A nurse is caring for a young adult client whose serum calcium is 8.5 mg/dL. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering to this client?
Calcium carbonate
Ibandronate
Calcitonin
Zoledronic acid
The Correct Answer is A
A. Calcium carbonate: For borderline/low serum calcium, oral calcium supplements (e.g., calcium carbonate) are commonly used to raise serum calcium and provide elemental calcium; choice depends on clinical context and provider order.
B. Ibandronate: Ibandronate is a bisphosphonate for osteoporosis (reduces bone resorption) -it does not directly treat low serum calcium and may further lower serum calcium temporarily.
C. Calcitonin: Calcitonin lowers serum calcium by inhibiting bone resorption and is used in hypercalcemia or certain bone disorders, not to raise low calcium.
D. Zoledronic acid: Zoledronic acid (a bisphosphonate) is not used to correct low serum calcium; it may transiently lower serum calcium.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. “The vaccination must be administered in two doses.”: This assumes a hepatitis C vaccine exists and has a two-dose schedule; no licensed hepatitis C vaccine exists to have any dosing schedule.
B. “Have you received the hepatitis B vaccination?”: Hepatitis B does have a vaccine (so asking about it can be useful), but it does not answer the client’s request about hepatitis C. This response redirects rather than directly addressing the client’s statement.
C. “There is no vaccination against hepatitis C.”: This directly and accurately answers the client’s statement by stating that no vaccine currently exists for hepatitis C.
D. "Why are you interested in receiving this vaccine?": Acceptable as a follow-up question (explores risk/exposure), but it does not first correct the factual misunderstanding; best practice is to answer the factual question first, then explore motivations.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Treat hyponatremia: Sodium bicarbonate is not primarily used to treat hyponatremia.
B. Treat hyperkalemia: Sodium bicarbonate can be used acutely to shift K⁺ intracellularly, but it is not the primary long-term treatment.
C. Prevent the effects of elevated potassium on the heart muscle: By shifting K⁺ into cells/raising pH it can reduce cardiac membrane excitability transiently, but this is a secondary action.
D. Manage metabolic acidosis: The primary common indication for IV sodium bicarbonate is to correct metabolic acidosis (by replacing bicarbonate and raising serum pH); it is also used in some hyperkalemia protocols as a temporizing measure.
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