Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who is 12 hr postpartum and has a third-degree perineal laceration. The client reports not having a bowel movement for 4 days. Which of the following medications should the nurse administer?
A. Bisacodyl 10 mg rectal suppository
This is a stimulant laxative that works by increasing the movement of the intestines, helping the stool to come out. However, given the client's third-degree perineal laceration, a rectal suppository might cause discomfort and potentially disrupt the healing process.
B. Loperamide 4 mg PO
Incorrect. Loperamide is an antidiarrheal medication and is not appropriate for constipation relief.
C. Magnesium hydroxide 30 mL PO
This is an osmotic laxative that works by drawing water into the intestines, which helps to soften the stool and stimulate bowel movements. It is taken orally and would not interfere with the healing of the perineal laceration.
D. Famotidine 20 mg PO
Incorrect. Famotidine is an H2 blocker used to reduce stomach acid and is not indicated for constipation relief.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A. This is a stimulant laxative that works by increasing the movement of the intestines, helping the stool to come out. However, given the client's third-degree perineal laceration, a rectal suppository might cause discomfort and potentially disrupt the healing process.
B. Incorrect. Loperamide is an antidiarrheal medication and is not appropriate for constipation relief.
C. This is an osmotic laxative that works by drawing water into the intestines, which helps to soften the stool and stimulate bowel movements. It is taken orally and would not interfere with the healing of the perineal laceration.
D. Incorrect. Famotidine is an H2 blocker used to reduce stomach acid and is not indicated for constipation relief.
Similar Questions
A nurse is providing teaching to a client about the adverse effects of sertraline. Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse include?
A. Metallic taste in the mouth
Incorrect. A metallic taste in the mouth is not a common adverse effect of sertraline.
B. Excessive sweating
Correct. Excessive sweating (diaphoresis) is a potential adverse effect of sertraline and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
C. Increased urinary frequency
Incorrect. Increased urinary frequency is not commonly associated with sertraline.
D. Dry cough
Incorrect. A dry cough is not a known adverse effect of sertraline.
Full Explanation
A. Incorrect. A metallic taste in the mouth is not a common adverse effect of sertraline.
B. Correct. Excessive sweating (diaphoresis) is a potential adverse effect of sertraline and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
C. Incorrect. Increased urinary frequency is not commonly associated with sertraline.
D. Incorrect. A dry cough is not a known adverse effect of sertraline.
A nurse in a long-term care facility is providing care for a client who has been receiving donepezil. Which of the following findings indicates that the medication is effective?
A. Improved short-term memory
Correct. Donepezil is a medication used to treat Alzheimer's disease and is expected to improve cognitive function, including short-term memory.
B. Increased food intake
Incorrect. Donepezil is not typically associated with changes in food intake.
C. Can perform ADLs independently
Incorrect. While improved functional ability is a goal of treatment, performing ADLs independently might not be solely indicative of donepezil's effectiveness.
D. Enhanced mood
Incorrect. Donepezil is primarily focused on improving cognitive function rather than mood enhancement.
Full Explanation
A. Correct. Donepezil is a medication used to treat Alzheimer's disease and is expected to improve cognitive function, including short-term memory.
B. Incorrect. Donepezil is not typically associated with changes in food intake.
C. Incorrect. While improved functional ability is a goal of treatment, performing ADLs independently might not be solely indicative of donepezil's effectiveness.
D. Incorrect. Donepezil is primarily focused on improving cognitive function rather than mood enhancement.
A nurse is planning to teach a client about taking prednisone. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Take on an empty stomach.
Prednisone should generally be taken with food or after a meal to reduce the risk of gastric irritation or ulcer formation. Taking it on an empty stomach can irritate the stomach lining and increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects, such as gastritis or peptic ulcers.
B. Schedule dosage at bedtime.
While some medications are best taken at bedtime (such as those with sedative effects), prednisone is a corticosteroid that can affect the body's circadian rhythm and may interfere with sleep. It typically causes insomnia or restlessness, so it’s usually advised to take it in the morning.
C. Increase dietary calcium.
Prednisone and other corticosteroids can lead to bone loss (osteoporosis) over time, especially with long-term use. One of the side effects of corticosteroid therapy is decreased calcium absorption and bone density loss, making individuals at higher risk for fractures.
D. Monitor for weight loss.
Prednisone more commonly causes weight gain rather than weight loss. Corticosteroids increase appetite and can lead to fluid retention, both of which can result in weight gain. Additionally, prednisone can cause redistribution of fat, often leading to characteristic side effects like "moon face" or increased abdominal fat.
Full Explanation
A. Prednisone should generally be taken with food or after a meal to reduce the risk of gastric irritation or ulcer formation. Taking it on an empty stomach can irritate the stomach lining and increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects, such as gastritis or peptic ulcers.
B. While some medications are best taken at bedtime (such as those with sedative effects), prednisone is a corticosteroid that can affect the body's circadian rhythm and may interfere with sleep. It typically causes insomnia or restlessness, so it’s usually advised to take it in the morning.
C. Prednisone and other corticosteroids can lead to bone loss (osteoporosis) over time, especially with long-term use. One of the side effects of corticosteroid therapy is decreased calcium absorption and bone density loss, making individuals at higher risk for fractures.
D. Prednisone more commonly causes weight gain rather than weight loss. Corticosteroids increase appetite and can lead to fluid retention, both of which can result in weight gain. Additionally, prednisone can cause redistribution of fat, often leading to characteristic side effects like "moon face" or increased abdominal fat.
B. Incorrect. Prednisone is often prescribed as a single daily dose in the morning to coincide with the body's natural cortisol release.
C. Incorrect. While calcium supplementation might be necessary for some individuals on long-term prednisone therapy, it is not a primary instruction related to taking prednisone.
D. Correct. Monitoring for weight loss is important due to the potential for weight changes (both weight gain and weight loss) as a result of prednisone's effects on metabolism and appetite.