A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a new prescription for verapamil. Which of the following findings in the client's medical record should the nurse identify as a contraindication for the administration of verapamil?
History of asthma
History of heart failure
Systolic BP 110 mm Hg
Blood creatinine 1.0 mg/dl
The Correct Answer is B
A. History of asthma: Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker and does not affect the airways or cause bronchospasm, unlike beta-blockers, which can exacerbate asthma.
B. History of heart failure: Verapamil has negative inotropic effects, meaning it decreases the strength of heart contractions. This can exacerbate heart failure, particularly in clients with reduced ejection fraction (systolic heart failure). It is generally contraindicated in clients with severe heart failure as it can worsen symptoms.
C. Systolic BP 110 mm Hg: While verapamil can cause a drop in blood pressure due to its vasodilatory effects, a systolic blood pressure of 110 mm Hg is not an absolute contraindication.
D. A blood creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL is within the normal range (approximately 0.6–1.2 mg/dL for adults). Verapamil is not contraindicated in clients with normal renal function.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A nurse who is caring for a preschooler should question a prescription for tetracycline. Tetracycline is contraindicated in children under 8 years of age due to its potential to cause permanent discoloration and damage to developing teeth and bones. This adverse effect is known as tooth staining or dental hypoplasia.
Let's go through the other options:
A. Azithromycin: Azithromycin is an appropriate antibiotic for use in preschool-age children and is commonly prescribed for various bacterial infections. It does not pose the same risk of tooth staining as tetracycline, making it a safe option for this age group.
C. Cefuroxime: Cefuroxime is another antibiotic that is safe for use in preschoolers. It belongs to the cephalosporin class of antibiotics and is commonly prescribed for respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and other bacterial infections.
D. Gentamicin: While gentamicin is an effective antibiotic, its use in preschool-age children should be carefully monitored. Gentamicin can have potential ototoxic and nephrotoxic effects (damage to the inner ear and kidneys, respectively). However, its use is not strictly contraindicated in this age group, and it can be prescribed when necessary with appropriate monitoring.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The nurse should report a creatinine level of 2 mg/dl to the provider as a potential adverse effect of captopril. Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor commonly used to treat congestive heart failure and hypertension. One of the side effects of ACE inhibitors, including captopril, is the potential to cause kidney problems, leading to an increase in serum creatinine levels.
An increase in serum creatinine may indicate impaired kidney function, and it is essential to monitor kidney function regularly in clients taking ACE inhibitors. Elevated creatinine levels can suggest reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and impaired kidney function, which may require adjustments in medication dosage or further evaluation and management.
Let's go through the other options:
A. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) 4.000/ mm^3: An absolute neutrophil count of 4.000/ mm^3 is within the normal range, so it is not an adverse effect of captopril that requires immediate reporting.
B. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) 90 ng/L: A brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level of 90 ng/L is used to assess heart failure severity. While BNP levels can be helpful in managing congestive heart failure, a BNP level of 90 ng/L is not an adverse effect of captopril that requires immediate reporting.
C. Sodium 140 mEq/l: A sodium level of 140 mEq/L is within the normal range, so it is not an adverse effect of captopril that requires immediate reporting.
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