Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of benign prostate hypertrophy and a prescription for doxazosin. The client tells the nurse, “I do not want to take this medication.
I would prefer a natural therapy.” Which of the following supplements should the nurse suggest the client discuss with the provider?
A. Black cohosh.
Choice B is wrong because black cohosh is a plant that contains phytoestrogens, which are compounds that mimic estrogen in the body.Black cohosh is mainly used for menopausal symptoms in women, such as hot flashes and mood swings. It has no effect on BPH and may even worsen it by altering the hormonal balance.
B. Garlic.
Choice A is wrong because garlic has no proven effect on BPH. Garlic may have some benefits for cardiovascular health and immune system, but it does not affect prostate size or function.
C. Feverfew.
Choice C is wrong because feverfew is a herb that has anti-inflammatory and anti-migraine properties. It may help prevent or treat headaches, arthritis, and allergies, but it has no effect on BPH or urinary symptoms.
D. Saw palmetto.
Saw palmetto is a natural herbal supplement that may help reduce the symptoms of benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) by inhibiting the enzyme 5- alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that stimulates prostate growth. Some studies have shown that saw palmetto can improve urinary flow and reduce nocturia in men with BPH.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI RN Pharmacology 2019 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Saw palmetto is a natural herbal supplement that may help reduce the symptoms of benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) by inhibiting the enzyme 5- alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that stimulates prostate growth. Some studies have shown that saw palmetto can improve urinary flow and reduce nocturia in men with BPH.
Choice A is wrong because black cohosh is a plant that contains phytoestrogens, which are compounds that mimic estrogen in the body.Black cohosh is mainly used for menopausal symptoms in women, such as hot flashes and mood swings.
Choice B is wrong because garlic has no proven effect on BPH. Garlic may have some benefits for cardiovascular health and immune system, but it does not affect prostate size or function. It has no effect on BPH and may even worsen it by altering the hormonal balance.
Choice C is wrong because feverfew is a herb that has anti-inflammatory and anti-migraine properties.
It may help prevent or treat headaches, arthritis, and allergies, but it has no effect on BPH or urinary symptoms.
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a new prescription for lisinopril.
For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor when administering lisinopril?
A. Tinnitus.
Choice A is wrong because tinnitus, which means ringing or buzzing in the ears, is not a common or serious side effect of lisinopril. Tinnitus can be caused by other factors such as ear infections, loud noises, or medications such as aspirin or antibiotics.
B. Hypotension.
Lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It works by relaxing the blood vessels and increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. However, one of the common side effects of lisinopril is hypotension, which means low blood pressure. Hypotension can cause dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the client’s blood pressure when administering lisinopril and report any signs of hypotension to the doctor.
C. Hypokalemia.
Choice C is wrong because hypokalemia, which means low potassium levels in the blood, is not a common or serious side effect of lisinopril. In fact, lisinopril can cause hyperkalemia, which means high potassium levels in the blood, especially in patients with kidney problems or diabetes. Hyperkalemia can cause irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness, or numbness. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the client’s potassium levels when administering lisinopril and avoid giving potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium.
D. Bradycardia.
Choice D is wrong because bradycardia, which means slow heart rate, is not a common or serious side effect of lisinopril. Lisinopril does not affect the heart rate directly, but it can lower the blood pressure and improve the heart function. Bradycardia can be caused by other factors such as heart block, sinus node dysfunction, or medications such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers.
Full Explanation
Lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It works by relaxing the blood vessels and increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. However, one of the common side effects of lisinopril is hypotension, which means low blood pressure. Hypotension can cause dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the client’s blood pressure when administering lisinopril and report any signs of hypotension to the doctor.
Choice A is wrong because tinnitus, which means ringing or buzzing in the ears, is not a common or serious side effect of lisinopril.
Tinnitus can be caused by other factors such as ear infections, loud noises, or medications such as aspirin or antibiotics.
Choice C is wrong because hypokalemia, which means low potassium levels in the blood, is not a common or serious side effect of lisinopril. In fact, lisinopril can cause hyperkalemia, which means high potassium levels in the blood, especially in patients with kidney problems or diabetes. Hyperkalemia can cause irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness, or numbness. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the client’s potassium levels when administering lisinopril and avoid giving potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium.
Choice D is wrong because bradycardia, which means slow heart rate, is not a common or serious side effect of lisinopril.
Lisinopril does not affect the heart rate directly, but it can lower the blood pressure and improve the heart function.
Bradycardia can be caused by other factors such as heart block, sinus node dysfunction, or medications such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for amoxicillin. Which of the following findings indicates the client is experiencing an allergic reaction?
A. Laryngeal edema.
Laryngeal edema is a sign of a severe allergic reaction to amoxicillin that can cause difficulty breathing and may be life threatening. The nurse should stop the medication and call for emergency assistance.
B. Nausea.
Choice B is wrong because nausea is a common side effect of amoxicillin, not an allergic reaction.
C. Insomnia.
Choice C is wrong because insomnia is not related to amoxicillin use.
D. Cardiac dysrhythmia.
Choice D is wrong because cardiac dysrhythmia is not a typical symptom of an allergic reaction to amoxicillin. It may be caused by other factors, such as underlying heart disease or electrolyte imbalance.
Full Explanation
Laryngeal edema is a sign of a severe allergic reaction to amoxicillin that can cause difficulty breathing and may be life threatening.
The nurse should stop the medication and call for emergency assistance. Choice B is wrong because nausea is a common side effect of amoxicillin, not an allergic reaction.
Choice C is wrong because insomnia is not related to amoxicillin use. Choice D is wrong because cardiac dysrhythmia is not a typical symptom of an allergic reaction to amoxicillin.
It may be caused by other factors, such as underlying heart disease or electrolyte imbalance.
A nurse is preparing to administer enoxaparin to a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Expel the air bubble from the syringe prior to injection.
The air bubble should not be expelled from the syringe before administering enoxaparin. The air bubble is included to ensure that the entire dose is administered and to help prevent leakage of the medication into the subcutaneous tissue, which can reduce bruising.
B. Apply firm pressure to the injection site following administration.
After administering enoxaparin, applying firm pressure (but not massaging) to the injection site helps minimize bruising and bleeding. It's important not to massage the site as this can increase the risk of bleeding.
C. Insert the syringe needle halfway into the client’s skin.
The needle should be inserted fully into the subcutaneous tissue at a 90-degree angle (or at a 45-degree angle if the client has little subcutaneous tissue). Inserting the needle halfway may result in improper administration.
D. Administer the medication into the client’s muscles.
Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin that should be administered subcutaneously, not intramuscularly. Administering it intramuscularly could increase the risk of bleeding and is not the appropriate route for this medication.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The air bubble should not be expelled from the syringe before administering enoxaparin. The air bubble is included to ensure that the entire dose is administered and to help prevent leakage of the medication into the subcutaneous tissue, which can reduce bruising.
Choice B rationale:
After administering enoxaparin, applying firm pressure (but not massaging) to the injection site helps minimize bruising and bleeding. It's important not to massage the site as this can increase the risk of bleeding.
Choice C rationale:
The needle should be inserted fully into the subcutaneous tissue at a 90-degree angle (or at a 45-degree angle if the client has little subcutaneous tissue). Inserting the needle halfway may result in improper administration.
Choice D rationale:
Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin that should be administered subcutaneously, not intramuscularly. Administering it intramuscularly could increase the risk of bleeding and is not the appropriate route for this medication.