A female client is taking alendronate, a bisphosphonate, for postmenopausal osteoporosis. The client tells the nurse that she is experiencing jaw pain. How should the nurse respond?
Determine how the client is administering the medication.
Advise the client to gargle with warm salt water twice daily.
Report the client's jaw pain to the healthcare provider.
Confirm that this is a common symptom of osteoporosis.
The Correct Answer is C
Jaw pain in a client taking alendronate, a bisphosphonate, for postmenopausal osteoporosis may be a sign of a rare but serious side effect called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Therefore, the nurse should respond by: Report the client's jaw pain to the healthcare provider.
Jaw pain can be an indication of ONJ, a condition characterized by the death of jawbone tissue. It is important to notify the healthcare provider so that further evaluation and appropriate management can be initiated. The healthcare provider will determine the best course of action, which may include referral to a specialist for further assessment and treatment.
Determining how the client is administering the medication is not the immediate concern in this situation. While it is important to ensure that the client is following proper administration instructions for alendronate, addressing the jaw pain takes precedence.
Advising the client to gargle with warm salt water twice daily may not be sufficient or appropriate for managing jaw pain related to alendronate use. The client needs a comprehensive assessment by the healthcare provider to determine the cause of the jaw pain and provide appropriate interventions.
Confirming that jaw pain is a common symptom of osteoporosis is not accurate. While osteoporosis can lead to bone pain, jaw pain specifically associated with bisphosphonate use is more likely to be related to ONJ and requires further evaluation and management
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Incorrect- Clarify reality with the client about delusional thoughts: Attempting to correct the client's delusional thoughts might cause frustration and agitation. Clients with Alzheimer's disease may have difficulty comprehending and retaining reality-based information.
B) Incorrect- Reduce the client's interaction with others during the day: Social interaction is important for clients with Alzheimer's disease to maintain engagement and prevent feelings of isolation. Reducing interaction could worsen their emotional well-being.
C) Correct- Clients with Alzheimer's disease often experience cognitive impairments and may have delusional thoughts or confusion, such as believing deceased loved ones are still alive. Nonpharmacological interventions are crucial to provide comfort and manage challenging behaviors. Distraction techniques involve redirecting the client's attention away from the delusion and onto a different, engaging activity. This can help decrease distress and anxiety related to their delusional thoughts. Therapeutic communication skills, such as validating the client's feelings and emotions, can also be beneficial. Simply telling the client that their mother is deceased may cause distress and confusion. Instead, providing comfort, empathizing with their emotions, and redirecting their focus can be more effective in managing the situation.
D) Incorrect- Awaken the client for reality checks every 4 hours at night: Disrupting the client's sleep schedule could lead to increased confusion and restlessness. It's important to provide a calm and consistent sleep routine for individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The presenting symptoms of the infant, including persistent vomiting, poor skin turgor, significant weight loss, and a palpable abdominal mass, indicate a potential serious condition that requires immediate attention. These findings may suggest dehydration, malnutrition, and the presence of an abdominal mass that could be causing gastrointestinal obstruction or other underlying pathology.
Initiating a prescribed IV for parenteral fluid is the priority intervention to address the potential dehydration and fluid imbalance in the infant. This will help restore and maintain adequate hydration while further diagnostic evaluations and interventions are initiated.
Feeding the infant, giving 5% dextrose in water orally, or inserting a nasogastric tube for feeding should not be implemented as the first intervention in this case. It is important to stabilize the infant's fluid status before initiating oral feedings or other interventions to address the underlying cause of the symptoms.
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