The nurse administers psyllium to a client diagnosed with constipation. What outcome best demonstrates therapeutic effects?
The client's bowel sounds are reduced.
The client remains free of diarrhea.
The client has two to three bowel movements daily.
The bulk of the client's stools is increased.
The Correct Answer is D
A. The client's bowel sounds are reduced: Decreased bowel sounds may indicate slowed intestinal motility, which is not a desired effect of psyllium. Normal or active bowel sounds would be more consistent with the therapeutic goal of increased peristalsis and bowel regularity.
B. The client remains free of diarrhea: Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative that normalizes stool consistency. While avoiding diarrhea is beneficial, the absence of diarrhea alone does not confirm the medication is effectively treating constipation or achieving its full therapeutic effect.
C. The client has two to three bowel movements daily: While this frequency may be acceptable for some clients, it is not the primary therapeutic target of psyllium. Psyllium works by absorbing water and increasing stool bulk, and frequency can vary depending on individual bowel patterns.
D. The bulk of the client's stools is increased: Psyllium functions by forming a gel-like mass when mixed with water, which increases stool bulk and triggers peristalsis. This outcome directly reflects the expected therapeutic effect and is the best indicator that the medication is working properly.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. a lack of dyspepsia: While symptom relief is important, the primary therapeutic goal of the omeprazole and amoxicillin regimen is eradication of H. pylori. Dyspepsia can resolve temporarily with acid suppression alone and does not confirm that the underlying infection has been treated.
B. no gastroesophageal reflux: Omeprazole may help reduce reflux symptoms due to its acid-suppressing effects, but this is not a primary indicator of treatment success in peptic ulcer disease caused by H. pylori.
C. increased appetite and absence of nausea: Improved appetite and reduced nausea may occur as symptoms resolve, but they are nonspecific. These signs do not definitively confirm that H. pylori, the causative agent of many ulcers, has been successfully eradicated.
D. absence of Helicobacter pylori: The purpose of combining omeprazole (a proton pump inhibitor) with amoxicillin (an antibiotic) is to eliminate H. pylori. Confirming its absence through follow-up testing (e.g., urea breath test, stool antigen test) is the most reliable measure of therapeutic success.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. diazole oral: There is no widely used hypoglycemia treatment called "diazole."
B. glyburide oral: Glyburide is an oral hypoglycemic agent used to lower blood glucose in clients with type 2 diabetes. Administering it during a hypoglycemic crisis would worsen the condition by further reducing glucose levels.
C. glucagon intravenous injection: Glucagon stimulates glycogen breakdown in the liver, raising blood glucose levels rapidly. For a glucose level as low as 19 mg/dL, immediate IV administration is warranted when IV dextrose is unavailable or if rapid response is needed in an unconscious patient.
D. insulin subcutaneous injection: Insulin administration in a hypoglycemic patient would exacerbate the condition, potentially leading to seizures, coma, or death. Insulin is contraindicated in hypoglycemia and should never be given in such a situation.
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