Before administering a laxative to a bedfast client, it is most important for the nurse to perform which assessment?

Evaluate the client's ability to recognize the urge to defecate.

Determine the frequency and consistency of bowel movements.

Observe the skin integrity of the client's rectal and sacral areas.

Assess the client's strength in moving and turning in the bed.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A) Evaluate the client's ability to recognize the urge to defecate: Assessing the client's ability to recognize the urge to defecate is important for promoting independence in toileting. However, this assessment may not directly indicate the need for administering a laxative. It is more relevant for clients who are able to ambulate or have control over their bowel movements.

B) Determine the frequency and consistency of bowel movements: Assessing the frequency and consistency of bowel movements provides valuable information about the client's bowel function and helps determine the need for a laxative. It allows the nurse to establish a baseline and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Understanding the client's typical bowel pattern is crucial before administering a laxative to avoid overmedication or potential complications such as diarrhea or fecal impaction.

C) Observe the skin integrity of the client's rectal and sacral areas: Assessing skin integrity in the rectal and sacral areas is crucial for preventing pressure ulcers, especially in bedfast clients. However, it is not directly related to the need for administering a laxative.

D) Assess the client's strength in moving and turning in the bed: While assessing the client's strength and mobility is important for overall care and prevention of complications related to immobility, it may not be directly related to the need for administering a laxative. This assessment is more relevant for preventing complications such as pressure ulcers and maintaining musculoskeletal function.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A) Sleeps soundly through the night: Zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic medication commonly prescribed for the short-term treatment of insomnia in older adults. The desired outcome of administering zolpidem is improved sleep quality, including the ability to sleep soundly through the night. Documenting that the client sleeps soundly through the night indicates that the medication has achieved its intended effect of promoting sleep.

B) Exhibits fewer emotional outbursts: While zolpidem may indirectly contribute to emotional stability by improving sleep quality, it is not primarily indicated for reducing emotional outbursts. Therefore, this documentation does not specifically reflect the desired outcome of zolpidem administration.

C) Improved ability to concentrate: Zolpidem’s primary effect is on sleep induction rather than concentration. While improved sleep may indirectly enhance concentration in some cases, this documentation does not directly relate to the intended outcome of zolpidem therapy.

D) Decreased episodes of incontinence: Zolpidem is not indicated for the treatment of urinary incontinence, so documenting a decrease in episodes of incontinence would not reflect the desired outcome of zolpidem administration.

Therefore, the most appropriate documentation indicating that the desired outcome has been achieved when administering zolpidem to an older client is that the client “sleeps soundly through the night.” This reflects the medication’s primary purpose of improving sleep quality and duration.

A. Breast feeding is not recommended while taking this medication. B. Do not take multiple vitamins that contain vitamin A while taking this drug. C. Baseline liver function results must be obtained during therapy. D. Discontinue this medication one month before attempting to conceive.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A) Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking this medication: While it’s important for clients to avoid breastfeeding while taking isotretinoin due to potential harm to the infant, the primary concern for a young adult female planning to become pregnant is the risk of teratogenic effects on the fetus. Therefore, while this information is relevant, it’s not the most important consideration in this situation.

B) Do not take multiple vitamins that contain vitamin A while taking this drug: Avoiding excessive intake of vitamin A is essential to prevent toxicity, but it’s not the most critical consideration for a client planning to become pregnant. The main concern is the teratogenic effects of isotretinoin on the fetus.

C) Baseline liver function results must be obtained during therapy: Monitoring liver function is important during isotretinoin therapy to assess for potential hepatotoxicity, but it’s not the most crucial consideration for a client planning to become pregnant. The primary concern is the need to discontinue the medication before conception to prevent fetal exposure.

D) Discontinue this medication one month before attempting to conceive: This is the most important information for the nurse to provide to the client. Isotretinoin is highly teratogenic and can cause severe birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Therefore, it’s essential for the client to discontinue isotretinoin at least one month before attempting to conceive to ensure the drug is cleared from the body and to prevent fetal exposure.

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Before administering a laxative to a bedfast client, it is most important for the nurse to perform which assessment?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

When administering zolpidem to an older client, which computer documentation indicates that the desired outcome has been achieved?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A young adult female client who is planning to become pregnant asks the nurse if she can continue taking isotretinoin for cystic acne. Which information is most important for the nurse to provide this client?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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Six days after starting a prescription of an oral amoxicillin solution, a client calls the clinic to report the onset of a low grade fever. Which action should the nurse Implement?

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