A nurse is reinforcing teaching about receiving epinephrine as an emergency intervention for anaphylaxis. Which of the following information should the nurse reinforce with the client?
Epinephrine relaxes the bronchioles and counteracts the effect of histamine
Epinephrine should be given along with a beta blocker.
Epinephrine should be administered intranasally
Epinephrine causes a decrease in blood pressure
The Correct Answer is A
A. Epinephrine relaxes the bronchioles and counteracts the effect of histamine: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis because it rapidly relaxes bronchial smooth muscles, reducing airway constriction, and counteracts histamine's effects, which include vasodilation, edema, and hypotension. This helps restore breathing and circulation.
B. Epinephrine should be given along with a beta blocker: Administering epinephrine with a beta blocker is dangerous because beta blockers can reduce the effectiveness of epinephrine and may worsen bronchospasm. Beta blockers are not recommended during acute management of anaphylaxis.
C. Epinephrine should be administered intranasally: Epinephrine is typically administered intramuscularly (IM), usually into the thigh, during anaphylactic emergencies for rapid absorption. Intranasal administration is not effective for treating life-threatening systemic allergic reactions.
D. Epinephrine causes a decrease in blood pressure: Epinephrine actually increases blood pressure by causing vasoconstriction. This counters the dangerous hypotension that occurs during anaphylaxis, helping to stabilize cardiovascular function quickly.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Hypertension: Clients experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) are more likely to present with hypotension rather than hypertension due to dehydration caused by osmotic diuresis. Volume depletion significantly lowers blood pressure rather than raising it in the setting of DKA.
B. Fruity breath odor: A fruity or acetone-like breath odor is a hallmark sign of DKA. It results from the accumulation of ketones, particularly acetone, in the blood, which the body attempts to eliminate through the lungs, giving the breath its characteristic sweet or fruity smell.
C. Protruding eyeballs: Protruding eyeballs, or exophthalmos, are associated with hyperthyroidism, particularly Graves' disease, not with diabetic ketoacidosis. DKA affects metabolic and acid-base balance but does not cause changes to eye appearance or positioning.
D. Decreased urinary output: In the early stages of DKA, clients usually experience increased urinary output (polyuria) due to osmotic diuresis from hyperglycemia. Decreased output may occur only in the later stages when severe dehydration and kidney compromise develop, but it is not an early expected finding.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Triiodothyronine: Triiodothyronine (T3) measures thyroid function and is not related to anticoagulation therapy. It is important for evaluating thyroid disorders but has no role in monitoring the effects of warfarin.
B. Arterial blood gases: Arterial blood gases (ABGs) assess oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base balance, not anticoagulation status. ABGs are not used to monitor warfarin therapy.
C. Serum potassium: Serum potassium levels are crucial for cardiac and muscle function but are not affected directly by warfarin use. Potassium monitoring is more critical with diuretics or certain cardiac medications, not anticoagulants like warfarin.
D. Prothrombin time: Prothrombin time (PT) measures how long it takes blood to clot and is directly affected by warfarin therapy. Monitoring PT (and the related INR) ensures that the warfarin dose maintains therapeutic anticoagulation without causing excessive bleeding.
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.