A female client with osteoporosis has been taking a weekly dose of oral risedronate for several weeks. The client calls the clinic nurse to report increasing “heartburn.” How should the nurse respond?
Ask the client to describe how she takes the medication.
Suggest use of an antacid two hours after the medication.
Remind the client to take the medication with plenty of water.
Advise the client to go to the nearest emergency department.
The Correct Answer is A
A) Asking the client to describe how she takes the medication is the most appropriate initial response by the nurse. “Heartburn” reported after taking risedronate raises concerns about potential esophageal irritation or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) exacerbation. Understanding the client’s administration technique (e.g., whether she takes the medication with a full glass of water and remains upright for at least 30 minutes afterward) can help identify potential causes of the reported symptoms.
B) While suggesting the use of an antacid two hours after the medication may provide symptomatic relief, it does not address the underlying issue of potential esophageal irritation or GERD exacerbation related to risedronate administration. Moreover, if the client’s symptoms are due to esophageal irritation, using an antacid may mask the symptoms without addressing the cause.
C) Reminding the client to take the medication with plenty of water is a standard recommendation for bisphosphonate administration to minimize the risk of esophageal irritation and ensure proper drug absorption. However, since the client is already experiencing “heartburn,” further assessment of the client’s medication administration technique is warranted before providing this reminder.
D) Advising the client to go to the nearest emergency department is not appropriate at this stage, as the reported symptom of “heartburn” does not suggest an immediate life-threatening emergency. However, if the client experiences severe chest pain, difficulty swallowing, or signs of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing), emergency medical attention would be necessary.
Therefore, the nurse should first assess the client’s medication administration technique to determine if improper administration may be contributing to the reported symptoms. Based on this assessment, appropriate interventions can be provided to address potential esophageal irritation or GERD exacerbation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["100"]
Explanation
Since the client weighs 90 kg, let’s first convert their weight to pounds to determine the appropriate cefazolin dosage:
Conversion factor: 1 kg = 2.205 pounds
Client weight (pounds) = 90 kg x 2.205 pounds/kg = 198.45 pounds (rounded to two decimals)
Now, comparing the client’s weight (198.45 pounds) to the weight threshold (265.5 pounds):
Client weight is less than the threshold (198.45 pounds < 265.5 pounds).
Therefore, the appropriate dosage is:
Cefazolin 2 grams/100 mL 0.9% normal saline over 1 hour.
The pump rate is determined by the total volume of the IV fluid and the infusion time.
We are not given the specific bag size, but typically these come in 100 mL or 500 mL volumes.
Assuming a 100 mL bag (which aligns with the concentration provided):
Total volume of IV bag: 100 mL
Infusion time: 1 hour
Calculation:
Pump rate (mL/hr) = Total volume (mL) / Infusion time (hr)
Pump rate (mL/hr) = 100 mL / 1 hour = 100 mL/hr
Therefore, the nurse should program the pump to deliver 100 mL/hr.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is not a typical adverse effect of gentamicin. Gentamicin is primarily associated with nephrotoxicity (kidney damage), which would manifest as an increased BUN and serum creatinine rather than a decrease.
B) Hearing loss is a well-known adverse effect of gentamicin, particularly when the drug reaches high concentrations in the inner ear (ototoxicity). Gentamicin can cause irreversible damage to the cochlear and vestibular organs, leading to sensorineural hearing loss and balance disturbances.
C) Reports of photophobia are not typically associated with gentamicin. Photophobia (sensitivity to light) may occur with certain eye conditions or central nervous system disorders but is not a direct adverse effect of gentamicin.
D) A white blood cell count of 6,000/mm3 falls within the normal reference range, so it does not indicate an adverse effect of gentamicin. Gentamicin is not known to directly affect white blood cell count.
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