A nurse is caring for a client who is taking pseudoephedrine orally to treat allergic rhinitis.
The nurse should assess for which of the following potential adverse effects of this medication?
Polyuria.
Increased appetite.
Bradycardia.
Hypertension.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic agent that primarily acts as a vasoconstrictor and bronchodilator. It does not directly affect kidney function to cause polyuria. In fact, due to its vasoconstrictive properties, it could theoretically decrease renal blood flow, although this is not a common or expected adverse effect leading to increased urine output.
Choice B rationale
Pseudoephedrine's primary mechanism of action involves stimulating alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors. It does not have a known effect on appetite regulation; it is not typically associated with either increased or decreased appetite. Therefore, an increased appetite is not an expected adverse effect of this medication.
Choice C rationale
Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic drug that stimulates adrenergic receptors, leading to effects similar to sympathetic nervous system activation. This stimulation typically results in tachycardia, not bradycardia. It increases heart rate and contractility, which can be problematic for individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.
Choice D rationale
As a sympathomimetic, pseudoephedrine causes vasoconstriction by stimulating alpha-1 adrenergic receptors in the arterioles. This widespread vasoconstriction leads to an increase in peripheral vascular resistance, which in turn can elevate blood pressure. Therefore, hypertension is a common and important adverse effect to monitor for, especially in individuals with pre-existing hypertension.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Persistent coughing with mucopurulent sputum suggests an ongoing respiratory infection or inflammation. Mucopurulent sputum indicates the presence of neutrophils and bacteria, often seen in bacterial pneumonia or tuberculosis. While significant, coughing alone is not an immediate life-threatening finding but rather a symptom requiring monitoring and further diagnostic follow-up to confirm the cause.
Choice B rationale: Joint pain in a patient receiving infliximab for rheumatoid arthritis may reflect an autoimmune flare or side effects of immunosuppression. Although uncomfortable and significant for quality of life, joint pain does not usually require immediate intervention compared to respiratory or infectious signs that may threaten life or transmission risk.
Choice C rationale: Anorexia, or decreased appetite, is a common systemic symptom in chronic infections like tuberculosis. It reflects the body’s inflammatory response and catabolic state but is a nonspecific finding. It requires addressing nutritional support but is not immediately life-threatening or requiring urgent intervention compared to active infectious disease signs.
Choice D rationale: Night sweats are a classic systemic symptom of tuberculosis caused by cytokine-mediated thermoregulatory dysfunction during infection. Although important in clinical suspicion, night sweats themselves do not necessitate immediate intervention but support the need for further diagnostic workup and infection control precautions.
Choice E rationale: An 11 mm induration on the purified protein derivative (PPD) test is considered positive in this patient due to immunosuppression with infliximab, which increases TB risk. The normal cutoff varies by risk factors, but 5 mm or greater is positive in immunosuppressed patients. This finding requires urgent follow-up to initiate treatment and prevent active disease and transmission, making it the most critical.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Magnesium levels within the normal range (1.3 to 2.1 mEq/L) are important for overall electrolyte balance, but sodium polystyrene sulfonate specifically targets potassium. While hyperkalemia can sometimes be associated with other electrolyte imbalances, a normal magnesium level does not directly indicate a therapeutic response to sodium polystyrene sulfonate, as its primary action is not on magnesium.
Choice B rationale
Calcium levels within the normal range (9 to 10.5 mg/dL) are essential for various physiological functions. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate primarily exchanges sodium ions for potassium ions, not calcium. Therefore, a normal calcium level does not reflect a therapeutic response to the medication, which is specifically aimed at reducing elevated potassium levels.
Choice C rationale
Sodium levels within the normal range (136 to 145 mEq/L) are crucial for fluid balance and neurological function. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate exchanges sodium for potassium, meaning it increases the body's sodium load. While a normal sodium level is desirable, it does not directly indicate the therapeutic efficacy of the medication in reducing potassium.
Choice D rationale
Potassium 4.8 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mEq/L) indicates a therapeutic response. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is an ion-exchange resin used to treat hyperkalemia by exchanging potassium ions for sodium ions in the gastrointestinal tract. A potassium level returning to within the normal range, from a previously elevated state, signifies that the medication has effectively lowered the excess potassium.
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
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.