The nurse caring for a patient taking furosemide [Lasix] is reviewing the patient’s most recent laboratory results, which are: sodium, 136 mEq/L; potassium, 3.1 mEq/L; chloride, 100 mEq/L; blood urea nitrogen, 15 mg/dL. What is the nurse’s best action?

Administer Lasix as ordered

Place the patient on oxygen

Hold the Lasix and notify the physician

Begin a 24-hour urine collection

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, promotes potassium excretion, risking hypokalemia. The patient’s potassium level (3.1 mEq/L) is below normal (3.5-5.0 mEq/L), indicating hypokalemia, which can cause arrhythmias. Administering Lasix without addressing this could worsen the electrolyte imbalance, making this choice unsafe and incorrect.

Choice B reason: Oxygen administration addresses respiratory issues, not electrolyte imbalances like hypokalemia (3.1 mEq/L) caused by furosemide. There’s no indication of hypoxia in the lab results or scenario. This action doesn’t correct the potassium deficit or prevent further depletion, making it irrelevant and incorrect.

Choice C reason: Furosemide exacerbates hypokalemia (patient’s potassium: 3.1 mEq/L), risking cardiac arrhythmias or muscle weakness. Holding the dose prevents further potassium loss, and notifying the physician allows for correction (e.g., potassium supplements) and reassessment of therapy, making this the safest and most appropriate action.

Choice D reason: A 24-hour urine collection assesses renal function or output but doesn’t address the immediate concern of hypokalemia (3.1 mEq/L) caused by furosemide. This test is irrelevant to correcting the electrolyte imbalance or preventing further depletion, making it an inappropriate action in this scenario.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Trade names are brand-specific (e.g., Tylenol for acetaminophen). N-acetyl-para-aminophenol is the chemical structure name, not a marketed brand. Trade names are proprietary and vary by manufacturer, while chemical names describe molecular composition, making this choice incorrect for the given term.

Choice B reason: Proprietary names are brand names owned by manufacturers (e.g., Advil for ibuprofen). N-acetyl-para-aminophenol is the chemical name for acetaminophen, not a proprietary or trade name, which is used for marketing purposes, making this choice incorrect for the drug’s nomenclature.

Choice C reason: Generic names are non-proprietary, like acetaminophen for N-acetyl-para-aminophenol. The term given is the chemical name, describing the molecular structure, not the standardized generic name used in clinical practice, making this choice incorrect for classifying N-acetyl-para-aminophenol.

Choice D reason: N-acetyl-para-aminophenol is the chemical name for acetaminophen, describing its molecular structure (an acetyl group on a para-aminophenol backbone). Chemical names are used in scientific contexts, distinct from generic or trade names, making this the correct choice for the drug’s nomenclature.

A. Respiratory Acidosis B. Metabolic Alkalosis C. Metabolic Acidosis D. Respiratory Alkalosis

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Respiratory acidosis involves low pH and high PaCO2. Normal PaCO2 (44) and low HCO3- (12) point to metabolic acidosis, not respiratory, so this incorrect.

Choice B reason: Metabolic alkalosis has high pH and HCO3-. Low pH (7.31) and low HCO3- (12) rule this out, indicating metabolic acidosis, so this is incorrect.

Choice C reason: Low pH (7.31) and low HCO3- (12) with normal PaCO2 confirm metabolic acidosis, where acid accumulation lowers pH. This matches, making it the correct choice.

Choice D reason: Respiratory alkalosis has high pH and low PaCO2. Low pH and normal PaCO2 exclude this, pointing to metabolic acidosis, so this is incorrect.

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

The nurse caring for a patient taking furosemide [Lasix] is reviewing the patient’s most recent laboratory results, which are: sodium, 136 mEq/L; potassium, 3.1 mEq/L; chloride, 100 mEq/L; blood urea nitrogen, 15 mg/dL. What is the nurse’s best action?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

N-acetyl-para-aminophenol is an example of which type of drug name?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Name the following Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) values: pH 7.31, PaCO2 44, HCO3- 12

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Which are effective ways to help prevent medication errors? (Select all that apply)

A patient is taking a beta 1-adrenergic drug to improve the stroke volume of the heart. The nurse caring for this patient knows that this drug acts by increasing:

Which statement about food and drug interactions is true?

A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of breath, a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal retractions, and frothy, pink sputum. The nurse caring for this patient will expect to administer which drug?

A patient begins taking an ACE inhibitor and complains of a dry cough. What does the nurse correctly tell the patient about this symptom?

Name the imbalance using the following Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) values: pH 7.32, PaCO2 <37, HCO3- <24

A patient has had blood pressures of 150/95 and 148/90 mm Hg on two separate office visits. The patient reports a blood pressure of 145/92 mm Hg taken in an ambulatory setting. The patient’s diagnostic tests are all normal. The nurse will expect this patient’s provider to order

Name the imbalance using the following Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) values: pH 7.31, PaCO2 41, HCO3- 20