A patient is taking a drug that has known toxic side effects. What will the nurse do?
Discontinue the drug at the first signs of toxicity.
Teach the patient how to treat the symptoms if they develop.
Ensure that complete blood counts are ordered periodically.
Monitor the function of all organs potentially affected by the drug.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason:
Discontinuing the drug at the first signs of toxicity might seem like a straightforward solution, but it is not always the best approach. Some drugs are essential for treating serious conditions, and stopping them abruptly can cause more harm than good. Instead, the nurse should monitor the patient closely and consult with the healthcare provider to adjust the dosage or switch to a safer alternative if necessary.
Choice B Reason:
Teaching the patient how to treat symptoms if they develop is important, but it is not sufficient on its own. While patient education is a crucial aspect of managing drug side effects, it should be part of a broader strategy that includes regular monitoring and medical supervision.
Choice C Reason:
Ensuring that complete blood counts are ordered periodically is a good practice, especially for drugs that can affect blood cells. However, this approach is too narrow. Toxic side effects can impact various organs and systems, so a comprehensive monitoring plan is necessary.
Choice D Reason:
This is the correct answer. Monitoring the function of all organs potentially affected by the drug is the most comprehensive and effective approach. This includes regular blood tests, liver function tests, kidney function tests, and other relevant assessments. By closely monitoring the patient’s organ functions, the healthcare team can detect early signs of toxicity and take appropriate action to prevent serious complications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Atrophy
Atrophy refers to the reduction in size or wasting away of an organ or tissue due to a decrease in cell size or number. This can occur due to various reasons such as disuse, lack of nutrition, or loss of nerve supply. While atrophy involves the shrinkage of cells, it does not directly result in cellular death. Instead, it is a form of cellular adaptation to adverse conditions.
Choice B: Proliferation
Proliferation is the process by which cells grow and divide to produce more cells. This process is essential for growth, development, and tissue repair. Proliferation leads to an increase in the number of cells and is the opposite of cellular death. It is a tightly regulated process that ensures the maintenance and regeneration of tissues.
Choice C: Mutation
Mutation refers to changes in the DNA sequence of a cell. These changes can occur due to errors during DNA replication, exposure to radiation, or chemical mutagens. While mutations can lead to various outcomes, including cancer, they do not directly cause cellular death. Instead, mutations can alter the function of genes and proteins, potentially leading to uncontrolled cell growth or other cellular dysfunctions.
Choice D: Death
Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms. It is a highly regulated process that allows the body to remove damaged or unnecessary cells without causing harm to surrounding tissues. Apoptosis involves a series of biochemical events leading to characteristic cell changes and eventual death. This process is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis and preventing the development of diseases such as cancer.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
The statement that the medication will be completely out of the patient’s body after three days is incorrect. The half-life of a drug indicates the time it takes for the concentration of the drug in the body to reduce by half. After one half-life (one day), 50% of the drug remains. After two half-lives (two days), 25% remains. After three half-lives (three days), 12.5% remains. Therefore, some amount of the drug will still be present in the body after three days.
Choice B Reason:
To calculate the amount of medication remaining after three days, we use the half-life formula. Starting with 10 mg, after one day (one half-life), 5 mg remains. After two days (two half-lives), 2.5 mg remains. After three days (three half-lives), 1.25 mg remains. This calculation shows that 1.25 mg of the medication will still be in the patient’s body after three days.
Choice C Reason:
The choice of 5 mg is incorrect because it represents the amount of medication remaining after one half-life (one day), not three half-lives. After one day, 50% of the initial dose remains, which is 5 mg. However, the question asks for the amount remaining after three days.
Choice D Reason:
The choice of 1 mg is also incorrect. After three half-lives, the amount of medication remaining is 12.5% of the initial dose. For an initial dose of 10 mg, this would be 1.25 mg, not 1 mg. The calculation must accurately reflect the reduction by half for each half-life period.
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