A client is newly prescribed calcium carbonate and asks how they should take this medication. What is the best response by the nurse?
Take this medication with a small sip of water or on an empty stomach
This medication should be taken two hours before other medications."
Place this medication underneath your tongue and let it dissolve
You can take as many doses of this medication as you need"
The Correct Answer is B
A. "Take this medication with a small sip of water or on an empty stomach":
This response is not ideal for calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is typically taken with food to help increase its absorption and to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal discomfort, such as constipation or bloating. Taking it on an empty stomach could cause irritation and is not the standard guideline for this medication.
B. "This medication should be taken two hours before other medications":
This is the most appropriate response. Calcium carbonate can interfere with the absorption of other medications, particularly those that require an acidic environment for proper absorption, such as certain antibiotics (e.g., tetracyclines) and thyroid medications. Therefore, taking calcium carbonate two hours before or after other medications helps to prevent such interactions.
C. "Place this medication underneath your tongue and let it dissolve":
Calcium carbonate is typically taken orally in tablet form, not sublingually. The medication should not be dissolved under the tongue, as it is not designed for that route of administration. This would be an incorrect instruction.
D. "You can take as many doses of this medication as you need":
This statement is not accurate. Calcium carbonate should be taken as prescribed and in the correct dosage to avoid side effects such as hypercalcemia or kidney stones. Overuse of calcium supplements can lead to serious complications, and it should not be taken "as needed" without specific instructions from the healthcare provider.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Prepare and administer the prescribed antidote: Administering an antidote would only be appropriate if the medication error resulted in a harmful reaction that requires immediate reversal. Since the issue here is the timing of medication administration, it is more important to first assess the client for any immediate effects rather than administering an antidote, which might not be necessary at this stage.
B) Notify the charge nurse, the nurse manager, and the prescriber: While notifying the appropriate staff is crucial, the first action should be assessing the client for any safety concerns or complications resulting from the medication administration error. Immediate evaluation of the client's condition should take precedence over notification.
C) Assess and identify the presence of urgent safety issues: The first priority in this situation is to assess the client for any adverse effects or reactions due to the medication being administered too quickly. This could include monitoring for signs of toxicity, adverse reactions, or changes in vital signs that may indicate a potential risk to the client’s health. Once the client's status is assessed, further actions such as notifying other staff or completing an incident report can follow.
D) Complete an incident report detailing the error: While documenting the error in an incident report is necessary, this should not be the first step. The immediate priority is to ensure the client’s safety by assessing their condition, as an error in the timing of medication administration may result in unwanted side effects or complications that need to be addressed first.
Correct Answer is ["4"]
Explanation
Identify the desired dose: The doctor has ordered 40 mg of atorvastatin.
Identify the available tablet strength: Each tablet contains 10 mg of atorvastatin.
Set up the calculation: We need to find out how many tablets are needed to administer 40 mg of the medication.
We can use the following formula:
(Desired dose) / (Tablet strength) = Number of tablets
Plug in the values and calculate:
(40 mg) / (10 mg/tablet) = 4 tablets
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
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.