A nurse is preparing to administer ampicillin 500 mg IM every 6 hr. Available is ampicillin 500 mg vial. The package insert instructs adding 1.8 mL of sterile water to yield ampicillin 250 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
(Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Choice A reason: This choice is correct because blood glucose is the priority assessment for a client with a prescription for glipizide who is confused, diaphoretic, and tachycardic. Glipizide is a medicine that lowers blood sugar levels in the body. It can cause side effects such as anxiety, diarrhea, nausea, and low blood sugar. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause confusion, sweating, fast heart rate, dizziness, hunger, and seizures. The nurse should check the client's blood glucose level and treat hypoglycemia as soon as possible.

Choice B reason: This choice is incorrect because apical heart rate is not the priority assessment for a client with a prescription for glipizide who is confused, diaphoretic, and tachycardic. Apical heart rate is the number of heartbeats per minute that can be heard at the apex of the heart. It can be affected by many factors, such as age, activity, stress, and medication. Tachycardia is a condition where the heart beats faster than normal, which can be a sign of low blood sugar, dehydration, infection, or heart problems. The nurse should check the apical heart rate after assessing and treating the blood glucose level.

Choice C reason: This choice is incorrect because INR level is not the priority assessment for a client with a prescription for glipizide who is confused, diaphoretic, and tachycardic. INR stands for international normalized ratio, which is a measure of how long it takes the blood to clot. It is used to monitor the effect of anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin, that prevent blood clots. Glipizide does not affect the INR level, and the client's symptoms are not related to bleeding or clotting. The nurse should check the INR level only if the client is taking anticoagulant drugs and has signs of bleeding or clotting.

Choice D reason: This choice is incorrect because the last bowel movement is not the priority assessment for a client with a prescription for glipizide who is confused, diaphoretic, and tachycardic. The last bowel movement is the time and nature of the client's most recent defecation. It can be affected by many factors, such as diet, fluid intake, activity, medication, and bowel habits. Glipizide can cause diarrhea or constipation, which can affect the frequency and consistency of the bowel movement. The nurse should check the last bowel movement after assessing and treating the blood glucose level.

Choice A reason: Age is a non-modifiable risk factor for hypertension because the risk of high blood pressure increases as we get older. This is due to changes in the heart and blood vessels, such as loss of elasticity and stiffening of the arteries, that affect the blood flow and pressure. ¹

Choice B reason: Genetics is a non-modifiable risk factor for hypertension because some people inherit genes that make them more likely to develop high blood pressure. For example, people of African and Black Caribbean descent have a higher risk of hypertension due to genetic variations that affect salt sensitivity and blood vessel function. ²

Choice C reason: Smoking is a modifiable risk factor for hypertension because it can be changed or avoided by quitting tobacco use. Smoking damages the blood vessels and increases the risk of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries that narrows them and raises blood pressure. Smoking also lowers the level of good cholesterol (HDL) and raises the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides, which are fats in the blood that contribute to plaque formation. ³

Choice D reason: Obesity is a modifiable risk factor for hypertension because it can be changed or prevented by losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight. Obesity increases the risk of high blood pressure by putting extra strain on the heart and blood vessels, as well as by causing hormonal and metabolic changes that affect blood pressure regulation. Obesity is also associated with other conditions that can raise blood pressure, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, and kidney disease. ⁴

Choice E reason: Sedentary lifestyle is a modifiable risk factor for hypertension because it can be changed or improved by increasing physical activity. Sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of high blood pressure by reducing the ability of the blood vessels to dilate and contract, as well as by increasing the risk of obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Physical activity helps to lower blood pressure by improving blood flow, strengthening the heart muscle, and lowering body weight and stress levels. .