A patient is prescribed a retinoid medication.
Which statement would the nurse provide when teaching the patient about this drug?
"Discoloration of the teeth is very common with this class of medications.”.
"You need to have lab work done monthly to ensure the proper dose of this medication.”.
"The medication works well for treatment of cancerous lesions.”.
"Avoid sun exposure and use measures to prevent pregnancy.”.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Discoloration of the teeth is not a common side effect associated with retinoid medications. Tetracycline antibiotics are well-known for causing tooth discoloration, particularly in developing teeth. Retinoids primarily affect cell differentiation, proliferation, and immune function, but not dental chromogenesis.
Choice B rationale
Monthly lab work is not routinely required to ensure the proper dose of most retinoid medications, though baseline liver function tests and lipid profiles may be checked, especially with systemic retinoids, due to potential hepatotoxicity and dyslipidemia. However, the dose is primarily guided by clinical response and side effects, not frequent lab adjustments.
Choice C rationale
While some retinoids, such as tretinoin, are used topically for certain precancerous skin lesions like actinic keratosis due to their ability to normalize cell differentiation, they are generally not considered primary treatments for established cancerous lesions. Their role is more in prevention or adjunctive therapy rather than definitive cancer treatment.
Choice D rationale
Retinoids, particularly systemic retinoids like isotretinoin, are highly teratogenic, meaning they can cause severe birth defects. Therefore, strict avoidance of pregnancy is crucial, often requiring two forms of contraception. Additionally, retinoids increase photosensitivity, making sun avoidance and protective measures essential to prevent severe sunburn and skin damage.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) primarily assesses a patient's level of consciousness (LOC) by evaluating eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. While pupillary response is a crucial neurological assessment, it is a separate component and not directly incorporated into the GCS scoring system.
Choice B rationale
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a standardized neurological assessment tool used to objectively evaluate a person's level of consciousness following a brain injury or other neurological insults. It assigns scores for eye opening, verbal response, and motor response, providing a quantitative measure of neurological impairment.
Choice C rationale
While motor response is a component of the GCS, the scale does not specifically test the detailed muscle strength of individual limbs, which is a separate neurological examination. The GCS assesses generalized motor commands, such as obeying commands or withdrawal from pain, rather than specific muscle power.
Choice D rationale
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) does not directly assess memory loss. Memory assessment is a component of a more comprehensive cognitive examination, often performed as part of a mental status examination. The GCS focuses on immediate indicators of arousal and awareness.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Wearing gloves when handling frozen food items is not related to preventing a myasthenic crisis. A myasthenic crisis is characterized by severe muscle weakness, including respiratory muscles, and is often triggered by infection or medication changes, not temperature exposure to hands.
Choice B rationale
Avoiding warm climates is not a primary preventative measure for myasthenic crisis. While extreme temperatures can sometimes exacerbate symptoms in some individuals with myasthenia gravis, it is not a direct trigger for a crisis. Infections are a far more common precipitating factor.
Choice C rationale
Receiving an annual influenza vaccination is crucial for preventing infections, which are a common trigger for myasthenic crisis. Infections, particularly respiratory infections, can significantly worsen muscle weakness and precipitate life-threatening respiratory compromise in patients with myasthenia gravis.
Choice D rationale
Increasing intake of protein does not directly prevent a myasthenic crisis. While adequate nutrition is important for overall health, there is no specific evidence that increased protein intake prevents the acute exacerbation of muscle weakness characteristic of a myasthenic crisis.
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.
