concern is the potential fluid retention affecting blood pressure.