A female patient who follows a vegetarian diet has recently been prescribed warfarin. She mentions that she consumes leafy green vegetables daily.
What should be the nurse’s response?
Praise the patient for her healthy lifestyle and encourage her to maintain her current dietary habits.
Assure the patient that her dietary choices will enhance the effectiveness of the medication in preventing blood clots.
Inform the patient that her healthcare provider needs to be informed about her current diet.
Recommend that the patient substitutes the leafy vegetables with a protein source like nuts or beans.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
While maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet is generally beneficial, consuming large amounts of leafy green vegetables, which are high in vitamin K, can interfere with the effectiveness of warfarin, a medication that works by inhibiting the action of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. Therefore, praising the patient for her healthy lifestyle without addressing the potential interaction between her diet and medication could lead to suboptimal treatment outcomes.
Choice B rationale
This statement is misleading. While a healthy diet can contribute to overall health and well- being, the patient’s dietary choices, specifically her daily consumption of leafy green
vegetables, could actually decrease the effectiveness of warfarin. Warfarin’s ability to prevent blood clots is dependent on a consistent intake of vitamin K67.
Choice C rationale
This is the most appropriate response. The healthcare provider should be informed about the patient’s current diet because it could impact the effectiveness of warfarin. The provider may need to adjust the dose of warfarin or provide additional dietary guidance to ensure the medication works as intended.
Choice D rationale
While this might seem like a reasonable suggestion, it’s important to remember that dietary changes should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider or a dietitian. Substituting leafy green vegetables with other protein sources may not be necessary or appropriate depending on the patient’s overall diet, nutritional needs, and personal preferences.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Filgrastim is a medication used to stimulate the growth of white blood cells, making patients less vulnerable to infections. If the patient’s white blood cell count has increased from 2,500/mm^3 to 5,000/mm^3 after administering five doses of filgrastim, it indicates that the medication has been effective.
Choice B rationale
Reviewing the patient’s culture and sensitivity reports is not directly related to the effect of filgrastim on white blood cell count.
Choice C rationale
Neutropenic precautions are typically implemented when a patient has a low white blood cell count. Since the patient’s white blood cell count has increased, implementing neutropenic precautions may not be necessary.
Choice D rationale
While it’s always important to monitor a patient’s vital signs, there’s no specific reason to do so just because the patient’s white blood cell count has increased after administering filgrastim.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is A:
Choice A reason: Notifying the healthcare provider is crucial because the patient’s carbamazepine level is significantly above the therapeutic range, which is 4-12 mcg/mL. A level of 84 mcg/mL indicates a high risk of toxicity, and the healthcare provider must be informed to take appropriate action, which may include adjusting the dose or discontinuing the medication.
Choice B reason: Administering the carbamazepine as prescribed would not be safe without addressing the elevated drug level. Continuing to administer the medication could increase the risk of severe side effects and toxicity due to the already high serum level.
Choice C reason: Withholding the dose may be a necessary immediate action, but it does not address the need for medical intervention to manage the patient’s elevated drug level. Therefore, while withholding the dose might be part of the response, it should follow notifying the healthcare provider.
Choice D reason: Assessing the patient for side effects is important, but it is not the most immediate action required. The priority is to notify the healthcare provider because of the potential for serious toxicity given the high carbamazepine level.
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