A client who is reaching saturation with medication reports the onset of muscle soreness and fatigue, and the practical nurse (PN) notes that the client's skin is warm to the touch.
Which action by the PN is a priority?
Administer a PRN dose of acetaminophen.
Encourage the client to drink fluids.
Report the findings to the charge nurse.
Monitor the client's serum lipid levels.
The Correct Answer is C
This is the priority action by the practical nurse (PN) because it can help identify and prevent a potential adverse reaction to the medication. A client who is reaching saturation with medication means that the client has reached the maximum level of medication in the blood that can produce the desired therapeutic effect. However, this also means that the client is at a higher risk of developing toxicity or side effects from the medication. The PN should report the findings of muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin to the charge nurse, as these may indicate signs of inflammation, infection, or allergic reaction to the medication. The PN should also monitor the client's vital signs, oxygen saturation, and laboratory values, and document the findings. The charge nurse should notify the health care provider and adjust the medication dosage or regimen as ordered.
a) Administer a PRN dose of acetaminophen.
This is not the priority action by the PN because it does not address the underlying cause of the client's symptoms. Acetaminophen is an analgesic and antipyretic medication that can help reduce pain and fever. However, it does not treat inflammation, infection, or allergy, which may be the reasons for the client's muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin. The PN should administer a PRN dose of acetaminophen only after reporting the findings to the charge nurse and obtaining an order from the health care provider.
b) Encourage the client to drink fluids.
This is not the priority action by the PN because it does not address the underlying cause of the client's symptoms. Drinking fluids can help maintain hydration and electrolyte balance in the body, which are important for normal functioning of cells and organs. However, it does not treat inflammation, infection, or allergy, which may be the reasons for the client's muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin. The PN should encourage the client to drink fluids only after reporting the findings to the charge nurse and obtaining an order from the health care provider.
d) Monitor the client's serum lipid levels.
This is not the priority action by the PN because it is not related to the client's symptoms. Serum lipid levels are measures of fats and cholesterol in the blood, which are important for energy production, hormone synthesis, and cell membrane structure. However, they are not related to inflammation, infection, or allergy, which may be the reasons for the client's muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin. The PN should monitor the client's serum lipid levels only if they are prescribed a medication that can affect lipid metabolism, such as statins or fibrates.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
An 18-year-old client with a mild mental disability is a client who has a lower than average intellectual functioning and some limitations in adaptive skills, such as communication, socialization, and self-care. A mild mental disability may affect the client's ability to understand, cope, or cooperate with medical interventions, such as ambulation after surgery.
Ambulation is the act of walking or moving around. It is an important part of postoperative care, as it helps to prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, atelectasis, constipation, and pressure ulcers. Ambulation also promotes circulation, wound healing, and muscle strength.
When the practical nurse (PN) atempts to assist the client to ambulate on the first postoperative day after an appendectomy, the client becomes angry and says, "PN, 'Get out of here! I'll get up when I'm ready!" This may indicate that the client is experiencing pain, fear, anxiety, or frustration due to the surgery and the recovery process .
The best response for the PN to make is to acknowledge the client's feelings, provide reassurance and support, and set a clear and realistic goal for ambulation. This will help to establish rapport, reduce resistance, and motivate the client to participate in the care plan.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer, as it shows empathy and respect for the client's feelings, while also informing the client of the expectation and time frame for ambulation. Option D also allows the client some time to prepare mentally and physically for the activity.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is D. Notify your healthcare provider if you start having abdominal pain.
Choice A rationale:
Exenatide does not act in the same way as insulin. Insulin directly lowers blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells, while exenatide is an incretin mimetic that enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion and slows gastric emptying.
Choice B rationale:
Exenatide should be injected within 30 minutes before or after a meal, but this is not the most critical information for discharge instructions.
Choice C rationale:
There are precautions about taking exenatide with other medications, especially those that affect kidney function or interact with exenatide.
Choice D rationale:
Notifying the healthcare provider if abdominal pain starts is crucial because exenatide can cause side effects such as pancreatitis, which presents with severe abdominal pain. Early detection and intervention are essential for patient safety.
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