Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is preparing to administer potassium chloride to a client who has a potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?.
A. Inform the provider of the client's potassium level.
A rationale: The client’s potassium level is high (normal range is 3.6 to 5.2 mEq/L123), so the nurse should inform the provider before administering more potassium.
B. Hold the medication until the client has his evening meal.
B rationale: Holding the medication until the client has his evening meal is not appropriate because the client’s potassium level is already high.
C. Give the medication as prescribed.
C rationale: Giving the medication as prescribed is not appropriate because the client’s potassium level is already high.
D. Obtain a prescription to increase the dosage of the medication.
D rationale: Obtaining a prescription to increase the dosage of the medication is not appropriate because the client’s potassium level is already high.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI PN Custom Cohert 6 Pharmacology Quiz 2 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The client’s potassium level is high (normal range is 3.6 to 5.2 mEq/L123), so the nurse should inform the provider before administering more potassium.
Choice B rationale:
Holding the medication until the client has his evening meal is not appropriate because the client’s potassium level is already high.
Choice C rationale:
Giving the medication as prescribed is not appropriate because the client’s potassium level is already high.
Choice D rationale:
Obtaining a prescription to increase the dosage of the medication is not appropriate because the client’s potassium level is already high.
Similar Questions
A nurse is preparing to administer eardrops to a 2-year-old child.
The nurse should pull the auricle in which of the following directions when instilling the medication?.
A. Upward and outward.
A rationale: Pulling the auricle upward and outward is the correct method for adults and children over 3 years old.
B. Down and outward.
B rationale: Pulling the auricle down and outward is not the correct method for any age group.
C. Down and backward.
C rationale: Pulling the auricle down and backward is the correct method for children under 3 years old.
D. Upward and backward.
D rationale: Pulling the auricle upward and backward is not the correct method for children under 3 years old.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Pulling the auricle upward and outward is the correct method for adults and children over 3 years old.
Choice B rationale:
Pulling the auricle down and outward is not the correct method for any age group.
Choice C rationale:
Pulling the auricle down and backward is the correct method for children under 3 years old.
Choice D rationale:
Pulling the auricle upward and backward is not the correct method for children under 3 years old.
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has hypertension and a prescription for propranolol.
A history of which of the following conditions should be reported to the provider?
A. Migraine
A rationale: Migraine is not a contraindication for propranolol. In fact, propranolol is often used to reduce the severity and frequency of migraine headaches.
B. Depression.
B rationale: Depression is not a contraindication for propranolol.
C. Glaucoma.
C rationale: Glaucoma is not a contraindication for propranolol.
D. Heart failure.
D rationale: Heart failure is a contraindication for propranolol. Propranolol is a non-selective beta blocker that can exacerbate heart failure.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Migraine is not a contraindication for propranolol. In fact, propranolol is often used to reduce the severity and frequency of migraine headaches.
Choice B rationale:
Depression is not a contraindication for propranolol.
Choice C rationale:
Glaucoma is not a contraindication for propranolol.
Choice D rationale:
Heart failure is a contraindication for propranolol. Propranolol is a non-selective beta blocker that can exacerbate heart failure.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has hypertension and is taking propranolol.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?.
A. "I should expect to develop a slight cough while taking this medication.”.
A rationale: Propranolol is a beta-blocker and does not typically cause a cough. This is more common with ACE inhibitors.
B. "I will sit on the side of the bed before I stand up.”.
B rationale: Propranolol can cause dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. So, it’s important to sit on the side of the bed before standing up.
C. "I will not take my medicine if my heart rate is greater than 70/min.”.
C rationale: Propranolol can lower heart rate, but a heart rate greater than 70/min is normal and not a reason to stop taking the medication.
D. "I should weigh myself on the same day once a week.”.
D rationale: While regular weight monitoring is important for patients taking medications that can cause fluid retention, propranolol is not typically associated with this side effect.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Propranolol is a beta-blocker and does not typically cause a cough. This is more common with ACE inhibitors.
Choice B rationale:
Propranolol can cause dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. So, it’s important to sit on the side of the bed before standing up.
Choice C rationale:
Propranolol can lower heart rate, but a heart rate greater than 70/min is normal and not a reason to stop taking the medication.
Choice D rationale:
While regular weight monitoring is important for patients taking medications that can cause fluid retention, propranolol is not typically associated with this side effect.