A client with a history of angina reports the onset of chest pain. The nurse determines that the heart rate is 104 beats/minute and the blood pressure is 138/86 mm Hg. A transdermal nitroglycerin patch was applied 30 minutes ago to the right upper chest. Which action should the nurse take?
Obtain another transdermal patch and position it on the client’s left upper chest.
Withhold further doses of nitroglycerin until contacting the healthcare provider.
Leave the patch in place and administer a PRN dose of sublingual nitroglycerin.
Reassure the client that the patch will begin to take effect within a few minutes.
The Correct Answer is C
A) Applying another transdermal patch is not recommended without healthcare provider approval. Doubling the dose of nitroglycerin could increase the risk of hypotension and other adverse effects.
B) Withholding further doses of nitroglycerin without healthcare provider guidance may lead to inadequate control of angina symptoms. However, in this scenario, the client has already received a dose of transdermal nitroglycerin, so withholding further doses may not be appropriate if the client’s symptoms persist.
C) Leaving the patch in place and administering a sublingual dose of nitroglycerin is the correct action in this situation. Sublingual nitroglycerin provides rapid relief of angina symptoms by dilating blood vessels and improving myocardial oxygen supply. The transdermal patch may not have reached therapeutic levels yet, but the sublingual form can provide more immediate relief.
D) While it’s important to reassure the client, especially during an episode of chest pain, relying solely on the transdermal patch to take effect may not provide timely relief. Administering sublingual nitroglycerin allows for faster absorption and symptom relief.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Provide information on increasing medication dosage if ketoacidosis occurs: While it is important for clients with diabetes to understand the signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and how to respond, increasing insulin dosage on their own without healthcare provider guidance could be dangerous. Adjusting insulin dosage should always be done under the direction of a healthcare provider.
B) Teach the client self-injection skills for daily subcutaneous administration: Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin used for basal (background) insulin coverage in clients with diabetes. Teaching the client how to self-administer insulin injections is essential for effective management of diabetes, especially when using long-acting insulin formulations like insulin glargine. Proper injection technique, site rotation, and storage of insulin are important aspects of this teaching.
C) Demonstrate how to select dose based on before meal blood sugar readings: Insulin glargine is typically administered once daily at the same time each day and is not adjusted based on before meal blood sugar readings. Instead, it provides a steady level of insulin over 24 hours to help control blood sugar levels between meals and overnight.
D) Explain to the family how to inject this medication for severe hypoglycemia: Insulin glargine is not used for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia. Instead, it is a long-acting insulin used to maintain basal insulin levels in clients with diabetes. Severe hypoglycemia is treated with fast-acting glucose sources such as oral glucose tablets, gel, or glucagon injections, and the family should be educated on these treatments instead.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
- pH: Calcium acetate is not directly related to changes in blood pH. Therefore, monitoring pH levels would not indicate the effectiveness of the medication for CKD.
B) Calcium: Calcium levels may be affected by calcium acetate, but the primary goal of using calcium acetate in CKD is to reduce phosphate levels, not calcium levels. Therefore, monitoring calcium levels would not directly indicate the effectiveness of the medication.
C) Potassium: Calcium acetate is not typically used to affect potassium levels. Monitoring potassium levels would not indicate the effectiveness of calcium acetate for CKD.
D) Phosphate: This is the correct answer. Calcium acetate is a phosphate binder commonly used in CKD to help lower elevated phosphate levels. A decrease in phosphate levels in the blood would indicate that the medication is having the desired effect in controlling phosphate levels, which is important in managing CKD and preventing complications associated with hyperphosphatemia. Therefore, monitoring phosphate levels is essential to assess the effectiveness of calcium acetate therapy in CKD.
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