Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is performing a preoperative drug history on a client who is admitted to the hospital for surgery. To evaluate the risk of hemorrhage, the nurse will ask the client about antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications as well as which dietary supplement?
A. St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort is not typically associated with an increased risk of bleeding.
B. Coenzyme Q-10
Coenzyme Q-10 is not known to have significant anticoagulant or antiplatelet effects.
C. Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a dietary supplement that may increase the risk of bleeding, and its use should be assessed preoperatively.
D. Ma Huang
Ma Huang (ephedra) is associated with cardiovascular stimulation rather than anticoagulant effects.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Ramsussen Section 4 Module 11. Pharmocology For Professional Nursing Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A) St. John's Wort is not typically associated with an increased risk of bleeding.
B) Coenzyme Q-10 is not known to have significant anticoagulant or antiplatelet effects.
C) Ginkgo biloba is a dietary supplement that may increase the risk of bleeding, and its use should be assessed preoperatively.
D) Ma Huang (ephedra) is associated with cardiovascular stimulation rather than anticoagulant effects.
Similar Questions
A client taking warfarin presents with bruises, dark tarry stools, and an international normalized ratio (INR) of 4.3. What is the nurse's action?
A. Explain to the client the nurse may ask the provider to order a test for leukemia.
The symptoms described (bruises, dark tarry stools, elevated INR) are indicative of warfarin overdose or excessive anticoagulation, not leukemia.
B. Hold the warfarin and consult the provider regarding the next steps.
This is the correct answer because holding the warfarin is necessary to prevent further bleeding complications, and consulting the provider is essential for guidance on the next steps.
C. Give an ampule of Vitamin K, then call the physician to report client status.
Giving Vitamin K may be necessary in cases of severe bleeding due to warfarin, but it is not the initial action. Consulting the provider is the priority.
D. Give the warfarin with a dark green salad and check the next stool for blood.
Giving warfarin with a dark green salad may exacerbate the situation and increase the risk of bleeding. Checking the next stool for blood does not address the immediate issue of anticoagulation excess.
Full Explanation
a. The symptoms described (bruises, dark tarry stools, elevated INR) are indicative of warfarin overdose or excessive anticoagulation, not leukemia.
b. This is the correct answer because holding the warfarin is necessary to prevent further bleeding complications, and consulting the provider is essential for guidance on the next steps.
c. Giving Vitamin K may be necessary in cases of severe bleeding due to warfarin, but it is not the initial action. Consulting the provider is the priority.
d. Giving warfarin with a dark green salad may exacerbate the situation and increase the risk of bleeding. Checking the next stool for blood does not address the immediate issue of anticoagulation excess.
The nurse is caring for a client who has an order for no food or drink by mouth and is receiving intravenous acyclovir. To prevent nephrotoxicity, what is the nurse's action?
A. Encourage oral fluid intake during the infusion and for 2 hours after the infusion.
This is the correct answer because maintaining adequate hydration helps prevent nephrotoxicity associated with acyclovir. Encouraging fluid intake during and after the infusion helps flush the drug through the kidneys.
B. Monitor urinary output every 30 minutes.
While monitoring urinary output is important, it alone may not be sufficient to prevent nephrotoxicity.
C. Provide a low-protein diet for one day before and two days after the acyclovir infusion.
Providing a low-protein diet is not a standard intervention for preventing acyclovir-induced nephrotoxicity.
D. Administer intravenous normal saline boluses, as ordered.
Administering intravenous normal saline boluses, as ordered, can be helpful in maintaining hydration and preventing nephrotoxicity. However, encouraging oral fluid intake is a more direct and immediate measure during acyclovir infusion.
Full Explanation
a. This is the correct answer because maintaining adequate hydration helps prevent nephrotoxicity associated with acyclovir. Encouraging fluid intake during and after the infusion helps flush the drug through the kidneys.
b. While monitoring urinary output is important, it alone may not be sufficient to prevent nephrotoxicity.
c. Providing a low-protein diet is not a standard intervention for preventing acyclovir-induced nephrotoxicity.
d. Administering intravenous normal saline boluses, as ordered, can help maintain hydration and prevent nephrotoxicity. However, encouraging oral fluid intake is a more direct and immediate measure during acyclovir infusion.
A client who is pregnant has a history of recurrent genital herpes virus. The client asks the nurse what will be done to suppress an outbreak when she is near term. What is the nurse's response?
A. "Oral acyclovir may be used during pregnancy."
This is the correct answer. Oral acyclovir is considered safe during pregnancy and may be used to suppress outbreaks of genital herpes in pregnant women.
B. "Intravenous antiviral agents will be used if an outbreak occurs."
Using intravenous antiviral agents is typically reserved for severe cases and is not the first-line approach for suppressing outbreaks in pregnant women.
C. "Topical acyclovir must be used to control outbreaks."
While topical acyclovir can be used for genital herpes outbreaks, it is not typically the first choice for suppression during pregnancy.
D. "Antiviral medications are not safe during pregnancy."
This statement is not accurate. Some antiviral medications, including oral acyclovir, are considered safe during pregnancy when the benefits outweigh the risks, especially in cases where there is a history of recurrent genital herpes.
Full Explanation
a. This is the correct answer. Oral acyclovir is considered safe during pregnancy and may be used to suppress outbreaks of genital herpes in pregnant women.
b. Using intravenous antiviral agents is typically reserved for severe cases and is not the first-line approach for suppressing outbreaks in pregnant women.
c. While topical acyclovir can be used for genital herpes outbreaks, it is not typically the first choice for suppression during pregnancy.
d. This statement is not accurate. Some antiviral medications, including oral acyclovir, are considered safe during pregnancy when the benefits outweigh the risks, especially in cases where there is a history of recurrent genital herpes.