After administering lisinopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, it is most important for the nurse to monitor which assessment finding?
Serum potassium and skin turgor.
Eosinophil count and constipation.
Blood pressure and risk for falls.
Heart rate and reports of nausea.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Monitoring serum potassium is relevant, as lisinopril can cause hyperkalemia by reducing aldosterone, impairing potassium excretion. Skin turgor, however, assesses hydration, not ACE inhibitor effects. Blood pressure monitoring is more critical, as lisinopril lowers blood pressure via vasodilation, risking hypotension and falls, especially in elderly clients.
Choice B reason: Eosinophil count and constipation are unrelated to lisinopril’s effects. Elevated eosinophils may suggest allergies, but this is rare with ACE inhibitors. Constipation is not a common side effect. Lisinopril’s primary action is renin-angiotensin inhibition, making blood pressure and fall risk monitoring more urgent to prevent hypotensive complications.
Choice C reason: Lisinopril reduces angiotensin II, promoting vasodilation and lowering blood pressure. Monitoring blood pressure detects hypotension, which increases fall risk, particularly in older adults, due to dizziness or orthostatic changes. This directly assesses the drug’s cardiovascular effects, ensuring safety by preventing falls or syncope, making it the priority assessment.
Choice D reason: Heart rate and nausea are not primary lisinopril concerns. Tachycardia may occur secondary to hypotension, and nausea is rare. The drug’s main effect is blood pressure reduction via ACE inhibition, necessitating monitoring for hypotension and fall risk to ensure patient safety, as these are more immediate and significant pharmacological effects.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Denying muscle spasms is normal and not a complication. Muscle twitching indicates hypocalcemia, a thyroidectomy risk due to parathyroid damage. Absence of spasms is reassuring, per postoperative complication monitoring and endocrine surgical care standards in nursing.
Choice B reason: Back and joint pain are nonspecific and not typical thyroidectomy complications. Muscle twitching suggests hypocalcemia, a critical issue post-thyroidectomy. Pain requires assessment but is less urgent, per postoperative monitoring and complication management protocols in surgical nursing.
Choice C reason: Muscle twitching in hands and feet indicates hypocalcemia, a serious complication from parathyroid gland damage during thyroidectomy. This requires immediate calcium replacement to prevent tetany, per postoperative complication monitoring and endocrine surgical care protocols in nursing practice.
Choice D reason: Diaphoresis without headache is nonspecific and not a primary thyroidectomy complication. Muscle twitching signals hypocalcemia, needing urgent intervention. Diaphoresis requires monitoring but is less critical, per postoperative assessment and complication management standards in surgical nursing.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Elevating the hand reduces edema, potentially improving circulation, but is premature without assessing the absent radial pulse’s cause. Post-fracture, compartment syndrome or arterial injury risks ischemia. Neurovascular assessment identifies severity, guiding targeted interventions to restore perfusion, making elevation secondary to assessment.
Choice B reason: Measuring blood pressure and heart rate provides systemic data but not localized insight into the absent radial pulse, likely from arterial compression post-surgery. Neurovascular assessment evaluates limb perfusion, detecting compartment syndrome or occlusion, critical for urgent intervention to prevent tissue necrosis.
Choice C reason: Completing a neurovascular assessment evaluates pulse, color, warmth, sensation, and movement. Absent radial pulse post-fracture suggests compartment syndrome or arterial injury, risking ischemia. This confirms vascular compromise, guiding interventions like fasciotomy, addressing the pathophysiological threat to limb viability, ensuring timely treatment.
Choice D reason: Notifying the provider follows assessment. Absent radial pulse suggests compartment syndrome, where swelling impairs arterial flow. Neurovascular assessment quantifies severity (e.g., pallor, paresthesia), ensuring accurate reporting for urgent intervention, preventing delays in treating vascular compromise critical to limb preservation.
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