Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
The nurse is caring for a client who is taking diclofenac, an NSAID drug for rheumatoid arthritis. During a clinic visit, the client appears pale and reports increasing fatigue. Which of the client’s serum laboratory values is most important for the nurse to review?
A. Glucose
B. Total protein
C. Sodium
D. Hemoglobin
Diclofenac, like other NSAIDs, can cause gastrointestinal irritation and bleeding. The client’s symptoms of pallor and fatigue may indicate anemia due to blood loss. Reviewing the client’s hemoglobin level would help the nurse determine if the client is experiencing anemia and if further evaluation and intervention are needed.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - HESI Pharmacology Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Diclofenac, like other NSAIDs, can cause gastrointestinal irritation and bleeding. The client’s symptoms of pallor and fatigue may indicate anemia due to blood loss. Reviewing the client’s hemoglobin level would help the nurse determine if the client is experiencing anemia and if further evaluation and intervention are needed.
Similar Questions
Prior to administering the evening dose of carbamazepine, the nurse noted that the client’s morning carbamazepine level was 8.4 mg/L. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Withhold this dose of carbamazepine.
B. Notify the healthcare provider of the carbamazepine level.
C. Assess the client for side effects of carbamazepine.
D. Administer the carbamazepine as prescribed.
A carbamazepine level of 8.4 mg/L is within the therapeutic range of 4-12 mg/L. The nurse should administer the evening dose of carbamazepine as prescribed. The nurse should continue to monitor the client’s carbamazepine levels and assess for any side effects of the medication.
Full Explanation
A carbamazepine level of 8.4 mg/L is within the therapeutic range of 4-12 mg/L. The nurse should administer the evening dose of carbamazepine as prescribed. The nurse should continue to monitor the client’s carbamazepine levels and assess for any side effects of the medication.
The nurse assesses a client with intermittent claudication who is receiving pentoxifylline. Which assessment should the nurse perform to determine the effectiveness of the medication?
A. Evaluate the level of consciousness.
B. Auscultate bowel sounds.
C. Measure hourly urinary output.
D. Monitor numeric pain scale.
Intermittent claudication is a condition in which there is pain in the legs due to reduced blood flow. Pentoxifylline is a medication that can improve blood flow by reducing the viscosity of the blood. Therefore, to determine the effectiveness of the medication in managing intermittent claudication, the nurse should monitor the client's pain level using a numeric pain scale. This will help to assess if the medication provides pain relief and improving the client's ability to walk without discomfort. Options a, b, and c are not relevant to the assessment of the effectiveness of pentoxifylline in managing intermittent claudication.
Full Explanation
Intermittent claudication is a condition in which there is pain in the legs due to reduced blood flow. Pentoxifylline is a medication that can improve blood flow by reducing the viscosity of the blood. Therefore, to determine the effectiveness of the medication in managing intermittent claudication, the nurse should monitor the client's pain level using a numeric pain scale. This will help to assess if the medication provides pain relief and improving the client's ability to walk without discomfort.
Options a, b, and c are not relevant to the assessment of the effectiveness of pentoxifylline in managing intermittent claudication.
A client is scheduled for a spiral computed topography (CT) scan with contrast to evaluate for pulmonary embolism. Which information in the client’s history requires follow-up by the nurse?
A. CT scan that was performed 6 months earlier.
B. Takes metformin hydrochloride for type 2 diabetes.
Metformin is a medication that can affect kidney function. Since contrast dye used in CT scans is processed through the kidneys, it is important for the nurse to follow up on the client’s use of metformin before the CT scan with contrast. The client may need to temporarily stop taking metformin before and after the procedure to prevent any potential harm to their kidneys.
C. Metal hip prosthesis was placed two years ago.
D. Report on client’s sobriety for the last five years.
Full Explanation
Metformin is a medication that can affect kidney function. Since contrast dye used in CT scans is processed through the kidneys, it is important for the nurse to follow up on the client’s use of metformin before the CT scan with contrast. The client may need to temporarily stop taking metformin before and after the procedure to prevent any potential harm to their kidneys.