A male client reports to the nurse that he is experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) distress from a high dose of a corticosteroid and is planning to stop taking the medication. In response to the client's statement, which nursing action is most important for the nurse to Implement?

Assess the client for other indications of adverse effects of corticosteroid use.

Advise the client that the medication should be stopped gradually rather than abruptly.

Encourage the client to take the medication with food to decrease Gl distress.

Review the client's dosing schedule to ensure he is taking the prescribed amount.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Assess the client for other indications of adverse effects of corticosteroid use: While important, this action does not address the immediate issue of stopping the medication safely.
B. Advise the client that the medication should be stopped gradually rather than abruptly: Corticosteroids should not be stopped suddenly due to the risk of adrenal insufficiency and withdrawal symptoms. Gradual tapering is necessary to safely discontinue the medication.
C. Encourage the client to take the medication with food to decrease GI distress: This can help manage GI symptoms but does not address the issue of safely discontinuing the medication.
D. Review the client's dosing schedule to ensure he is taking the prescribed amount: This is useful but does not resolve the problem of safely stopping the medication.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Phosphate: Calcium acetate is used primarily to manage hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It works by binding to dietary phosphate in the gut, preventing its absorption, which helps lower phosphate levels in the blood. A decrease in phosphate levels indicates that the calcium acetate is effectively controlling phosphate levels.
B. pH: While maintaining normal pH levels is important in CKD, calcium acetate does not directly affect blood pH. The primary role of calcium acetate is to manage phosphate levels rather than pH balance.
C. Calcium: Calcium acetate is a phosphate binder and does not primarily target calcium levels. It can influence calcium levels indirectly, but a decrease in calcium is not the direct measure of the medication's effectiveness. Instead, monitoring phosphate levels is more indicative of the medication’s effectiveness.
D. Potassium: Calcium acetate does not have a direct effect on potassium levels. It is specifically used to manage phosphate levels in CKD patients. Changes in potassium levels would not indicate the effectiveness of calcium acetate.

A. Frequently assess the patient's blood pressure. B. Observe the client for signs of gastric irritation. C. Monitor electrocardiogram (ECG) continuously. D. Assess for changes in level of consciousness.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Frequently assess the client’s blood pressure: While monitoring blood pressure is important, it is not as critical as monitoring the ECG in cases of diltiazem overdose. Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that can lead to significant cardiac effects.
B. Observe the client for signs of gastric irritation: This is relevant for some medications, but in the case of diltiazem overdose, the primary concern is the potential for severe cardiac effects rather than gastric irritation.
C. Monitor electrocardiogram (ECG) continuously: Diltiazem overdose can lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias, such as bradycardia, AV block, or other conduction disturbances. Continuous ECG monitoring is crucial to detect these potentially life-threatening complications.
D. Assess for changes in level of consciousness: While important, changes in level of consciousness are secondary to the immediate need to monitor cardiac function closely in the context of diltiazem overdose.

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A male client reports to the nurse that he is experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) distress from a high dose of a corticosteroid and is planning to stop taking the medication. In response to the client's statement, which nursing action is most important for the nurse to Implement?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is receiving calcium acetate 667 mg PO. A decrease in which blood value indicates to the nurse that the medication is having the desired effect?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A male client with dementia is admitted to the emergency department (ED) because he accidentally self-administered several doses of diltiazem. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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