A patient taking an angiotensin receptor blocker (AR) to control blood pressure is now complaining of muscle cramps which action will the nurse implement?

Review serum electrolytes

Request the patient's food diary

Place the patent on bed rest

Observing vital signs

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Review serum electrolytes: Muscle cramps can be associated with electrolyte imbalances, such as hypokalemia (low potassium levels), which can occur as a side effect of ARB medications. Therefore, reviewing the patient's serum electrolyte levels, including potassium, can help identify any abnormalities that may be contributing to the muscle cramps. If hypokalemia is present, appropriate interventions such as potassium supplementation or adjustment of the ARB dosage may be necessary to alleviate the muscle cramps.

B. Request the patient's food diary: While assessing the patient's food diary may provide information about their dietary habits and potential factors contributing to muscle cramps (such as dehydration or inadequate nutrient intake), it may not directly address the potential electrolyte imbalance associated with ARB use. Therefore, while obtaining a food diary may be relevant, it is not the priority action in this scenario.

C. Place the patient on bed rest: Placing the patient on bed rest is not indicated solely based on complaints of muscle cramps. Muscle cramps can have various causes, and restricting the patient's activity may not address the underlying issue. Additionally, bed rest could lead to other complications such as deconditioning or venous thromboembolism, which are not warranted in this situation.

D. Observing vital signs: While monitoring vital signs is a routine nursing intervention, it may not directly address the patient's complaint of muscle cramps. Vital signs may be relevant in assessing overall health status, but they may not provide specific information about the cause of muscle cramps or guide appropriate interventions.

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 A

Explanation

A. "Weigh yourself after breakfast every morning": Hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic, can lead to fluid and electrolyte imbalances, including hyponatremia and hypokalemia. Monitoring weight daily, particularly after breakfast, helps detect any sudden weight changes that could indicate fluid retention or loss, allowing for timely intervention.

B. "Check your blood pressure anytime during the day": While monitoring blood pressure regularly is important for patients with hypertension, it is not a specific safety precaution related to taking hydrochlorothiazide. Blood pressure monitoring may be recommended, but it is not the primary safety precaution associated with this medication.

C. "Call the primary care provider if you experience any seizures": Seizures are not a common side effect of hydrochlorothiazide. Therefore, while it is important for patients to report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider, seizures are not specifically associated with this medication.

D. "Exercise at least twice a week": While regular exercise is beneficial for overall health, it is not a specific safety precaution related to taking hydrochlorothiazide. However, lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise may complement medication therapy in managing hypertension.

A. A renal ultrasound B. A cardiac stress test C. A manual blood pressure cuff D. Ambulatory blood pressure measurement

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Answer: D

Rationale:

A) A renal ultrasound: A renal ultrasound is not typically used to confirm a diagnosis of hypertension. While renal artery stenosis can contribute to hypertension in some cases, it is not the primary diagnostic test for hypertension.

B) A cardiac stress test: A cardiac stress test is not used to confirm a diagnosis of hypertension. It is primarily used to assess cardiovascular function and detect coronary artery disease or cardiac arrhythmias.

C) A manual blood pressure cuff: While manual blood pressure measurements can provide accurate readings, they are subject to potential inaccuracies due to factors such as observer bias and white coat syndrome. Therefore, they may not be the most reliable method for confirming a diagnosis of hypertension.

D) Ambulatory blood pressure measurement: Ambulatory blood pressure measurement involves obtaining multiple blood pressure readings over a 24-hour period using a portable monitor. It is considered the gold standard for diagnosing hypertension, as it provides a more comprehensive assessment of blood pressure variability and reduces the impact of white coat syndrome. Therefore, it is the preferred diagnostic test in this scenario to confirm whether the patient has hypertension outside of the clinical setting.

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 taking an angiotensin receptor blocker (AR) to control blood pressure is now complaining of muscle cramps which action will the nurse implement?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is teaching an older adult with a new prescription for hydrochlorothiazide as a second anti-hypertensive drug. What safety precaution will the nurse include in the teaching?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a patient who is returning for a repeat blood pressure to determine if white coat syndrome occurred during the first clinical visit. Which diagnostic test will be used to confirm a diagnosis of hypertension?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is applying standard precautions in the care of a patient who has a history of human immunodeficiency virus. What key element of standard precaution?

A nurse is providing education of enoxaparin to a patient diagnosed with deep venous thrombosis. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?

The nurse is assessing a patient diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. Which clinical manifestations are consistent with this diagnosis? Select All That Apply

A nurse is planning discharge instructions for a patient with hepatitis A and their family. The nurse will include which infection transmission measure in the discharge instructions?

A nurse is assessing a patient diagnosed with deep-vein thrombosis. Which clinical manifestation is consistent with the diagnosis?

A nurse is developing a discharge teaching plan for a patient diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease. Which instruction will the nurse include in the plan?

The nurse is assessing a patient who was recently switched to amlodipine. Which assessment finding indicates that the patient is experiencing side effects of the drug? Select All That Apply