Hesi rn pharmacology

Hesi rn pharmacology

Total Questions : 44

Showing 10 questions Sign up for more
Question 1: View

Before administering a laxative to a bedfast client, it is most important for the nurse to perform which assessment?

Explanation

A) Evaluate the client's ability to recognize the urge to defecate: Assessing the client's ability to recognize the urge to defecate is important for promoting independence in toileting. However, this assessment may not directly indicate the need for administering a laxative. It is more relevant for clients who are able to ambulate or have control over their bowel movements.

B) Determine the frequency and consistency of bowel movements: Assessing the frequency and consistency of bowel movements provides valuable information about the client's bowel function and helps determine the need for a laxative. It allows the nurse to establish a baseline and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Understanding the client's typical bowel pattern is crucial before administering a laxative to avoid overmedication or potential complications such as diarrhea or fecal impaction.

C) Observe the skin integrity of the client's rectal and sacral areas: Assessing skin integrity in the rectal and sacral areas is crucial for preventing pressure ulcers, especially in bedfast clients. However, it is not directly related to the need for administering a laxative.

D) Assess the client's strength in moving and turning in the bed: While assessing the client's strength and mobility is important for overall care and prevention of complications related to immobility, it may not be directly related to the need for administering a laxative. This assessment is more relevant for preventing complications such as pressure ulcers and maintaining musculoskeletal function.


Question 2: View

A client who experiences migraine headaches reports having fewer headaches since using the herbal remedy feverfew. Which information is most important for the nurse to include in a teaching plan for this client?

Explanation

A) Feverfew may interact with aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: This information is crucial to include in the teaching plan because feverfew has been reported to interact with medications such as aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), potentially increasing the risk of bleeding. Clients need to be aware of potential drug interactions to prevent adverse effects and ensure safe use of feverfew.

B) Those with allergies to chamomile, ragweed, or yarrow should not take feverfew: While this is important information to consider, it may not be as immediately relevant to the client's current situation of experiencing fewer headaches with feverfew use. However, it is still important to assess for allergies and sensitivities to prevent allergic reactions.

C) Increased anxiety and nervousness have been reported by those taking feverfew: Although this is a potential side effect of feverfew, it may not be the most important information to include in the teaching plan for a client who is experiencing fewer headaches with feverfew use. The focus should be on the client's positive response to the herbal remedy and potential interactions with other medications.

D) Abdominal pain, gas, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can occur when taking feverfew: While this is important information regarding potential side effects of feverfew, it may not be as immediately relevant to the client's current situation of experiencing fewer headaches with feverfew use. However, clients should be informed about possible adverse effects to monitor for and report to their healthcare provider if they occur.


Question 3: View

A client with myasthenia gravis receives a now prescription for pyridostigmine. Which information should the nurse obtain to prior to administering the medication?

Explanation

A) Recent oral intake: This information is important because pyridostigmine is typically administered orally and can interact with food, affecting its absorption. It is essential to ensure that the client has recently eaten or will eat soon to minimize gastrointestinal side effects and optimize medication absorption.

B) Trouble sleeping: While sleep disturbances can be a concern, particularly if they worsen with medication use, it may not be the most critical information to obtain before administering pyridostigmine. However, if the client experiences worsening sleep disturbances after starting the medication, it should be reported to the healthcare provider.

C) Unexplained weight loss: While weight loss can be a symptom of myasthenia gravis, it may not be directly related to the administration of pyridostigmine. However, if the client experiences significant weight loss or other unexplained symptoms, further assessment and evaluation may be necessary.

D) Difficulty with urination: Pyridostigmine can affect bladder function and may exacerbate urinary retention, especially in clients with myasthenia gravis. However, obtaining information about the client's recent oral intake is more crucial to ensure optimal medication absorption and minimize gastrointestinal side effects. Difficulty with urination should still be monitored, but it may not be the most immediate concern before administering the medication.


Question 4: View

The nurse is planning discharge teaching for a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who has a now prescription for insulin glargine. Which action should the nurse plan to include in the discharge teaching?

Explanation

A) Provide information on increasing medication dosage if ketoacidosis occurs: While it is important for clients with diabetes to understand the signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and how to respond, increasing insulin dosage on their own without healthcare provider guidance could be dangerous. Adjusting insulin dosage should always be done under the direction of a healthcare provider.

B) Teach the client self-injection skills for daily subcutaneous administration: Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin used for basal (background) insulin coverage in clients with diabetes. Teaching the client how to self-administer insulin injections is essential for effective management of diabetes, especially when using long-acting insulin formulations like insulin glargine. Proper injection technique, site rotation, and storage of insulin are important aspects of this teaching.

C) Demonstrate how to select dose based on before meal blood sugar readings: Insulin glargine is typically administered once daily at the same time each day and is not adjusted based on before meal blood sugar readings. Instead, it provides a steady level of insulin over 24 hours to help control blood sugar levels between meals and overnight.

D) Explain to the family how to inject this medication for severe hypoglycemia: Insulin glargine is not used for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia. Instead, it is a long-acting insulin used to maintain basal insulin levels in clients with diabetes. Severe hypoglycemia is treated with fast-acting glucose sources such as oral glucose tablets, gel, or glucagon injections, and the family should be educated on these treatments instead.


Question 5: View

A female client who is starting a new prescription for doxycycline hyclate tells the nurse that she takes birth control pills. Which action should the nurse take?

Explanation

A) Notify the healthcare provider of the contraindication to tetracyclines: Tetracyclines, including doxycycline hyclate, are not contraindicated in clients taking birth control pills. While there may be interactions between these medications, they are not absolute contraindications.

B) Advise the client that the oral birth control will be less effective while taking doxycycline hyclate: Doxycycline hyclate, like other antibiotics, may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives by altering the gut flora and interfering with the enterohepatic circulation of estrogen. Clients should be informed of this potential interaction and advised to use an additional form of contraception (such as condoms) while taking the antibiotic and for a period afterward.

C) Instruct the client to take the two medications at least two hours apart: While separating the administration of doxycycline hyclate and oral contraceptives by two hours may reduce the potential for interaction, it is not the standard recommendation. It is generally advised to use additional contraceptive methods during antibiotic therapy and for a period afterward, rather than relying solely on timing of medication administration.

D) Encourage the client to stop taking oral birth control until she has finished taking all the doxycycline hyclate: Stopping oral contraceptives abruptly is not recommended and may lead to unintended pregnancy. Instead, clients should be advised to use additional contraceptive methods while taking doxycycline hyclate and for a period afterward to ensure continued protection against pregnancy.


Question 6: View

The healthcare provider prescribes the antibiotic surgical prophylaxis protocol for a client who weighs 90 kg. The protocol is cefazolin 2 grams/100 mL. 0.9% normal saline over 1 hour for clients weighing less than 285.5 pounds or cefazolin 3 grams/100 mL 0.9% normal saline over 90 minutes for clients weighing greater than 265.5 pounds. The nurse should program the pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Enter number value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)

Explanation

Since the client weighs 90 kg, let’s first convert their weight to pounds to determine the appropriate cefazolin dosage:

Conversion factor: 1 kg = 2.205 pounds

Client weight (pounds) = 90 kg x 2.205 pounds/kg = 198.45 pounds (rounded to two decimals)

Now, comparing the client’s weight (198.45 pounds) to the weight threshold (265.5 pounds):

Client weight is less than the threshold (198.45 pounds < 265.5 pounds).

Therefore, the appropriate dosage is:

Cefazolin 2 grams/100 mL 0.9% normal saline over 1 hour.

The pump rate is determined by the total volume of the IV fluid and the infusion time.

We are not given the specific bag size, but typically these come in 100 mL or 500 mL volumes.

Assuming a 100 mL bag (which aligns with the concentration provided):

Total volume of IV bag: 100 mL

Infusion time: 1 hour

Calculation:

Pump rate (mL/hr) = Total volume (mL) / Infusion time (hr)

Pump rate (mL/hr) = 100 mL / 1 hour = 100 mL/hr

Therefore, the nurse should program the pump to deliver 100 mL/hr.


Question 7: View

The nurse is reviewing the client’s laboratory results. Based on a client’s serum digoxin level, the client is diagnosed with digoxin toxicity. Which action should the nurse expect to implement?

Explanation

  1. Begin cardioversion to stabilize heart rhythm: Cardioversion is not the appropriate intervention for digoxin toxicity. Digoxin toxicity can cause arrhythmias, but the initial action should be to assess and manage the underlying cause, rather than immediately proceeding to cardioversion.

B) Give digoxin by another route to slow absorption: Slowing the absorption of digoxin is not the appropriate action for treating digoxin toxicity. Instead, the focus should be on managing the existing toxicity and preventing further absorption by withholding additional doses.

C) Administer potassium to stabilize the heart rate: While potassium may be indicated as part of the treatment for digoxin toxicity, particularly if hypokalemia is contributing to the toxicity, it is not the initial action. The priority is to assess the client’s acid-base and electrolyte values to identify any abnormalities contributing to the toxicity.

D) Check acid-base and electrolyte values: This is the correct action. Digoxin toxicity can be exacerbated by electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, and hypomagnesemia. Therefore, assessing the client’s acid-base and electrolyte values is essential to identify and correct any abnormalities contributing to the toxicity. Once identified, appropriate interventions can be implemented to manage the toxicity and stabilize the client’s condition.


Question 8: View

A client is scheduled for a spiral computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast to evaluate for pulmonary embolism. Which information in the client’s history requires follow up by the nurse?

Explanation

A) CT scan that was performed six months earlier: A previous CT scan performed six months earlier does not necessarily require follow-up by the nurse. However, it would be important to review the results of the previous CT scan to compare findings and assess for any changes over time.

B) Takes metformin hydrochloride for type 2 diabetes mellitus: This is the correct answer. Metformin is excreted by the kidneys, and contrast media used in CT scans can potentially cause kidney damage, particularly in clients with pre-existing renal impairment. Therefore, clients taking metformin may be at increased risk of developing lactic acidosis if renal function is compromised. It is essential for the nurse to follow up on this information and coordinate with the healthcare provider to determine whether metformin should be temporarily discontinued before the CT scan and when it can be safely resumed.

C) Report of client’s sobriety for the last five years: The client’s sobriety status for the last five years is not directly relevant to the CT scan with contrast for evaluating pulmonary embolism. While substance use history is important for overall health assessment, it does not specifically require follow-up related to the CT scan.

D) Metal hip prosthesis was placed twenty years ago: The presence of a metal hip prosthesis placed twenty years ago may be relevant for certain imaging studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or metal artifact reduction sequence (MARS) MRI, but it is not directly related to the CT scan with contrast for pulmonary embolism evaluation. Therefore, it does not require immediate follow-up by the nurse in this context.


Question 9: View

A client with a history of smoking cigarettes for many years arrives to the clinic and expresses a desire to stop smoking. The client receives a prescription for bupropion to reduce nicotine cravings. Which information should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?

Explanation

A) Be aware that difficulty sleeping and weight loss may occur: This is the correct answer. Bupropion is associated with potential side effects such as insomnia and weight loss. It is essential for the nurse to inform the client about these possible adverse effects to ensure they are aware and can monitor for them. By being informed, the client can report any concerns promptly to their healthcare provider.

B) Administer each dose with at least 8 ounces (240 ml) of water: While it is generally advisable to take medications with a full glass of water, this instruction is not specifically related to bupropion. Therefore, it is not the most pertinent information for discharge teaching regarding this medication.

C) Consume tyramine-free foods while taking the medicine: This instruction is not relevant to bupropion. Tyramine restriction is typically associated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), not bupropion.

D) Notify the healthcare provider if experiencing changes in taste: Changes in taste are not commonly associated with bupropion use. While it is important to monitor for and report any unusual symptoms while taking medication, difficulty sleeping and weight loss are more commonly observed adverse effects of bupropion that should be emphasized in discharge teaching for a client prescribed this medication to reduce nicotine cravings.


Question 10: View

The nurse is providing discharge instructions for a client with metastatic cancer who is proscribed morphine for bone pain. Which information from the client indicates to the nurse an understanding of the medication?

Explanation

A) Take the benzodiazepine at the same time of taking the morphine: This statement is incorrect. Benzodiazepines and morphine are both central nervous system depressants and can potentiate each other’s effects, leading to increased sedation and respiratory depression. Taking them together without proper supervision or dosage adjustment can be dangerous. Therefore, this statement indicates a misunderstanding of the medication regimen.

B) Do not drink grapefruit juice after taking morphine: While grapefruit juice can interact with certain medications by affecting their metabolism, there is no specific interaction between grapefruit juice and morphine that requires avoidance. Therefore, this statement is not directly related to the use of morphine for bone pain.

C) Watch for signs of agitation and record any insomnia: While it is important to monitor for side effects of morphine, such as agitation and insomnia, this statement does not directly relate to the management of constipation, which is a common side effect of opioid analgesics like morphine.

D) Observe bowel movement pattern and take a stool softener: This is the correct answer. Morphine is known to cause constipation as a side effect due to its action on opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, monitoring bowel movements and taking a stool softener can help prevent or alleviate constipation associated with morphine use. This statement indicates an understanding of the potential side effects of the medication and the importance of managing them appropriately.


You just viewed 10 questions out of the 44 questions on the Hesi rn pharmacology Exam. Subscribe to our Premium Package to obtain access on all the questions and have unlimited access on all Exams.

Subscribe Now

learning

Join Naxlex Nursing for nursing questions & guides! Sign Up Now