A nurse is taking care of a patient that has a new prescription for labetalol (beta blocker). What adverse effect should the nurse include in the medication education?
Hypokalemia
Bleeding
Bradycardia
Seizures
The Correct Answer is C
A) Hypokalemia:
Hypokalemia (low potassium levels) is not a common adverse effect of labetalol. While some medications, such as diuretics, can lead to hypokalemia, labetalol does not typically affect potassium levels directly. Instead, labetalol's primary effects are on blood pressure and heart rate.
B) Bleeding:
Bleeding is not a typical adverse effect of labetalol. Labetalol is a beta blocker that works by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors, which lowers heart rate and blood pressure. It does not interfere with blood clotting or platelet function, so bleeding would not be a concern unless the patient is on other medications that affect coagulation (such as anticoagulants).
C) Bradycardia:
Bradycardia, or a slow heart rate, is a well-known and common adverse effect of beta blockers like labetalol. Labetalol works by blocking the beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart, which can reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure. In some individuals, this can result in bradycardia, which could lead to symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and fainting.
D) Seizures:
Seizures are not a typical adverse effect of labetalol. Although central nervous system effects like dizziness or fatigue can occur due to the blood pressure-lowering effects, seizures are not commonly associated with this medication.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Teach the use of an incentive spirometer to a postoperative client:
Teaching a patient how to use an incentive spirometer involves assessment, education, and clinical judgment. This task requires the nurse's expertise to ensure that the patient understands how to use the device correctly and to assess for any potential complications, such as inadequate lung expansion.
B) Irrigate and perform a dressing change for a client who has a pressure injury wound:
Irrigating and changing the dressing of a pressure injury involves clinical judgment, the need for sterile technique, and the assessment of the wound. These tasks should be performed by a registered nurse (RN), who can assess the condition of the wound, evaluate for signs of infection, and make decisions regarding further care.
C) Administer oral PRN pain medication to a client who has arthritis:
Administering PRN pain medication requires assessment of the patient's pain level, consideration of the medication’s effects, and clinical judgment regarding the appropriateness of the medication. This is a nursing responsibility because it involves both medication management and the evaluation of therapeutic effects.
D) Obtain a daily weight on a client who has heart failure:
Obtaining a daily weight is a task that can be safely delegated to an assistive personnel (AP). Weight is an important measurement for monitoring fluid status, especially in clients with heart failure. The AP can accurately weigh the client, ensuring that the same scale and conditions (such as time of day, after the patient has voided) are followed each time.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Holds their hands below the elbows while rinsing off soap:
This is the correct practice when performing hand hygiene. To prevent contamination, hands should be kept below the elbows while rinsing to allow the water and soap to flow downward and away from the clean hands. This helps to avoid contaminating the hands with water running down the forearms.
B) Uses hot water to wash their hands:
The temperature of the water should be warm, not hot. Hot water can irritate the skin and cause dryness, which may lead to skin breaks, a potential route for pathogen entry. Therefore, warm water is recommended for hand hygiene, as it is effective and more comfortable for the skin.
C) Turns off the faucet with their hands:
The faucet should be turned off using a paper towel or another method that avoids re-contaminating the hands after washing. Using clean hands to turn off the faucet would defeat the purpose of hand hygiene, as the faucet handle is a common area for bacterial contamination.
D) Washes their hands for 10 seconds:
The proper duration for washing hands is at least 20 seconds, not 10. This ensures that enough time is taken to properly clean all surfaces of the hands, including the palms, backs of hands, between fingers, and under fingernails. Shortening this time can lead to inadequate cleansing, leaving pathogens on the hands.
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