Shortly after providing a new sleeping pill to a patient on the medical unit, the nurse answers the patient's call light. Which of the following findings would indicate to the nurse that the patient is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction to the medication?
The patient complains of shortness of breath
The patient reports feeling hot, and her face appears flushed.
The patient states that she feels nauseated and has a headache.
The patient complains of continued wakefulness and agitation.
The Correct Answer is A
A. The patient complains of shortness of breath: Shortness of breath is a hallmark symptom of an anaphylactic reaction. It indicates that the patient may be experiencing airway constriction, which is a medical emergency.
B. The patient reports feeling hot, and her face appears flushed: Flushing and a feeling of warmth can be early signs of an allergic reaction, but they are not specific to anaphylaxis. Other more severe symptoms would need to be present to diagnose anaphylaxis.
C. The patient states that she feels nauseated and has a headache: Nausea and headache are not typically associated with anaphylaxis. They may be side effects of the medication but are not indicative of an allergic reaction severe enough to cause anaphylaxis.
D. The patient complains of continued wakefulness and agitation: Continued wakefulness and agitation could be side effects of the sleeping pill but are not symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction. These symptoms do not require immediate emergency intervention like anaphylaxis would.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "It is difficult to tell if you will have this reaction again."
This statement is honest but not very reassuring. It doesn't offer guidance or potential solutions, which could leave the patient feeling anxious.
B. "This is a mild side effect and may not lead to additional side effects. If it were to occur, there may be ways to reduce the side effects." This response is appropriate because it acknowledges the patient's concern, provides reassurance, and offers the possibility of managing the side effects if they occur again. It balances the patient's worry with practical information.
C. "You should not take this medication again, as the same thing might happen."
This response is too definitive and may be inappropriate if the medication is important for the patient's treatment. It dismisses the possibility of managing the side effect.
D. "This is not a serious side effect, so there is no concern."
This response is dismissive of the patient's feelings and does not address their concerns adequately. It may make the patient feel their worries are being minimized.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Notify the charge nurse that patients may have received inappropriate medication dosages.
Jumping to conclusions about inappropriate dosages without first investigating the rationale for the dosing is premature and could cause unnecessary alarm.
B. Evaluate the laboratory values of each patient to determine liver and kidney function as a possible reason for decreased dosages. Lower dosages are often prescribed for older adults due to decreased liver and kidney function, which can affect drug metabolism and excretion. Evaluating lab values ensures that these dosages are appropriate and safe.
C. Do not worry about the discrepancy because this is not the nurse's unit.
Ignoring the discrepancy is not appropriate, as it’s important for all nurses to advocate for patient safety, regardless of the unit.
D. Call the nursing supervisor to investigate the nurse's concerns.
The nursing supervisor may need to be involved, but the first step is to review the relevant clinical data (lab values) to assess the situation.
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