An older adult client is receiving digoxin 0.25 mg PO every day, furosemide 40 mg PO twice a day, and potassium chloride 20 mEq PO twice a day. The client remarks, “What a lovely yellow uniform you are wearing today.” The practical nurse (PN) is wearing white. Which action should the PN implement?
Evaluate the client for digitalis glycoside side effects
Withhold the furosemide and force fluids
Assume the client is joking and give the medications
Give the client additional potassium-rich foods
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Digoxin toxicity can cause visual disturbances, like seeing yellow halos, due to its effect on retinal cone cells. The client’s comment about a yellow uniform suggests this side effect. Evaluating for toxicity, including checking serum digoxin levels, is critical, as toxicity can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias.
Choice B reason: Withholding furosemide and forcing fluids is inappropriate, as the client’s visual symptom points to digoxin toxicity, not furosemide-related issues. Furosemide causes diuresis, but no evidence suggests dehydration here. This choice does not address the likely digoxin-induced visual disturbance.
Choice C reason: Assuming the client is joking ignores a potential digoxin toxicity symptom. Visual changes, like yellow-tinted vision, are serious and require investigation, not dismissal. Administering medications without evaluation risks exacerbating toxicity, making this choice unsafe and incorrect.
Choice D reason: Additional potassium-rich foods are unnecessary, as the client is already receiving potassium chloride. The visual symptom suggests digoxin toxicity, not hypokalemia. Potassium levels may influence digoxin toxicity, but the priority is evaluating digoxin’s effects, not dietary intervention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Using an Amsler grid monitors macular degeneration, not sildenafil-related visual changes, which include color tinting or blurred vision due to PDE5 inhibition affecting retinal blood flow. This is not a standard monitoring tool for sildenafil side effects, making it inappropriate for this context.
Choice B reason: Instilling eye drops is irrelevant, as sildenafil’s visual changes are systemic, caused by its effect on retinal phosphodiesterase, not a local eye condition treatable with drops. No evidence supports eye drops for this side effect, making this choice incorrect and ineffective.
Choice C reason: Wearing dark glasses may reduce light sensitivity but does not address sildenafil’s visual side effects, like blue-green color distortion, caused by altered retinal signaling. This is a temporary, drug-induced effect, and glasses do not mitigate the underlying issue, making this choice inadequate.
Choice D reason: Reporting visual changes immediately is critical, as sildenafil can cause rare but serious effects like non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, impairing retinal blood flow. Prompt reporting allows the provider to assess severity, adjust dosing, or discontinue the drug to prevent permanent vision loss.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Serum lithium levels indicate compliance but do not directly explain the need for frequent monitoring. Lithium’s therapeutic effect stabilizes mood, but monitoring is primarily due to its narrow therapeutic index, where small changes in blood levels can cause toxicity, not just behavioral changes or compliance.
Choice B reason: Sodium levels affect lithium excretion, as both compete for renal reabsorption. Low sodium increases lithium retention, risking toxicity, while high sodium increases excretion, reducing efficacy. Lithium’s narrow therapeutic range (0.6–1.2 mEq/L) necessitates frequent monitoring to prevent toxic levels, which can cause neurological or cardiac issues.
Choice C reason: Myelosuppression and agranulocytosis are not common lithium side effects. Lithium may cause mild leukocytosis, not suppression. Toxicity risks, like neurological or renal effects, drive monitoring needs, not hematologic issues. This choice is incorrect, as it misrepresents lithium’s side effect profile.
Choice D reason: Tyramine, relevant to monoamine oxidase inhibitors, does not influence lithium metabolism. Lithium’s pharmacokinetics are affected by sodium and renal function, not dietary tyramine. This choice is incorrect, as it falsely links a dietary factor to lithium’s monitoring requirements.
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.