A nurse is caring for a client who has atrial fibrillation and receives digoxin daily. Before administering this medication, which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Weigh the client.

Measure the client's blood pressure.

Measure the client's apical pulse.

Offer the client a light snack.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Weighing the client is not a necessary action before administering digoxin, as it does not affect the dosage or effectiveness of the medication. Weighing the client may be important for monitoring fluid balance and edema, but it is not related to digoxin therapy.

Choice B reason: Measuring the client's blood pressure is not a necessary action before administering digoxin, as it does not affect the dosage or effectiveness of the medication. Digoxin is not a blood pressure-lowering medication, but a cardiac glycoside that increases the contractility and efficiency of the heart. Measuring the blood pressure may be important for monitoring hypertension, but it is not related to digoxin therapy.

Choice C reason: Measuring the client's apical pulse is a necessary action before administering digoxin, as it can help determine the safety and appropriateness of the medication. Digoxin can cause bradycardia (slow heart rate) as a side effect, which can be dangerous and symptomatic. The nurse should check the apical pulse for one full minute and withhold the medication if the pulse is below 60 beats per minute or above 100 beats per minute. The nurse should also report any abnormal or irregular rhythms to the provider.

Choice D reason: Offering the client a light snack is not a necessary action before administering digoxin, as it does not affect the absorption or effectiveness of the medication. Digoxin can be taken with or without food. Offering the client a light snack may be important for maintaining nutrition and hydration, but it is not related to digoxin therapy.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Suppressing respiratory effort is the correct purpose of pancuronium. Pancuronium is a neuromuscular blocking agent that paralyzes the skeletal muscles, including the respiratory muscles. This prevents the client from breathing spontaneously and allows the mechanical ventilator to control the ventilation. Pancuronium is used to improve oxygenation and prevent barotrauma in clients with ARDS, who have severe hypoxemia and stiff lungs.

Choice B reason: Decreasing chest wall compliance is not the correct purpose of pancuronium. Chest wall compliance is the measure of how easily the chest wall expands during inspiration. Decreasing chest wall compliance means increasing the resistance to lung expansion, which can worsen the ventilation and oxygenation in clients with ARDS. Pancuronium does not affect the chest wall compliance, but rather the muscle tone.

Choice C reason: Decreasing respiratory secretions is not the correct purpose of pancuronium. Respiratory secretions are the mucus and fluid that are produced by the respiratory tract to moisten and protect the airways. Decreasing respiratory secretions can cause dryness and irritation of the mucous membranes, which can increase the risk of infection and inflammation. Pancuronium does not affect the respiratory secretions, but rather the nerve impulses.

Choice D reason: Inducing sedation is not the correct purpose of pancuronium. Sedation is a state of reduced consciousness, awareness, or responsiveness. Inducing sedation can help to reduce anxiety, pain, and agitation in clients who are mechanically ventilated. Pancuronium does not induce sedation, but rather paralysis. Pancuronium does not affect the central nervous system, but rather the peripheral nervous system. The nurse should administer a sedative agent, such as propofol or midazolam, along with pancuronium to ensure the client's comfort and safety.

A. Prevents dysrhythmias B. Relieves pain C. Dissolves blood clots D. Slows intestinal motility

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Lidocaine is an antiarrhythmic medication that stabilizes the cardiac membrane and suppresses abnormal electrical impulses in the heart. It is used to treat ventricular dysrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, which can occur after a cardiac arrest.

Choice B reason: Lidocaine is not primarily used to relieve pain, although it has local anesthetic properties. It is not effective for chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia or infarction.

Choice C reason: Lidocaine does not dissolve blood clots, nor does it prevent their formation. It has no anticoagulant or thrombolytic effects.

Choice D reason: Lidocaine does not slow intestinal motility, nor does it affect the gastrointestinal system. It has no antispasmodic or antidiarrheal effects.

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A nurse is caring for a client who has atrial fibrillation and receives digoxin daily. Before administering this medication, which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and requires mechanical ventilation. The client receives a prescription for pancuronium. The nurse recognizes that this medication is for which of the following purposes?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse in a coronary care unit is admitting a client who has had CPR following a cardiac arrest. The client is receiving lidocaine IV at 2 mg/min. When the client asks the nurse why he is receiving that medication, the nurse should explain that it has which of the following actions?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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