A nurse is assessing a client who has tuberculosis and recently began taking ethambutol. The nurse should identify which of the following findings as an adverse effect of this medication?
Blurred vision
Tinnitus
Peripheral edema
Bradycardia
The Correct Answer is A
Rationale:
A. Blurred vision: Ethambutol is known to cause optic neuritis, which can lead to blurred vision, decreased visual acuity, and impaired red-green color discrimination. Clients on ethambutol should be monitored for changes in vision and advised to report any visual disturbances immediately.
B. Tinnitus: Tinnitus is not a typical adverse effect of ethambutol. It is more commonly associated with other anti-tuberculosis drugs such as streptomycin, which can cause ototoxicity, especially affecting the auditory and vestibular systems.
C. Peripheral edema: Peripheral edema is not commonly linked to ethambutol use. It may occur with certain cardiovascular medications or conditions but is not an expected side effect of this antitubercular drug.
D. Bradycardia: Bradycardia is not a recognized adverse effect of ethambutol. This medication primarily affects the eyes rather than the cardiovascular system. Monitoring for vision changes is a higher priority when assessing for side effects.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Dependent edema: This occurs due to fluid buildup in the peripheral tissues, which is typically caused by right-sided heart failure. It reflects systemic venous congestion rather than pulmonary issues associated with left-sided failure.
B. Jugular distention: Jugular venous distention is a sign of increased central venous pressure and is more often associated with right-sided heart failure, not the pulmonary congestion seen in left-sided failure.
C. Weight gain: Weight gain from fluid retention is more indicative of right-sided heart failure, which causes systemic congestion; it is not a primary manifestation of left-sided heart failure.
D. Frothy sputum: Frothy, often pink-tinged sputum results from pulmonary edema caused by left-sided heart failure. Blood backs up into the lungs due to poor left ventricular function, leading to fluid leakage into the alveoli.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Prominent P waves: Hyperkalemia typically causes a decrease in P wave amplitude and can eventually lead to their disappearance, rather than making them more prominent. Prominent P waves are not characteristic of elevated potassium levels.
B. Narrowed QRS complexes: Hyperkalemia often leads to a widening, not narrowing, of the QRS complex as potassium levels rise. A narrowed QRS complex is not a hallmark finding in clients with elevated potassium.
C. Shortened PR intervals: Hyperkalemia is more commonly associated with prolonged PR intervals. A shortened PR interval is not typically seen in potassium imbalance and would be more relevant in other conduction abnormalities.
D. Peaked T waves: Tall, peaked T waves are the classic early ECG finding in hyperkalemia. They result from increased potassium altering myocardial repolarization and are often the first electrocardiographic sign of elevated serum potassium.
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