For a client diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease who has been taking aspirin 81 mg daily prophylactically for several months, which assessment finding is of most concern?

Hemoglobin is 7.1 g/dL on today's laboratory report.

There are small areas of ecchymosis on the client's upper extremities.

Platelet count is 148,000/uL on today's laboratory report.

The client complains of gastrointestinal discomfort after taking the medication.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A Reason
A hemoglobin level of 7.1 g/dL is significantly lower than the normal range, which is typically around 13.8 to 17.2 g/dL for men and 12.1 to 15.1 g/dL for women. This finding is concerning as it indicates severe anemia, which can be a life-threatening condition requiring immediate intervention. Anemia can lead to tissue hypoxia as the blood's capacity to carry oxygen is diminished. In the context of peripheral arterial disease, where blood flow is already compromised, anemia can exacerbate symptoms and increase the risk of ischemic events.

Choice B Reason
Ecchymosis, or bruising, on the client's upper extremities could be a result of the antiplatelet effects of aspirin, which inhibits platelet aggregation and prolongs bleeding time. While this is a concern and warrants monitoring, it is not as immediately life-threatening as severe anemia. However, it does indicate a risk of bleeding complications, which should be addressed by the healthcare provider.

Choice C Reason
A platelet count of 148,000/uL is at the lower end of the normal range, which is approximately 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. This finding should be monitored, especially in the context of aspirin therapy, which can affect platelet function. However, it is not as critical as the low hemoglobin level.

Choice D Reason
Gastrointestinal discomfort is a common side effect of aspirin due to its irritation of the stomach lining. While this symptom can be uncomfortable and may lead to more serious gastrointestinal issues such as ulcers or bleeding, it is typically not as urgent as severe anemia. The client should be evaluated for potential gastrointestinal complications of aspirin therapy.

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
Metoprolol, a beta-blocker, can cause fluid retention, which may lead to swelling in the ankles. However, this is not a common side effect and is not typically included as a standard warning for patients starting on metoprolol. Patients should be aware of this potential side effect but also understand that it may not occur.

Choice B Reason
Patients should not stop taking metoprolol abruptly, especially if they experience fatigue, which can be a common side effect. Abrupt cessation can lead to rebound hypertension or angina. Instead, patients should consult their healthcare provider if they experience significant fatigue that impacts their daily activities.

Choice C Reason
Checking the pulse is an important self-monitoring measure for patients on metoprolol. This medication can slow the heart rate, and patients should be instructed on how to check their pulse and what to do if it falls below a certain rate, as advised by their healthcare provider.

Choice D Reason
While staying hydrated is generally good advice, there is no specific need to drink plenty of fluids related to the use of metoprolol for angina pectoris. Patients should follow normal hydration guidelines unless otherwise directed by their healthcare provider.

A. "You will need to take this medication with food from now on." B. "You should avoid dangerous activities because of the side effects you are experiencing." C. "The medication is usually prescribed for a short time, and the side effects may go away." D. "You can use sugarless gum or candy to relieve some of those symptoms."

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A Reason
Taking alprazolam with food may help with some gastrointestinal side effects but does not address the client's concerns about dizziness and light-headedness. While it is a practical suggestion, it is not the priority response when the client is experiencing symptoms that could affect their safety¹.

Choice B Reason
The priority for the nurse is to ensure the client's safety. Dizziness and light-headedness can increase the risk of falls or accidents, especially when performing tasks that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery. Therefore, advising the client to avoid dangerous activities is the most immediate and appropriate response¹.

Choice C Reason
While it is true that alprazolam is often prescribed for short-term use and some side effects may diminish over time, this does not provide the client with a solution to their current symptoms. The nurse should address the client's immediate concerns and ensure their safety before discussing the duration of medication use¹.

Choice D Reason
Using sugarless gum or candy can help with dry mouth, which is a common side effect of alprazolam. However, this advice does not address the more serious side effects of dizziness and light-headedness that the client is experiencing. Therefore, it is not the priority response but can be included as additional advice¹.

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

For a client diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease who has been taking aspirin 81 mg daily prophylactically for several months, which assessment finding is of most concern?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with angina pectoris who is prescribed metoprolol 50 mg PO daily. Which information should the nurse include in the teaching?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Two months after beginning drug therapy with alprazolam, a client states, "I feel much better, but I can't believe how dizzy and light-headed I get, and sometimes my mouth feels dry." Which would be the priority response by the nurse?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The client has passed a renal calculus that is determined to be composed of calcium oxalate. Which discharge instruction should be given by the nurse?

To evaluate the effectiveness of nitroglycerin 0.4 mg SL administered to a client diagnosed with angina pectoris, the nurse should:

What environmental changes should the nurse make for a client who is experiencing perceptual alterations?

How would the nurse best evaluate the effectiveness of drug therapy for a client diagnosed with pneumonia being treated with amoxicillin?

Question 92 A client is transferred to the Postanesthesia Care Unit (PACU) after surgery. The priority nursing intervention is:

When addressing a local community group on the topic of obesity, the nurse should include the following points:

A nurse is caring for a client who has severe preeclampsia and is receiving magnesium sulfate IV at 2 g/hr. Which of the following findings indicates that it is safe for the nurse to continue the infusion?

A nurse is assessing a client newly diagnosed with early-onset osteoarthritis. Which manifestation should the nurse expect?