A nurse is caring for a client who has hypertension and has been taking hydrochlorothiazide. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse evaluate?
Serum electrolyte levels
Thyroid levels
Coagulation studies
Complete blood count
The Correct Answer is A
A. Hydrochlorothiazide can cause electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalemia (low potassium levels), hyponatremia (low sodium levels), and hypomagnesemia (low magnesium levels). Monitoring serum electrolyte levels, including potassium, sodium, and magnesium, is essential to detect and manage any abnormalities that may occur as a result of hydrochlorothiazide therapy.
B. Thyroid levels are not typically affected by hydrochlorothiazide therapy. Therefore, monitoring thyroid levels is not necessary in clients taking hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension.
C. Hydrochlorothiazide is not known to affect coagulation studies such as prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), or international normalized ratio (INR).
D. Hydrochlorothiazide is not typically associated with significant hematologic effects that would necessitate routine monitoring of the complete blood count. Therefore, monitoring CBC is not routinely indicated for clients taking hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. When administering a TST, the nurse should select an injection site that is free of scar tissue and areas with excessive hair, veins, or visible lesions. The preferred site for TST administration is the volar aspect of the forearm, approximately 2-4 inches below the elbow.
B. After administering the TST, the nurse should not massage or manipulate the injection site. Massaging the site can cause irritation or spread the solution, leading to inaccurate results.
C. he TST is administered intradermally, typically with a 27-gauge needle. The needle should be inserted with the bevel facing upward at a 5-15-degree angle.
D. The standard dose of tuberculin solution (e.g., purified protein derivative, PPD) for a TST is 0.1 mL containing 5 tuberculin units (TU).
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. Weight gain can indicate that methimazole is effectively managing the thyroid imbalance. Methimazole is commonly used to treat hyperthyroidism by inhibiting the production of thyroid hormones. Weight gain may occur as a result of restoring thyroid hormone levels to normal, which can lead to a decrease in metabolism and an improvement in symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism, such as unintended weight loss.
A. Increased libido is not typically associated with the effectiveness of methimazole in treating thyroid imbalance. Thyroid dysfunction, whether hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, can affect libido, but improvement in libido would not specifically indicate the effectiveness of methimazole.
C. Decreased menstrual flow is not a typical indicator of the effectiveness of methimazole in treating thyroid imbalance. Thyroid dysfunction can affect menstrual cycles, with hyperthyroidism often associated with lighter or irregular menstrual periods. However, improvement in menstrual flow alone would not necessarily indicate the effectiveness of methimazole.
D. Clear breath sounds are not specific to the effectiveness of methimazole in treating thyroid imbalance. While methimazole can help manage symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as palpitations and shortness of breath, clear breath sounds do not directly indicate thyroid function improvement.
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