A patient tells the nurse that she takes aspirin for menstrual cramps, but she does not feel that it works well. What will the nurse suggest?

The patient should increase the dose until pain is controlled.

The patient should use a first-generation nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication instead.

The patient should use acetaminophen because of its anti-inflammatory effects.

The patient should avoid any type of COX inhibitor because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Increasing aspirin dosage without medical guidance risks toxicity, including gastrointestinal bleeding and ulceration, as aspirin inhibits COX enzymes, reducing prostaglandin production. Prostaglandins mediate pain and inflammation, but excessive inhibition can damage the stomach lining. This approach is unsafe and not recommended for managing menstrual cramps effectively, as it may exacerbate adverse effects without ensuring better pain relief.

Choice B reason: First-generation NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, are more effective for menstrual cramps due to their stronger inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, which reduce prostaglandin synthesis responsible for uterine contractions and pain. Unlike aspirin, ibuprofen offers better pain relief with a more favorable dosing profile, making it a suitable alternative for dysmenorrhea management in most patients.

Choice C reason: Acetaminophen lacks significant anti-inflammatory effects, as it primarily inhibits COX enzymes in the central nervous system, not peripherally. It reduces pain and fever but does not effectively target prostaglandin-mediated inflammation in menstrual cramps. Therefore, it is less effective than NSAIDs like ibuprofen for dysmenorrhea, making it an inappropriate substitute in this context.

Choice D reason: Avoiding COX inhibitors due to Reye’s syndrome risk is unwarranted here, as Reye’s syndrome is primarily associated with aspirin use in children with viral infections. Menstrual cramps are unrelated to this condition, and COX inhibitors like NSAIDs are standard treatment. This choice is overly restrictive and not clinically justified for managing dysmenorrhea.

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

Choice A reason: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, promotes potassium excretion, risking hypokalemia. The patient’s potassium level (3.1 mEq/L) is below normal (3.5-5.0 mEq/L), indicating hypokalemia, which can cause arrhythmias. Administering Lasix without addressing this could worsen the electrolyte imbalance, making this choice unsafe and incorrect.

Choice B reason: Oxygen administration addresses respiratory issues, not electrolyte imbalances like hypokalemia (3.1 mEq/L) caused by furosemide. There’s no indication of hypoxia in the lab results or scenario. This action doesn’t correct the potassium deficit or prevent further depletion, making it irrelevant and incorrect.

Choice C reason: Furosemide exacerbates hypokalemia (patient’s potassium: 3.1 mEq/L), risking cardiac arrhythmias or muscle weakness. Holding the dose prevents further potassium loss, and notifying the physician allows for correction (e.g., potassium supplements) and reassessment of therapy, making this the safest and most appropriate action.

Choice D reason: A 24-hour urine collection assesses renal function or output but doesn’t address the immediate concern of hypokalemia (3.1 mEq/L) caused by furosemide. This test is irrelevant to correcting the electrolyte imbalance or preventing further depletion, making it an inappropriate action in this scenario.

A. 0.6 mL B. 1.6 mL C. 2 mL D. 1 mL

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: For 40 mg at 25 mg/mL: 40 ÷ 25 = 1.6 mL. Choice A (0.6 mL) delivers 15 mg (0.6 × 25), underdosing Benadryl, which could fail to relieve allergic symptoms or sedation needs, making this choice incorrect for the prescribed dose.

Choice B reason: Calculating 40 mg ÷ 25 mg/mL = 1.6 mL accurately delivers the ordered 40 mg of Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for allergy or sedation. This ensures therapeutic efficacy without overdose, aligning with safe administration for intramuscular delivery, making this the correct choice.

Choice C reason: For 40 mg, the volume is 40 ÷ 25 = 1.6 mL. Choice C (2 mL) delivers 50 mg (2 × 25), overdosing Benadryl, risking excessive sedation or anticholinergic effects like dry mouth or confusion, making this choice incorrect and potentially unsafe.

Choice D reason: The correct volume is 1.6 mL (40 ÷ 25). Choice D (1 mL) delivers 25 mg (1 × 25), underdosing Benadryl, which may not achieve therapeutic effects for allergies or sedation, making this choice inadequate for the prescribed dose.

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 tells the nurse that she takes aspirin for menstrual cramps, but she does not feel that it works well. What will the nurse suggest?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse caring for a patient taking furosemide [Lasix] is reviewing the patient’s most recent laboratory results, which are: sodium, 136 mEq/L; potassium, 3.1 mEq/L; chloride, 100 mEq/L; blood urea nitrogen, 15 mg/dL. What is the nurse’s best action?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The healthcare provider orders Benadryl 40 mg IM now. The available concentration is 25 mg/mL. How many mL will the patient receive?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Name the imbalance using the following Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) values: pH 7.32, PaCO2 <37, HCO3- <24

A new graduate nurse preparing to administer medications knows that which of the following is required for a drug to move through the body?

A patient reports becoming “immune” to a medication because it no longer works to alleviate symptoms. The nurse recognizes that this decreased effectiveness is likely caused by:

A nurse provides discharge instructions for a patient who is taking acetaminophen [Tylenol] after surgery. The nurse should instruct the patient to avoid which product while taking acetaminophen?

Name the imbalance using the following Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) values: pH 7.48, PaCO2 44, HCO3- 29

A patient newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes asks a nurse, “How does insulin normally work in my body?” The nurse explains that normal insulin has which action in the body?

A patient who was in a motor vehicle accident sustained a severe head injury and is brought to the emergency department. The provider orders intravenous mannitol (Osmitrol). The nurse knows that this is given to:

A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of breath, a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal retractions, and frothy, pink sputum. The nurse caring for this patient will expect to administer which drug?