A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values of a client who is taking atorvastatin. Which of the following laboratory values indicates the treatment has been effective?
BUN 15 mg/dl.
LDL 120 mg/dL
Urine specific gravity 1.020
Blood glucose 90 mg/dl
The Correct Answer is B
A. BUN 15 mg/dL:
Incorrect Explanation: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is not a specific marker for assessing the effectiveness of atorvastatin treatment.
Explanation: BUN is a measure of kidney function and the breakdown of protein in the body. It is not directly related to the cholesterol-lowering effects of atorvastatin.
B. LDL 120 mg/dL.
Explanation:
Atorvastatin is a medication used to lower cholesterol levels, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. Elevated LDL cholesterol levels are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The goal of using medications like atorvastatin is to reduce LDL cholesterol levels to a target range, as recommended by healthcare guidelines.
A lower LDL cholesterol level indicates that the treatment with atorvastatin has been effective in achieving the desired therapeutic goal of lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. Therefore, a decrease in LDL cholesterol is a positive outcome of atorvastatin therapy.
C. Urine specific gravity 1.020:
Incorrect Explanation: Urine-specific gravity is not a marker for assessing the effectiveness of atorvastatin.
Explanation: Urine-specific gravity measures the concentration of urine and is related to hydration status and kidney function. It is not used to evaluate the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering medications like atorvastatin.
D. Blood glucose 90 mg/dL:
Incorrect Explanation: A blood glucose level of 90 mg/dL is not indicative of the effectiveness of atorvastatin treatment.
Explanation: Blood glucose level measures the amount of sugar in the bloodstream and is unrelated to the cholesterol-lowering effects of atorvastatin.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Warmer skin:
Correct Answer: This is an expected effect after taking methimazole for 2 months.
Explanation: Hyperthyroidism, including Graves' disease, can lead to an overactive metabolism, which can cause the person to feel unusually warm. Methimazole helps reduce the production of thyroid hormones, which can lead to a decrease in the metabolic rate and result in the client feeling less warm.
B. Increased sleeping:
Correct Explanation: This is an expected effect after taking methimazole for 2 months.
Explanation: Hyperthyroidism can cause insomnia or difficulty sleeping due to the increased metabolic rate and heightened levels of thyroid hormones. As methimazole helps normalize thyroid hormone levels, improved sleep patterns can be observed in clients with Graves' disease.
C. Increase in pulse rate:
Incorrect Explanation: An increase in pulse rate is not the expected effect after taking methimazole for 2 months.
Explanation: Hyperthyroidism can lead to an elevated resting heart rate due to increased thyroid hormone levels stimulating the cardiovascular system. Methimazole is used to help bring thyroid hormone levels back to normal, which should lead to a reduction in the pulse rate over time.
D. Weight loss:
Correct Explanation: This is an expected effect after taking methimazole for 2 months.
Explanation: Weight loss is a common symptom of hyperthyroidism due to the increased metabolic rate. Methimazole helps lower thyroid hormone levels, which can result in a decreased metabolic rate and gradual weight stabilization.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Instruct the client to increase his fluid intake: While adequate fluid intake is generally important for various reasons, increasing fluid intake would not alter the orange-red discoloration caused by rifampin. This side effect is due to the drug's action on body fluids, not dehydration.
B. Prepare the client for dialysis: Dialysis is not indicated for the harmless orange-red discoloration caused by rifampin. Dialysis is typically used for clients with kidney failure or significant electrolyte imbalances, and it would not address this specific side effect.
C. Document this as an expected finding.
Explanation:
Rifampin, an antibiotic commonly used in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), can cause a harmless side effect known as "orange-red discoloration." This can affect bodily fluids such as urine, sweat, and tears. This is not a harmful effect and does not indicate a need for any specific intervention. Therefore, the nurse should document this as an expected finding due to the client's use of rifampin.
D. Check the client's liver function test results: The orange-red discoloration is not related to liver function, so checking liver function test results would not provide relevant information about this particular side effect.
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