A client receives a prescription for intravenous (IV) famotidine. Which finding indicates to the practical nurse (PN) the medication is effective?

Reduced epigastric pain

Loss of 3 pounds (1.36 kg) in a month

Decreased nighttime awakenings

Positive stool antigen test

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Famotidine, an H2 receptor blocker, reduces gastric acid production, alleviating epigastric pain caused by acid-related conditions like gastritis or ulcers. Decreased pain indicates the drug’s effectiveness in lowering acid levels, protecting the gastric mucosa, and promoting healing, making this the primary clinical outcome.

Choice B reason: Weight loss of 3 pounds is not a direct indicator of famotidine’s effectiveness. It may result from unrelated factors like diet or illness. Famotidine targets acid reduction, not weight, so this finding is irrelevant to assessing the drug’s therapeutic impact on gastric conditions.

Choice C reason: Decreased nighttime awakenings may occur with reduced pain but are not a specific measure of famotidine’s effectiveness. Awakenings could relate to other factors, like sleep disorders. Pain reduction is a more direct indicator of the drug’s action on acid-related symptoms.

Choice D reason: A positive stool antigen test indicates Helicobacter pylori infection, not famotidine’s effectiveness. Famotidine reduces acid but does not eradicate H. pylori, which requires antibiotics. This finding is unrelated to the drug’s primary role in acid suppression and symptom relief.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Appetite changes may occur with levothyroxine due to metabolic effects, but they are not the most critical side effect. Excessive thyroid hormone can overstimulate metabolism, but cardiovascular effects, like tachycardia, are more immediate and dangerous, making appetite monitoring less urgent.

Choice B reason: Sleep disturbances may result from levothyroxine’s stimulatory effects, but they are less severe than cardiovascular risks. Overdose can cause insomnia by increasing metabolism, but heart rate is a more direct indicator of hyperthyroidism, which poses greater health risks, making this choice secondary.

Choice C reason: Heart rate is critical to monitor, as levothyroxine increases metabolism, potentially causing tachycardia or arrhythmias if overdosed. Excess thyroid hormone mimics hyperthyroidism, stressing the cardiovascular system, which can lead to palpitations or heart failure, making this the most important parameter for side effect detection.

Choice D reason: Daily weights track fluid or metabolic changes but are less specific for levothyroxine side effects. Weight loss may occur with excess dosing, but cardiovascular effects, like increased heart rate, are more immediate and life-threatening, requiring closer monitoring than weight fluctuations.

A. Tell the client to take medications with food to decrease the possibility of future reactions B. Instruct the client to wear a medic alert bracelet so penicillin will not be given again C. Tell the client to keep epinephrine on hand for self-administration in case a reaction occurs again D. Inform the client that it is essential to take all of the prescribed ampicillin

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Taking medications with food may reduce gastric irritation but does not prevent anaphylactic reactions to penicillin, which are immune-mediated. This advice is irrelevant for avoiding future allergic responses, as it does not address the systemic hypersensitivity triggered by penicillin exposure.

Choice B reason: A medic alert bracelet is critical for a client with a penicillin anaphylaxis history, as it alerts healthcare providers to avoid penicillin, preventing potentially fatal allergic reactions. Anaphylaxis involves IgE-mediated histamine release, and re-exposure risks rapid, life-threatening symptoms, making this the most important instruction.

Choice C reason: Keeping epinephrine is useful for managing anaphylaxis but is secondary to prevention. A medic alert bracelet proactively avoids penicillin exposure, reducing the need for emergency intervention. Epinephrine treats symptoms but does not address the root cause of re-exposure risk.

Choice D reason: Taking all prescribed ampicillin is dangerous, as the client had an anaphylactic reaction, indicating a severe allergy. Continuing the drug risks recurrent, potentially fatal reactions. This choice is incorrect, as it contradicts the need to avoid the allergen entirely.

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A client receives a prescription for intravenous (IV) famotidine. Which finding indicates to the practical nurse (PN) the medication is effective?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The practical nurse (PN) is providing discharge instructions to a client who had a partial thyroidectomy. When explaining the actions of the prescribed thyroid supplement levothyroxine sodium, which parameter should the PN tell the client is most important to monitor for potential side effects?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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