A patient is given a drug for the first time and develops shortness of breath. The patient’s heart rate is 76 beats per minute, the respiratory rate is 20 breaths per minute, and the blood pressure is 120/70 mm Hg. The nurse checks a drug administration manual to make sure the correct dose was given and learns that some patients taking the drug experience shortness of breath. The nurse will contact the provider to report what?
An idiosyncratic effect
A teratogenic effect
A side effect
This symptom is not related to the medication administration.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A Reason:
An idiosyncratic effect is an unusual or unexpected reaction to a drug that is not related to the dose and is not a common side effect. These reactions are often due to genetic differences in metabolism or immune response. In this case, shortness of breath is a known reaction for some patients taking the drug, so it is not considered idiosyncratic.
Choice B Reason:
A teratogenic effect refers to a drug’s potential to cause developmental abnormalities in a fetus when taken by a pregnant woman. Since the patient is experiencing shortness of breath, which is a known reaction to the drug, this choice is not relevant to the situation.
Choice C Reason:
This is the correct answer. A side effect is a secondary, typically undesirable effect of a drug or medical treatment. Since the nurse found that shortness of breath is a known reaction for some patients taking the drug, it is classified as a side effect. The nurse should report this to the provider to ensure proper management and monitoring.
Choice D Reason:
The symptom of shortness of breath is related to the medication administration, as confirmed by the drug administration manual. Therefore, this choice is incorrect. The nurse must report the side effect to the provider for appropriate action.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Fat necrosis occurs when fatty tissues are damaged, leading to the release of enzymes that break down fat cells. This type of necrosis is commonly seen in the pancreas and breast tissue, often due to trauma or pancreatitis. It is not typically associated with brain tissue.
Choice B Reason:
Coagulative necrosis is characterized by the preservation of the basic outline of the coagulated cells for a few days after cell death. This type of necrosis is usually seen in tissues affected by ischemia, such as the heart, kidneys, and adrenal glands. However, it is not the typical pattern of necrosis seen in brain tissue.
Choice C Reason:
Caseous necrosis is a form of cell death in which the tissue maintains a cheese-like appearance. It is most commonly associated with tuberculosis infections in the lungs. This type of necrosis is not typically seen in brain tissue.
Choice D Reason:
Liquefactive necrosis is the correct answer. This type of necrosis occurs when the tissue becomes soft and liquefied, often forming a pus-filled cavity. It is commonly seen in the brain due to ischemic injury or bacterial infections. The high lipid content and low structural support in brain tissue make it particularly susceptible to liquefactive necrosis.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Increased neuromuscular excitability is not typically associated with respiratory acidosis. Instead, respiratory acidosis can lead to symptoms such as confusion, fatigue, and shortness of breath due to the buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. Neuromuscular excitability is more commonly associated with conditions like hypocalcemia.
Choice B Reason:
This is the correct answer. Respiratory acidosis occurs when the lungs cannot remove enough carbon dioxide (CO2) from the body, leading to an accumulation of CO2 in the blood. This increase in CO2 results in the formation of carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of the blood. The elevated levels of carbonic acid are a hallmark of respiratory acidosis.
Choice C Reason:
Increased pH is not associated with respiratory acidosis. In fact, respiratory acidosis is characterized by a decrease in blood pH due to the accumulation of carbon dioxide and the subsequent increase in carbonic acid. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice D Reason:
Hypokalemia, or low potassium levels, is not typically associated with respiratory acidosis. Instead, respiratory acidosis can sometimes lead to hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) due to the shift of potassium out of cells in response to the acidotic state. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

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