A 70-year-old patient has just received a drug that can cause sedation.
What would be the priority nursing diagnosis for this patient?

Deficient Knowledge, unfamiliar with drug therapy.

Ineffective health maintenance, need for medication.

Risk for injury, related to adverse effect of the drug.

Noncompliance, cost of the drug.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale

This choice is incorrect. Although knowledge about drug therapy is important, it is not the most immediate concern in this scenario. The priority nursing diagnosis should address the potential risks associated with the drug’s side effects, such as sedation, which can impair the patient’s ability to function safely.

Choice B rationale

This choice is incorrect. While effective health maintenance and medication adherence are crucial, they do not directly address the immediate risk posed by the drug’s sedative effects. The priority should be to prevent harm and ensure the patient’s safety, which involves mitigating the risk of injury related to sedation.

Choice C rationale

This choice is correct. The primary concern with sedative drugs, especially in elderly patients, is the increased risk of falls and injuries due to impaired coordination and alertness. The nursing diagnosis “Risk for injury, related to adverse effect of the drug” directly addresses this critical issue, making it the priority in this situation.

Choice D rationale

This choice is incorrect. Noncompliance due to the cost of the drug is an important consideration, but it does not address the immediate safety risk posed by sedation. The priority should be to ensure the patient’s safety by managing the side effects that could lead to injury. Cost-related concerns can be addressed after ensuring that the patient is not at immediate risk of harm. .

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Oral morphine typically reaches peak activity at around 45 minutes after administration. This allows time for the medication to be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and enter the bloodstream to provide pain relief.

Choice B rationale

10 minutes is too short for oral morphine to reach peak activity. This timeframe is more consistent with intravenous administration, which allows for rapid onset of action.

Choice C rationale

30 minutes is a bit too short for oral morphine to reach peak effect, although some patients may start to feel relief. However, peak plasma concentrations generally occur closer to 45-60 minutes.

Choice D rationale

While morphine can continue to have effects up to 60 minutes and beyond, the peak activity is typically observed around the 45-minute mark. Waiting for 60 minutes may underestimate the peak timeframe.

A. Discontinue the drug if you experience insomnia. B. Rise slowly from your bed or chair to avoid dizziness and falls. C. Call your health care provider immediately if your urine turns a dark color. D. Take the drug with foods high in protein to improve drug delivery.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Discontinuing carbidopa-levodopa abruptly can lead to withdrawal symptoms and a worsening of Parkinson's symptoms. Insomnia is a possible side effect but should be managed under medical supervision.

Choice B rationale

Carbidopa-levodopa can cause orthostatic hypotension, leading to dizziness and an increased risk of falls. Patients should be advised to rise slowly from a sitting or lying position to prevent these effects.

Choice C rationale

Dark urine can be a harmless side effect of carbidopa-levodopa due to the excretion of metabolites. It is not usually a cause for concern unless accompanied by other symptoms.

Choice D rationale

High-protein foods can interfere with the absorption of carbidopa-levodopa, reducing its effectiveness. It is recommended to take the medication on an empty stomach or with low-protein foods.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A 70-year-old patient has just received a drug that can cause sedation.What would be the priority nursing diagnosis for this patient?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A home care nurse administers oral morphine to the patient with cancer pain. When will the nurse expect the medication to reach peak activity?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A patient who has Parkinson's will begin taking carbidopa-levodopa.What information will the nurse include when teaching this patient about this medication?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse is performing an admission assessment on a stable patient admitted after a motor vehicle accident.The patient reports having bad pain.What will the nurse do first?

The nurse is conducting an admission assessment on a patient.When collecting data relating to the medications, the nurse asks “What medications are you taking?” After collecting that information, what other queries should the nurse ask? Select all that apply.

A nurse is assessing the patient's home medication use.After listening to the patient's list of current medications, the nurse asks what priority query?

A nurse is caring for a six-year-old child who had surgery that morning.The child is awake and lying very still in bed.What should the nurse do?

Identify one indicator for a narcotics antagonist to be prescribed.

A patient exhibits ptosis of both eyes and the provider orders edrophonium (Tensilon). The nurse notes immediate improvement of the ptosis.The nurse understands that this patient most likely has which disorder?

The nurse is caring for a patient who is taking a calcium-channel blocker.What adverse effects would the nurse caution this patient about?

When involved in phase III drug evaluation studies, what responsibilities would the nurse have?

A 70-year-old patient has just received a drug that can cause sedation.
What would be the priority nursing diagnosis for this patient?