Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is teaching an adolescent about medication therapy with oral acetylcysteine. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. It is necessary to monitor your serum electrolyte levels.
It is necessary to monitor your serum electrolyte levels: Monitoring serum electrolyte levels is not typically required with oral acetylcysteine therapy. However, it is important to follow the healthcare provider's instructions regarding monitoring and follow-up appointments.
B. "You should avoid eating eggs.”
"You should avoid eating eggs": There is no specific dietary restriction or need to avoid eating eggs while taking oral acetylcysteine. However, it is always advisable to follow a balanced and healthy diet.
C. “Your mouth will become dry!"
"Your mouth will become dry!": Dry mouth is not a common side effect of oral acetylcysteine. Side effects may vary from person to person, but dry mouth is not typically associated with this medication.
D. This medication has a very unusual odor.
Acetylcysteine has a strong and distinct odor, often described as a sulfur-like smell. It is important for the adolescent to be aware of this characteristic odor so that they do not become alarmed or concerned when they encounter it.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI NUR 229 Pharmacology Test #1 OEK Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Acetylcysteine has a strong and distinct odor, often described as a sulfur-like smell. It is important for the adolescent to be aware of this characteristic odor so that they do not become alarmed or concerned when they encounter it.
The other options mentioned are incorrect:
A. It is necessary to monitor your serum electrolyte levels: Monitoring serum electrolyte levels is not typically required with oral acetylcysteine therapy. However, it is important to follow the healthcare provider's instructions regarding monitoring and follow-up appointments.
B. "You should avoid eating eggs": There is no specific dietary restriction or need to avoid eating eggs while taking oral acetylcysteine. However, it is always advisable to follow a balanced and healthy diet.
C. "Your mouth will become dry!": Dry mouth is not a common side effect of oral acetylcysteine. Side effects may vary from person to person, but dry mouth is not typically associated with this medication.
Similar Questions
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has asthma and new prescriptions for beclomethasone and albuterol, both by inhaler. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. I will be sure to take the albuterol inhaler before taking the beclomethasone inhaler.
Albuterol is a bronchodilator that provides quick relief by relaxing the muscles around the airways, making it essential to use before a corticosteroid like beclomethasone, which reduces inflammation. Using albuterol first allows for better delivery of the beclomethasone to the airways.
B. I will use both medications immediately after exercising.
Albuterol may be used as a rescue inhaler before exercise to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm, but beclomethasone is a maintenance medication and should not be used immediately after exercising unless prescribed.
C. "If my breathing begins to feel tight will use the beclomethasone inhaler immediately”
Beclomethasone is a long-term control medication, not a rescue inhaler. If breathing feels tight or there is an asthma attack, the client should use the albuterol inhaler for immediate relief.
D. I will administer the medications 10 minutes apart
While there is no strict rule about the timing between inhaler uses, the albuterol should be used first to open the airways, and while waiting a few minutes is acceptable, the emphasis should be on using albuterol before beclomethasone rather than a specific time frame.
Full Explanation
A. Albuterol is a bronchodilator that provides quick relief by relaxing the muscles around the airways, making it essential to use before a corticosteroid like beclomethasone, which reduces inflammation. Using albuterol first allows for better delivery of the beclomethasone to the airways.
B. I will use both medications immediately after exercising. Albuterol may be used as a rescue inhaler before exercise to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm, but beclomethasone is a maintenance medication and should not be used immediately after exercising unless prescribed.
C. "If my breathing begins to feel tight, I will use the beclomethasone inhaler immediately.” Beclomethasone is a long-term control medication, not a rescue inhaler. If breathing feels tight or there is an asthma attack, the client should use the albuterol inhaler for immediate relief.
D. I will administer the medications 10 minutes apart. While there is no strict rule about the timing between inhaler uses, the albuterol should be used first to open the airways, and while waiting a few minutes is acceptable, the emphasis should be on using albuterol before beclomethasone rather than a specific time frame.
Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) is a mucolytic that can also be used in the treatment of overdosage of which drug?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Diphenhydramine
C. Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen overdose can cause liver damage, and acetylcysteine is used as an antidote to prevent or minimize the liver injury caused by acetaminophen toxicity. Acetylcysteine works by replenishing glutathione, a substance that helps neutralize the toxic byproducts of acetaminophen metabolism in the liver. It is important to note that acetylcysteine is specifically indicated for acetaminophen overdose and may not be effective or appropriate for overdosage of other drugs, such as ibuprofen, diphenhydramine, or amoxicillin.
D. Amoxicillin
Full Explanation
Acetaminophen overdose can cause liver damage, and acetylcysteine is used as an antidote to prevent or minimize the liver injury caused by acetaminophen toxicity. Acetylcysteine works by replenishing glutathione, a substance that helps neutralize the toxic byproducts of acetaminophen metabolism in the liver.
It is important to note that acetylcysteine is specifically indicated for acetaminophen overdose and may not be effective or appropriate for overdosage of other drugs, such as ibuprofen, diphenhydramine, or amoxicillin.
A client with diabetes mellitus is being admitted to the hospital for surgery. The client has been taking Glucocorticoids (Prednisone) long-term for uncontrolled COPD. Which of the following must the nurse consider when she is obtaining a health history? (Select All that Apply.)
A. Due to the use of long-term glucocorticoids her medication must not be abruptly discontinued to avoid adrenal suppression
B. The client may develop low blood pressure
C. The use of long-term glucocorticoids places the client at risk for increased susceptibility to infection
D. The use of long-term glucocorticoids may have contributed to a spike in blood glucose levels
E. The client will most likely experience more pain
Full Explanation
The nurse must consider the following when obtaining a health history for a client with diabetes mellitus who has been taking glucocorticoids (prednisone) long-term for uncontrolled COPD:
- Due to the use of long-term glucocorticoids, the medication must not be abruptly discontinued to avoid adrenal suppression. Abruptly stopping glucocorticoids can lead to adrenal insufficiency and a potentially life-threatening condition. Gradual tapering of the medication is necessary under medical supervision.
- The use of long-term glucocorticoids may contribute to a spike in blood glucose levels. Glucocorticoids can cause insulin resistance and increase blood sugar levels, which can be problematic for individuals with diabetes mellitus.
- The use of long-term glucocorticoids places the client at risk for increased susceptibility to infection. Glucocorticoids can suppress the immune system, making the client more susceptible to infections. This is important to consider, especially in a hospital setting where the risk of acquiring infections may be higher.
Regarding the other options:
The client may develop low blood pressure: While glucocorticoids can cause fluid retention and increased blood pressure, they are not typically associated with low blood pressure.
The client will most likely experience more pain: The use of glucocorticoids is not directly related to increased pain perception. Pain management may be influenced by various factors, but it is not specifically attributed to long-term glucocorticoid use.
