Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who has osteoporosis and is taking calcium carbonate. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?
A. Urinary retention
Urinary retention is not a common adverse effect of calcium carbonate.
B. Tinnitus
Tinnitus is not a common adverse effect of calcium carbonate.
C. Flank pain
The nurse should monitor the client for flank pain as an adverse effect of taking calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is a calcium supplement used to prevent or treat a calcium deficiency¹. One of the side effects of calcium carbonate is the formation of kidney stones, which can cause flank pain.
D. Bradycardia
Bradycardia is not a common adverse effect of calcium carbonate.
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Full Explanation
The nurse should monitor the client for flank pain as an adverse effect of taking calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is a calcium supplement used to prevent or treat a calcium deficiency¹. One of the side effects of calcium carbonate is the formation of kidney stones, which can cause flank pain².
a. Urinary retention is not a common adverse effect of calcium carbonate.
b. Tinnitus is not a common adverse effect of calcium carbonate.
d. Bradycardia is not a common adverse effect of calcium carbonate.
Similar Questions
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a knee injury. When describing range-of-motion exercises, the nurse should explain that the knee is which of the following types of joints?
A. Pivot
The knee is not a pivot joint.
B. Hinge
The knee is a hinge type of joint. When describing range-of-motion exercises, the nurse should explain that the knee is a hinge joint. A hinge joint is a type of synovial joint that mainly allows for flexion and extension (and a small degree of medial and lateral rotation)¹. The knee joint is formed by articulations between the patella, femur, and tibia.
C. Ball and socket
The knee is not a ball and socket joint.
D. Gliding
The knee is not a gliding joint.
Full Explanation
The knee is a hinge type of joint. When describing range-of-motion exercises, the nurse should explain that the knee is a hinge joint. A hinge joint is a type of synovial joint that mainly allows for flexion and extension (and a small degree of medial and lateral rotation)¹. The knee joint is formed by articulations between the patella, femur, and tibia.
a. The knee is not a pivot joint.
c. The knee is not a ball and socket joint.
d. The knee is not a gliding joint.
A nurse in a clinic is collecting data from an older adult client who has a new diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate the provider will initially prescribe to the client?
A. Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is not typically the first medication prescribed for osteoarthritis.
B. Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen may be prescribed for osteoarthritis but is not typically the first medication prescribed.
C. Acetaminophen
The nurse should anticipate that the provider will initially prescribe acetaminophen to the client who has a new diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) has been shown to help some people with osteoarthritis who have mild to moderate pain. It is often used as a first-line treatment for osteoarthritis pain.
D. Celecoxib
Celecoxib may be prescribed for osteoarthritis but is not typically the first medication prescribed.
Full Explanation
The nurse should anticipate that the provider will initially prescribe acetaminophen to the client who has a new diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) has been shown to help some people with osteoarthritis who have mild to moderate pain². It is often used as a first-line treatment for osteoarthritis pain.
a. Hyaluronic acid is not typically the first medication prescribed for osteoarthritis.
b. Ibuprofen may be prescribed for osteoarthritis but is not typically the first medication prescribed.
d. Celecoxib may be prescribed for osteoarthritis but is not typically the first medication prescribed.

A nurse is collecting data from a client following the application of a leg cast for the treatment of a fracture. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect to find first if the cast is too tight?
A. Toes cool to touch
When a cast is too tight, it can compromise blood circulation to the extremity. This results in decreased blood flow and reduced oxygenation, causing the toes to feel cool to the touch.
B. Inability to move toes
Inability to move toes is a significant concern that can also indicate nerve compression due to a tight cast. However, it may not be the first sign of a tight cast, as impaired blood circulation will likely be evident before nerve damage.
C. Pallor of the toes
Pallor of the toes, or a pale appearance, can occur when there is restricted blood flow. However, the coolness of the toes is often noticeable before pallor develops.
D. Edema of the toes
Edema of the toes, or swelling, can occur due to a tight cast, but it is usually a later sign. Initially, the toes may feel cool to the touch, followed by other symptoms such as pallor, pain, and eventually, swelling.
Full Explanation
The correct answer is choice A: Toes cool to touch.
Choice A rationale: When a cast is too tight, it can compromise blood circulation to the extremity. This results in decreased blood flow and reduced oxygenation, causing the toes to feel cool to the touch.
Choice B rationale: Inability to move toes is a significant concern that can also indicate nerve compression due to a tight cast. However, it may not be the first sign of a tight cast, as impaired blood circulation will likely be evident before nerve damage.
Choice C rationale: Pallor of the toes, or a pale appearance, can occur when there is restricted blood flow. However, the coolness of the toes is often noticeable before pallor develops.
Choice D rationale: Edema of the toes, or swelling, can occur due to a tight cast, but it is usually a later sign. Initially, the toes may feel cool to the touch, followed by other symptoms such as pallor, pain, and eventually, swelling.