A male college student has presented to the campus medical clinic reporting cold symptoms that he has been experiencing for the past 2 weeks. He tells the nurse that he has been taking OTC decongestants twice daily since the onset of the cold. What teaching point should the nurse provide to this student?
"It's best to take small doses of decongestants several times daily rather than two larger doses each day."
"You can probably expect to get relief within the next few days or a week at the longest."
“Over-the-counter decongestants don't normally work; you'll likely need to get a prescription for something more effective."
"You might find yourself more congested than ever as your body compensates for your use of these drugs."
The Correct Answer is D
A. Taking smaller doses of decongestants several times a day may be appropriate for some medications but does not address the risk of rebound congestion associated with prolonged use.
B. Expecting relief within a few days may not be realistic if the cold symptoms persist for 2 weeks, indicating a potential need for further evaluation.
C. OTC decongestants can be effective, and many patients find relief from symptoms without requiring a prescription.
D. Using decongestants for an extended period can lead to rebound congestion, where nasal passages become more congested once the medication is stopped, making this a crucial point for the nurse to communicate.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Changing positions slowly is critical for older adults taking beta-adrenergic blockers and diuretics to prevent orthostatic hypotension, which can lead to lightheadedness or dizziness.
B. Reducing fluid intake is not advisable, as thiazide diuretics can lead to dehydration, and maintaining adequate fluid intake is essential for overall health and to avoid excessive urinary output.
C. Identifying and eliminating high-potassium foods is unnecessary unless there is a specific indication of hyperkalemia, particularly since thiazide diuretics do not typically cause potassium retention, and beta-blockers are not potassium-specific.
D. Expecting blood pressure to increase before it decreases is misleading; clients should see a gradual reduction in blood pressure with proper medication adherence, and any sudden increases should be reported.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Hypocalcemia is correct because esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, can lead to decreased calcium absorption, resulting in low calcium levels, which can cause muscle cramps.
B. Hyperkalemia is incorrect; while potassium levels can be affected by various medications, muscle cramps are not typically associated with high potassium levels.
C. Hypercalcemia is incorrect as it refers to elevated calcium levels, which would not cause muscle cramps and could actually lead to muscle weakness rather than cramping.
D. Hyponatremia is incorrect; low sodium levels may cause other symptoms but are not specifically linked to muscle cramps in the same way as low calcium levels are.
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