A client with a seizure disorder is seen at the clinic for a follow-up visit and a prescription renewal for phenytoin. Which assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?
Blood pressure 100/78 mm Hg.
Double vision.
Puffy, bleeding gums.
Chronic insomnia.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: This is not an assessment finding that warrants immediate intervention by the nurse. Blood pressure 100/78 mm Hg is within the normal range for an adult, and it does not indicate any adverse effect of phenytoin. The nurse should monitor the blood pressure for any changes, but it is not a priority.
Choice B reason: This is an assessment finding that warrants immediate intervention by the nurse. Double vision, or diplopia, is a sign of phenytoin toxicity, which can occur due to overdose, drug interactions, or impaired metabolism. Double vision can impair the client's vision, balance, and coordination, and increase the risk of falls and injuries. The nurse should stop the phenytoin infusion, if applicable, and notify the healthcare provider. The nurse should also check the serum phenytoin level and other vital signs, and prepare to administer an antidote, such as fosphenytoin, if indicated.
Choice C reason: This is not an assessment finding that warrants immediate intervention by the nurse. Puffy, bleeding gums are a common side effect of phenytoin, which can cause gingival hyperplasia, or overgrowth of the gum tissue. Puffy, bleeding gums are not life-threatening, but they can affect the client's oral hygiene and appearance. The nurse should instruct the client to brush and floss the teeth regularly, and to visit a dentist for dental care.
Choice D reason: This is not an assessment finding that warrants immediate intervention by the nurse. Chronic insomnia is not a common or serious side effect of phenytoin, which is an anticonvulsant that can have sedative effects. Chronic insomnia may be caused by other factors, such as stress, pain, or caffeine intake. The nurse should assess the client's sleep pattern and quality, and provide education and counseling on sleep hygiene and relaxation techniques.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not a correct instruction for the nurse to provide to the client's caregivers. When using the discus, the client should breathe out slowly and gently away from the mouthpiece, not into it. Breathing out rapidly into the mouthpiece can cause the powder to disperse and reduce the amount of medication delivered to the lungs. The client should also rinse the mouthpiece with water after each use and dry it thoroughly.
Choice B reason: This is not a correct instruction for the nurse to provide to the client's caregivers. The discus is not intended for use during an acute asthma attack, as it does not provide immediate relief of bronchospasm. The discus is a combination of fluticasone, a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation, and salmeterol, a long-acting beta-agonist that relaxes the airway muscles. The discus is a maintenance therapy that should be used regularly to prevent asthma symptoms and exacerbations. The client should also have a rescue inhaler, such as albuterol, for quick relief of asthma attacks.
Choice C reason: This is not a correct instruction for the nurse to provide to the client's caregivers. Clients using the discus may experience increased blood pressure, not decreased, as a possible side effect of salmeterol. Salmeterol can stimulate the beta receptors in the heart and blood vessels, causing tachycardia, palpitations, and hypertension. The nurse should monitor the client's blood pressure and heart rate regularly and report any abnormal findings to the healthcare provider.
Choice D reason: This is the correct instruction for the nurse to provide to the client's caregivers. The discus should not be used more than twice daily, as it can increase the risk of adverse effects and reduce the effectiveness of the medication. The discus should be used once in the morning and once in the evening, about 12 hours apart, to provide optimal control of asthma symptoms. The nurse should teach the client and the caregivers how to use the discus correctly and safely, and to follow the prescribed dosage and schedule.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Administering both prescribed medications as scheduled is not the appropriate action in this situation. The client's total calcium level is above the normal range of 9 to 10.5 mg/dL (2.25 to 2.62 mmol/L), indicating hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia is a serious condition that can cause nausea, vomiting, constipation, confusion, kidney stones, and cardiac arrhythmias. Giving more calcitriol and calcium carbonate would worsen the client's condition and increase the risk of complications.
Choice B reason: Holding the calcium carbonate, but administering the calcitriol as scheduled is not the appropriate action in this situation. Calcium carbonate is a supplement that provides extra calcium to the body. Calcitriol is a synthetic form of vitamin D that helps the body absorb calcium from the intestines and kidneys. Both medications can increase the blood calcium level and cause hypercalcemia. The nurse should not give either medication without consulting the healthcare provider.
Choice C reason: Holding both medications until contacting the healthcare provider is the best action in this situation. The nurse should recognize that the client's total calcium level is dangerously high and report it to the healthcare provider as soon as possible. The healthcare provider may order to stop or adjust the doses of calcitriol and calcium carbonate, and prescribe other treatments to lower the blood calcium level, such as intravenous fluids, diuretics, or bisphosphonates.
Choice D reason: Holding the calcitriol, but administering the calcium carbonate as scheduled is not the appropriate action in this situation. Calcium carbonate is a supplement that provides extra calcium to the body. Giving more calcium carbonate to a client with hypercalcemia would increase the blood calcium level even more and cause more harm. The nurse should not give any medication that can raise the blood calcium level without consulting the healthcare provider.
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.
