Prior to administering oral doses of calcitriol and calcium carbonate to a client with hypoparathyroidism, the nurse notes that the total level of calcium is 14 mg/dL (3.5 mmol/L). Which action should the nurse implement?

Administer both prescribed medications as scheduled.

Hold the calcitriol but administer the calcium carbonate as scheduled.

Hold the calcium carbonate but administer the calcitriol as scheduled.

Hold both medications until contacting the healthcare provider.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A total calcium level of 14 mg/dL (3.5 mmol/L) is higher than the normal range of 2.2 to 2.6 millimoles per liter (mmol/L)1. Calcitriol and calcium carbonate are both medications used to increase calcium levels in the blood2. Since the client’s calcium level is already high, it would be important for the nurse to hold both medications and contact the healthcare provider for further instructions.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Gentamicin sulfate is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that can cause ototoxicity, which is damage to the inner ear leading to hearing loss or balance problems. Therefore, a decrease in hearing is an indication that the client may be experiencing an adverse eﬀect of gentamicin.

Option b, decreased blood urea nitrogen, is not an adverse eﬀect of gentamicin, but it may indicate improvement in kidney function, which can be a positive outcome of treatment.

Option c, a white blood cell count of 6,000/mm3 (6x109/L), is within the normal range and is not necessarily an adverse eﬀect of gentamicin.

Option d, photophobia, is not a common adverse eﬀect of gentamicin and may indicate a diﬀerent condition or medication eﬀect.

A. Advice the client that the medication should start to work in about 30 minutes. B. Administer a stool softener/laxative at the same time as the analgesic. C. Instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to the bathroom. D. Tell the client to notify the nurse if the pain is not relieved.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The correct answer is C. Instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to the bathroom.

Choice A reason:

Advise the client that the medication should start to work in about 30 minutes.

While it is important to inform the client about the onset of action of the medication, this is not the highest priority. Codeine, an opioid, can cause dizziness and sedation, which increases the risk of falls. Therefore, safety measures take precedence over informing the client about the medication’s onset time.

Choice B reason:

Administer a stool softener/laxative at the same time as the analgesic.

Opioids like codeine can cause constipation, so administering a stool softener or laxative is a good practice. However, this action is not the highest priority when considering the immediate safety of the client. Ensuring the client’s safety from potential falls due to dizziness or sedation is more urgent.

Choice C reason:

Instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to the bathroom.

This is the correct answer because codeine can cause dizziness, sedation, and orthostatic hypotension, increasing the risk of falls. Ensuring the client requests assistance when moving can prevent potential injuries, making it the highest priority nursing action.

Choice D reason:

Tell the client to notify the nurse if the pain is not relieved.

While it is important for the client to communicate about the effectiveness of pain relief, this is not the highest priority. The immediate concern is the client’s safety due to the sedative effects of codeine. Therefore, preventing falls and injuries takes precedence.

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Prior to administering oral doses of calcitriol and calcium carbonate to a client with hypoparathyroidism, the nurse notes that the total level of calcium is 14 mg/dL (3.5 mmol/L). Which action should the nurse implement?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A male client has been receiving the antibiotic gentamicin sulfate IV piggyback every 12 hours for several days. Which observations by the nurse indicate that the client may be experiencing an adverse eﬀect of gentamicin?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Which nursing action had the highest priority when administering a dose of codeine with acetaminophen to a client?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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Prior to administering oral doses of calcitriol and calcium carbonate to a client with hypoparathyroidism, the nurse notes that the total level of calcium is 14 mg/dL (3.5 mmol/L). Which action should the nurse implement?

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