A patient plans to stop taking prescribed clonidine to treat hypertension because of the side effect of dry mouth. Which action by the nurse is best?
Tell the patient that dry mouth is not caused by clonidine.
Give the patient hard candy or gum to relieve the symptom.
Instruct the patient to stop taking the medication immediately.
Advise the patient to take a reduced dose of the medication.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale: Dry mouth is a known side effect of clonidine, and denying this information would be inaccurate.
Choice B rationale: Providing strategies to alleviate the side effect, such as offering hard candy or gum, is a proactive approach to managing the dry mouth without discontinuing the medication.
Choice C rationale: Stopping antihypertensive medication abruptly can lead to rebound hypertension, and the nurse should not encourage discontinuation without consulting the healthcare provider.
Choice D rationale: Adjusting the dose of clonidine should be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider; self-adjustment without professional input is not advisable.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Dry mouth is a known side effect of clonidine, and denying this information would be inaccurate.
Choice B rationale: Providing strategies to alleviate the side effect, such as offering hard candy or gum, is a proactive approach to managing the dry mouth without discontinuing the medication.
Choice C rationale: Stopping antihypertensive medication abruptly can lead to rebound hypertension, and the nurse should not encourage discontinuation without consulting the healthcare provider.
Choice D rationale: Adjusting the dose of clonidine should be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider; self-adjustment without professional input is not advisable.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Dopamine is not the appropriate medication for an allergic reaction. It is a neurotransmitter and is not used in the treatment of anaphylaxis.
Choice B rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, including severe difficulty breathing and swelling of the tongue. It acts quickly to reverse the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Choice C rationale: Norepinephrine is not the medication of choice for an allergic reaction. It primarily acts as a vasoconstrictor and is used in conditions like septic shock.
Choice D rationale: Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant and is not the appropriate medication for treating an allergic reaction with respiratory distress.
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