A nurse is caring for a client who is taking phenytoin and has a seizure disorder. For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor the client?

Hypoglycemia

Gingival hyperplasia

Ringing of the ears

Elevated blood pressure

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Hypoglycemia: Phenytoin does not typically lower blood glucose levels, so hypoglycemia is not a common adverse effect. Blood glucose monitoring is not routinely required for clients on phenytoin unless they have an underlying metabolic disorder.

B. Gingival hyperplasia: Phenytoin can cause overgrowth of gum tissue, particularly with long-term use, leading to swelling, bleeding, and discomfort. Good oral hygiene and regular dental care are important to manage and prevent progression. This is a well-documented and common adverse effect of the medication.

C. Ringing of the ears: Tinnitus is more commonly associated with high doses of certain antibiotics or salicylates, not phenytoin. Although phenytoin toxicity can cause neurologic symptoms, ringing in the ears is not a primary concern for routine monitoring.

D. Elevated blood pressure: Phenytoin does not directly raise blood pressure. Blood pressure monitoring is still important for overall health, but hypertension is not an expected adverse effect of this anticonvulsant medication.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. "A medication dose must be decreased if you develop tolerance.": Tolerance means the body becomes accustomed to the medication, often requiring higher—not lower—doses to achieve relief. Reducing the dose would worsen pain and diminish comfort, which is inappropriate in terminal cancer pain management.

B. "Pain patches are applied each morning and removed at bedtime.": Transdermal pain patches, such as fentanyl, are designed to provide continuous analgesia over 48–72 hours. Removing them daily disrupts steady pain control and leads to breakthrough pain.

C. "We will use intramuscular medications to control your pain.": IM injections are painful, have unpredictable absorption, and are avoided for chronic or end-of-life pain management. More comfortable and reliable routes—oral, transdermal, or IV—are preferred to maintain consistent relief.

D. "Analgesia should be used around the clock to promote pain control.": Scheduled dosing maintains steady medication levels and prevents breakthrough pain, which is essential for terminal cancer clients. This approach supports comfort, reduces suffering, and aligns with best practices for palliative pain management.

A. Diarrhea B. Insomnia C. Vertigo D. Hypotension

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Diarrhea: Cephalexin, like other antibiotics, can disrupt normal gut flora and lead to antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Severe or persistent diarrhea may indicate a more serious condition, such as Clostridioides difficile infection, which requires prompt medical evaluation. Monitoring and reporting this symptom is important for preventing complications.

B. Insomnia: Insomnia is not a common adverse effect of cephalexin. While some medications can cause sleep disturbances, cephalexin’s side-effect profile primarily involves gastrointestinal and hypersensitivity reactions rather than central nervous system effects.

C. Vertigo: Vertigo is not typically associated with cephalexin therapy. Neurological symptoms are rare and usually linked to other drug classes or preexisting conditions. Persistent dizziness would require evaluation, but it is not expected with standard cephalexin use.

D. Hypotension: Cephalexin does not normally cause hypotension. Blood pressure changes are uncommon unless a severe allergic reaction occurs, which would present with multiple systemic symptoms, such as rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is caring for a client who is taking phenytoin and has a seizure disorder. For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor the client?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse in along-term care facility is reinforcing teaching about pain control with a client who has terminal cancer. Which of the following information should the nurse include?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for cephalexin to treat a urinary tract infection. For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct the client to monitor and report to the provider?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a group of older adult clients about preventing hypothermia in the winter. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is reinforcing teaching about lowering fat and cholesterol in the diet with a client who has atherosclerosis. Which of the following responses by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is to take a fecal occult blood test at home. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has had severe diarrhea for the past 3 days and is now beginning solid foods. Which of the following foods should the nurse include in the plan of care?

A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report about the care of four clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse see first?

A nurse is caring for a group of clients on a surgical unit. Which of the following images should the nurse identify as evisceration?

A nurse is preparing to administer warfarin to a client who has chronic atrial fibrillation. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor prior to administering the medication?

A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who has the hepatitis A virus. Which of the following modes of transmission should the nurse identify as how the client acquired the virus?