A patient with heart failure develops hyperaldosteronism and is prescribed spironolactone.
What instructions should the nurse include in the patient’s care plan?
Substitute salt with a salt substitute.
Protect your skin before going outside.
Limit intake of high-potassium foods.
Monitor skin for excessive bruising.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
While salt substitutes can be a good option for some patients with heart failure, they are often high in potassium. Because spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, using a salt substitute could lead to dangerously high levels of potassium.
Choice B rationale
Protecting your skin before going outside is generally good advice, but it’s not specifically related to the use of spironolactone.
Choice C rationale
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, which means it can cause the body to retain potassium. Therefore, patients taking spironolactone should limit their intake of high- potassium foods to prevent hyperkalemia.
Choice D rationale
While it’s always important to monitor for side effects when taking a new medication, excessive bruising is not a common side effect of spironolactone.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Ipratropium is a bronchodilator used to prevent bronchospasm in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)3. The inhaler needs to be primed before use to ensure the right amount of medicine is delivered. However, priming the inhaler with 7 pumps is not recommended. Therefore, if the client primes the inhaler with 7 pumps, it indicates that additional teaching is needed.
Choice B rationale
Storing the medication at room temperature is the correct way to store ipratropium. Therefore, this action does not indicate that additional teaching is needed.
Choice C rationale
Rinsing the mouth after each use of the inhaler is a recommended practice. This helps to prevent dry mouth and throat irritation caused by the medication. Therefore, this action does not indicate that additional teaching is needed.
Choice D rationale
Attaching a spacer device to the inhaler can help improve the delivery of the medication. Therefore, this action does not indicate that additional teaching is needed.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Eliminating spinach and other green vegetables from the diet is not necessary for a client taking dabigatran. Unlike warfarin, another anticoagulant that interacts with vitamin K found
in green leafy vegetables, dabigatran does not have this interaction. Therefore, clients taking dabigatran do not need to modify their intake of green vegetables.
Choice B rationale
The nurse should instruct the client to avoid the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) while taking dabigatran. NSAIDs can increase the risk of bleeding, which is already elevated in clients taking anticoagulants like dabigatran.
Choice C rationale
Continuing to obtain scheduled laboratory bleeding tests is not necessary for a client taking dabigatran. Unlike some other anticoagulants, dabigatran does not require regular blood tests to monitor its effectiveness or adjust its dosage.
Choice D rationale
Keeping an antidote available in case of hemorrhage is not typically part of the teaching plan for a client taking dabigatran. While an antidote for dabigatran does exist, it is usually administered in a hospital setting in the event of life-threatening bleeding or emergency surgery.
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
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.