A client received baclofen to help with muscle spasticity. Four hours after administering the dose, the nurse assesses the client for decreased muscle spasms that cause pain and impair mobility. What phase of the nursing process does this represent?
Planning
Evaluation
Diagnosis
Implementation
Assessment
The Correct Answer is B
A) Planning: The planning phase of the nursing process involves identifying specific goals and outcomes for the patient based on their condition. In this scenario, the nurse has already administered the medication and is assessing the effectiveness, which is a part of evaluating the plan of care. Planning would have occurred prior to medication administration to decide on interventions, but it is not the phase the nurse is in now.
B) Evaluation: Evaluation is the phase where the nurse assesses whether the nursing interventions and treatments are effective in achieving the desired outcomes. In this scenario, the nurse is evaluating the effect of the baclofen dose by observing whether it reduced muscle spasms and pain. The nurse's focus on assessing the result of the medication and its impact on the client’s condition indicates the evaluation phase of the nursing process.
C) Diagnosis: The diagnosis phase occurs before interventions and involves identifying health problems or conditions that need attention. In this case, a nursing diagnosis such as "impaired mobility" or "pain related to muscle spasticity" might have been formulated earlier, but the focus now is on evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment, not on diagnosing the problem.
D) Implementation: Implementation is the phase where the planned interventions are carried out. Administering baclofen to the client would fall under this phase. However, since the nurse is now assessing the effect of the medication after its administration, this action takes place after the intervention and falls under the evaluation phase, not implementation.
E) Assessment: Assessment is the phase where data is gathered about the patient’s condition, including physical and mental health. In this case, the nurse would have assessed the client initially to determine the need for baclofen, but four hours later, the nurse is evaluating the outcome of the medication, not gathering initial data. Therefore, the action described is not part of the assessment phase but rather the evaluation phase.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) The client flushes the medication down the toilet: Flushing medication down the toilet is not recommended unless it is explicitly stated on the medication packaging or insert. Many medications, especially controlled substances, may be harmful to the environment if disposed of in this way. Environmental regulations discourage flushing medications unless instructed by the manufacturer, as it can contribute to water contamination. Therefore, this action indicates a need for additional education on proper medication disposal.
B) The client removes identifying information from the medication container: This is an appropriate action. Removing identifying information from the medication container before disposal helps ensure privacy and confidentiality, preventing unauthorized individuals from accessing personal health information. This is part of safe and secure medication disposal practices.
C) The client reads the medication insert to determine the disposal method: This is an appropriate action. Reading the medication insert is the best way for a client to understand the recommended disposal method for their specific medication. Many medications have detailed instructions on how to dispose of them safely and environmentally.
D) The client mixes the medication with coffee grounds: This is an appropriate action. Mixing medications with coffee grounds, cat litter, or dirt is recommended for medications that should not be flushed or thrown in the trash. This helps make the medication less appealing to children, pets, or others who may come across it and ensures safe disposal. This action is consistent with the guidance for non-hazardous medications.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) The drugs will compete for receptor sites: While it's true that highly protein-bound drugs can compete for binding sites on proteins (like albumin), the main issue with highly protein-bound drugs interacting is not related to competition for receptor sites. The primary concern is how the drugs displace each other from the protein-binding sites, which can increase the free (active) drug levels in the bloodstream. This can lead to a higher pharmacological effect, especially if the unbound drug concentration rises to a therapeutic or toxic level.
B) The client will have increased effects of both drugs: This is the correct answer. When two highly protein-bound drugs are administered together, they can displace each other from protein-binding sites. This displacement increases the amount of free (active) drug in circulation, which may intensify the pharmacologic effects of both drugs. For example, if one drug displaces the other from its protein-binding site, more of the free drug will be available to exert its effects. This can increase the risk of side effects, toxicity, or both.
C) The client will have decreased effects of both drugs: This is incorrect. The opposite is true—when two highly protein-bound drugs are given together, the displacement of one drug increases the amount of the free drug available, leading to a stronger effect, not a weaker one. Decreased effects would occur if the drug had no access to the target receptor or if it were metabolized or eliminated too quickly, which isn't the case in this scenario.
D) Both drugs are equally bound to protein: While both drugs may bind to protein, they do not necessarily bind equally. One drug might bind more strongly or more selectively to the protein than the other, which could lead to displacement of the weaker-bound drug. The important point is that their competition for protein-binding sites can lead to an increase in free (active) drug concentrations.
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