A nurse is preparing to administer vancomycin IV to an adult client. The client asks the nurse if the medication can be given 2 hr earlier. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
“I can adjust the time and schedule for when it’s convenient for you.”.
“I can start the medication 30 minutes earlier.”.
“I have up to 2 hours after the usual schedule time to give you this medication.”.
“I can infuse the medication at a faster rate.”.
None
None
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale: Adjusting medication times based solely on convenience violates the prescribed dosing interval, which is essential for maintaining therapeutic drug levels and preventing antibiotic resistance or toxicity.
Choice B rationale: Facility policies typically allow a "grace period" for non-time-critical medications, usually 30 to 60 minutes before or after the scheduled time, to ensure safe and timely administration.
Choice C rationale: Administering a medication 2 hours late significantly deviates from the prescribed schedule, potentially causing the drug's plasma concentration to fall below the minimum effective level required for treatment.
Choice D rationale: Increasing the infusion rate of vancomycin is dangerous and can cause "Red Man Syndrome," a hypersensitivity reaction characterized by flushing, rash, and hypotension due to rapid histamine release.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Dizziness is a manifestation of hypovolemia, which is a decrease in blood volume due to fluid loss. Hypovolemia can cause orthostatic hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure when changing positions. This can lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
Choice A is wrong because it is not a sign of hypovolemia, but rather a possible cause of it. Epistaxis is a nosebleed that can result from trauma, infection, dryness, or coagulation disorders.
Choice B is wrong because it is not a specific sign of hypovolemia, but rather a nonspecific symptom that can have many causes. Headache can be associated with dehydration, but it can also be caused by stress, infection, inflammation, or other factors.
Choice D is wrong because it is not a sign of hypovolemia, but rather a sign of fluid volume excess.
Fluid volume excess is an increase in blood volume due to fluid retention or overload. Fluid volume excess can cause dyspnea, which is difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are 90/60 mm Hg to 120/80 mm Hg for adults. Normal ranges for heart rate are 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Administer sublingual nitroglycerin.
Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that can relieve chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia. The nurse should administer it as soon as possible to improve blood flow to the heart and reduce the risk of myocardial infarction. The nurse should also monitor the client’s blood pressure and heart rate after giving nitroglycerin, as it can cause hypotension and reflex tachycardia.
Choice A is wrong because checking a STAT cardiac troponin is not the first priority.
Cardiac troponin is a biomarker that indicates myocardial injury, but it may not rise until several hours after the onset of chest pain.
Therefore, it is not useful for immediate diagnosis or treatment of acute coronary syndrome. Choice B is wrong because requesting a prescription for a beta-blocker is not the first priority.
Beta-blockers are medications that can lower blood pressure and heart rate, and reduce the oxygen demand of the heart.
They can prevent or reduce the recurrence of chest pain and complications of acute coronary syndrome, but they are not indicated for immediate relief of chest pain.
Choice D is wrong because administering oxygen is not the first priority.
Oxygen therapy can increase the oxygen supply to the heart and reduce ischemia, but it is not necessary for all clients with chest pain.
Oxygen therapy should be based on the client’s oxygen saturation level and clinical condition.
If the client’s oxygen saturation is normal or high, oxygen therapy may not be beneficial and may even be harmful.
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