A patient receiving heparin therapy develops bruising and bleeding gums. What should the nurse suspect and what is the appropriate action?

Suspect an allergic reaction and administer antihistamines.

Suspect a bleeding complication and notify the healthcare provider.

Suspect a hypersensitivity reaction and discontinue the heparin immediately.

Suspect an infection and initiate antibiotic therapy.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Bruising and bleeding gums are not indicative of an allergic reaction, which would typically present with different symptoms such as rash, itching, or swelling. Administering antihistamines would not address the underlying issue.

B. The development of bruising and bleeding gums in a patient on heparin therapy suggests a bleeding complication, which is a known risk of anticoagulation therapy. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider to assess the situation and possibly adjust treatment or perform further evaluations.

C. While hypersensitivity reactions can occur with medications, the symptoms presented here are more aligned with bleeding complications than with hypersensitivity. Discontinuing heparin without consulting the provider could put the patient at risk for thromboembolic events.

D. The symptoms do not indicate an infection; therefore, initiating antibiotic therapy would not be appropriate in this context.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Hypertension can affect drug distribution to some extent due to altered perfusion but is not the most significant factor impacting distribution, especially for a local condition like cellulitis.

B. Liver dysfunction primarily affects the metabolism and clearance of drugs rather than their distribution, although it may indirectly influence distribution by altering protein binding.

C. Peripheral vascular disease significantly impacts blood flow to the extremities, which can hinder the distribution of the antibiotic to the affected area (the left leg) where the cellulitis is present, leading to reduced drug efficacy.

D. Diverticulitis disease primarily affects the gastrointestinal system and would not directly influence the distribution of an antibiotic used to treat cellulitis in the leg.

A. be released fairly quickly. B. have a long duration of action. C. be excreted quickly. D. lead to toxicity when given.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. A drug that binds tightly to protein is typically released slowly, not quickly, as it remains bound in circulation.

B. Tight binding to proteins usually results in a prolonged duration of action since the drug is released gradually into the bloodstream, leading to sustained therapeutic effects.

C. Drugs that bind tightly to protein are generally not excreted quickly; they remain in circulation longer due to the binding.

D. While toxicity can occur with any drug, tight protein binding does not inherently lead to toxicity; it primarily affects the pharmacokinetics of the drug.

View Question and Answer

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

A patient receiving heparin therapy develops bruising and bleeding gums. What should the nurse suspect and what is the appropriate action?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is administering an antibiotic to a client with a diagnosis of cellulitis of the left leg. Which client condition would have the greatest effect on the drug's distribution?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

When researching information about a drug, the nurse finds that the drug tightly binds to protein. The nurse would interpret this to mean that the drug will:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Interpret and spell the abbreviation: supp_____ Enter the full word below.

A postsurgical client has been receiving morphine by patient-controlled analgesia for 2 days. What action by the nurse best addresses potential adverse effects?

Interpret and spell the abbreviation: qh

The nurse is preparing to administer a mixture of 12 units regular insulin and 45 units NPH insulin to a client with a blood sugar of 378 mg/dl. After the nurse draws the medication into the syringe, what is the nurse's next action?

The nurse would contact the health care provider before administering an adrenergic drug to a client who is also taking which drug?

A client taking diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, for hypertension has come to the clinic for a follow-up appointment. The nurse will assess the client for which adverse effects?

The nurse is caring for a client taking fluoxetine for depression. Which assessment findings indicate that the medication is effective? (Select all that apply.)

The nursing instructor has been teaching about antivirals, actions, and effects. The instructor realizes that a student needs further instruction when the student makes which statement?