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: While methotrexate can help prevent fatal toxicities associated with rheumatoid arthritis, this is not the primary reason for its use in this context.
Choice B rationale: This is correct. Starting methotrexate early in the course of rheumatoid arthritis can help delay the disease process of joint degeneration and prevent irreversible damage.
Choice C rationale: While controlling symptoms is important for the patient's quality of life, starting methotrexate is more about preventing joint damage and progression of the disease than increasing life expectancy.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale: A blood pressure reading of 130/80 mmHg is within the normal range and would not be a priority to report.
Choice B rationale: Expiratory wheezing is a potential adverse effect of propranolol, especially in patients with a history of asthma or other respiratory conditions. It should be reported promptly to the provider.
Choice C rationale: Hunger and thirst are not typically associated with adverse effects of propranolol.
Choice D rationale: A pulse of 98 beats/min is within the normal range and would not be a priority to report.
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