Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A client is receiving trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
What information should the nurse include in the teaching about this medication?
A. Increase fluid intake to 3 to 4 liters per 24 hours.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is an antibiotic used to treat or prevent bacterial infections. One of the key instructions for patients taking this medication is to increase fluid intake to 3 to 4 liters per 24 hours. This is because the medication can crystallize in the urine, which can lead to kidney stones or damage if the patient is not adequately hydrated.
B. Spend some time in the sun to improve drug metabolism.
Spending time in the sun does not improve the metabolism of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. In fact, the medication can make the skin more sensitive to the sun, increasing the risk of sunburn.
C. Take Kaopectate daily to prevent diarrhea.
Taking Kaopectate daily to prevent diarrhea is not a standard instruction for patients taking trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Diarrhea can be a side effect of the medication, but it should be managed under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
D. Take the drug every morning at the same time as hydrochlorothiazide.
There is no specific instruction to take trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole every morning at the same time as hydrochlorothiazide. The timing of medication administration should be determined by the healthcare provider based on the patient’s overall treatment plan.
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Full Explanation
Choice A rationale
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is an antibiotic used to treat or prevent bacterial infections. One of the key instructions for patients taking this medication is to increase fluid intake to 3 to
4 liters per 24 hours. This is because the medication can crystallize in the urine, which can lead to kidney stones or damage if the patient is not adequately hydrated.
Choice B rationale
Spending time in the sun does not improve the metabolism of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. In fact, the medication can make the skin more sensitive to the sun, increasing the risk of sunburn.
Choice C rationale
Taking Kaopectate daily to prevent diarrhea is not a standard instruction for patients taking trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Diarrhea can be a side effect of the medication, but it should be managed under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Choice D rationale
There is no specific instruction to take trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole every morning at the same time as hydrochlorothiazide. The timing of medication administration should be determined by the healthcare provider based on the patient’s overall treatment plan.
Similar Questions
A newly diagnosed diabetic client is 24 hours post-op following abdominal surgery.
The 0700 blood glucose level is 200 mg/dl and the nurse administers 4 units of insulin aspart subcutaneously per the prescribed sliding scale.
When should the nurse first assess the client for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia?
A. 0800
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can occur after insulin administration. However, the onset of hypoglycemia is not immediate. Insulin aspart, a rapid-acting insulin, has a peak action time of approximately 1-3 hours after administration. Therefore, assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia at 0800, one hour after administration, may be too early.
B. 0730
Assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia at 0730, 30 minutes after insulin administration, is too early. The peak action time of insulin aspart is approximately 1-3 hours after administration. Therefore, the nurse should start assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia closer to the time of peak action.
C. 1130
Assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia at 1130, four and a half hours after insulin administration, may be too late. The peak action time of insulin aspart is approximately 1-3 hours after administration. Therefore, the nurse should start assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia closer to the time of peak action.
D. 1000
Assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia at 1000, three hours after insulin administration, is within the peak action time of insulin aspart. Therefore, this is the most appropriate time to start assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can occur after insulin administration. However, the onset of hypoglycemia is not immediate. Insulin aspart, a rapid-acting insulin, has a peak action time of approximately 1-3 hours after administration. Therefore, assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia at 0800, one hour after administration, may be too early.
Choice B rationale
Assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia at 0730, 30 minutes after insulin administration, is too early. The peak action time of insulin aspart is approximately 1-3 hours after administration. Therefore, the nurse should start assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia closer to the time of peak action.
Choice C rationale
Assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia at 1130, four and a half hours after insulin administration, may be too late. The peak action time of insulin aspart is approximately 1-3 hours after administration. Therefore, the nurse should start assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia closer to the time of peak action.
Choice D rationale
Assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia at 1000, three hours after insulin administration, is within the peak action time of insulin aspart. Therefore, this is the most appropriate time to start assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Which clinical manifestation should the nurse anticipate as an expected finding for a client diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Widespread edema of the affected extremity.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition characterized by the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. One of the most common symptoms of DVT is swelling of the affected extremity. This occurs because the blood clot obstructs the flow of blood, causing fluid to build up in the tissues.
B. Small area of redness of the affected extremity.
While redness can be a symptom of DVT, it is not typically confined to a small area. Instead, redness associated with DVT is usually more widespread and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling and pain.
C. Cool, mottled affected extremity.
A cool, mottled extremity is not a typical symptom of DVT34. DVT usually causes the affected area to feel warmer than the surrounding areas due to inflammation caused by the blood clot.
D. Positive bilateral peripheral pulses.
The presence of bilateral peripheral pulses is not a specific finding for DVT34. In fact, the presence of strong peripheral pulses may suggest that blood flow is not significantly obstructed.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition characterized by the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. One of the most common symptoms of DVT is swelling of the affected extremity. This occurs because the blood clot obstructs the flow of blood, causing fluid to build up in the tissues.
Choice B rationale
While redness can be a symptom of DVT, it is not typically confined to a small area. Instead, redness associated with DVT is usually more widespread and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling and pain.
Choice C rationale
A cool, mottled extremity is not a typical symptom of DVT34. DVT usually causes the affected area to feel warmer than the surrounding areas due to inflammation caused by the blood clot.
Choice D rationale
The presence of bilateral peripheral pulses is not a specific finding for DVT34. In fact, the presence of strong peripheral pulses may suggest that blood flow is not significantly obstructed.
A nurse is educating a patient with diabetes mellitus about the chronic complications associated with the disease. What information should be included in the teaching?
A. Schedule and keep appointments for annual eye exams.
Diabetes mellitus can lead to several chronic complications, including retinopathy, which can cause blindness. Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, scheduling and keeping appointments for annual eye exams is an important part of managing diabetes.
B. Ensure adequate fluid intake to prevent kidney damage.
While adequate fluid intake is generally important for overall health, it is not specifically effective in preventing kidney damage in patients with diabetes mellitus. Kidney damage in diabetes, also known as diabetic nephropathy, is caused by high blood sugar levels over time, not by dehydration.
C. Cardiac enzymes will be checked every 6 months.
Regular checks of cardiac enzymes are not a standard part of diabetes management. Cardiac enzymes are typically checked in the context of suspected heart disease or a heart attack, not as a routine measure in diabetes care.
D. Podiatry exams are necessary every 3 months.
While regular foot care is important in diabetes to prevent complications such as foot ulcers and infections, podiatry exams every 3 months are not typically necessary unless the patient has a history of foot problems or a high risk of foot complications.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale
Diabetes mellitus can lead to several chronic complications, including retinopathy, which can cause blindness. Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, scheduling and keeping appointments for annual eye exams is an important part of managing diabetes.
Choice B rationale
While adequate fluid intake is generally important for overall health, it is not specifically effective in preventing kidney damage in patients with diabetes mellitus. Kidney damage in diabetes, also known as diabetic nephropathy, is caused by high blood sugar levels over time, not by dehydration.
Choice C rationale
Regular checks of cardiac enzymes are not a standard part of diabetes management. Cardiac enzymes are typically checked in the context of suspected heart disease or a heart attack, not as a routine measure in diabetes care.
Choice D rationale
While regular foot care is important in diabetes to prevent complications such as foot ulcers and infections, podiatry exams every 3 months are not typically necessary unless the patient has a history of foot problems or a high risk of foot complications.