The nurse is about to administer the combination medication chlorthalidone and atenolol to a client diagnosed with chronic hypertension. Which interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care? (Select all that apply)
Administer if the blood pressure is 90/60 and monitor for side effects
Hold if the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute
Teach to dangle feet before standing
Encourage to limit the intake of potassium-rich foods
Monitor fluid intake and output
Correct Answer : B,C,E
Choice A reason: Chlorthalidone and atenolol are used to treat hypertension⁴⁵. However, administering the medication when the blood pressure is 90/60 might not be advisable. This is because atenolol, a beta-blocker, can further lower the heart rate and blood pressure¹¹⁷. Therefore, it's important to monitor the patient's blood pressure before administration¹.
Choice B reason: Atenolol can slow the heart rate¹¹⁷. If the heart rate is already less than 60 beats per minute, which is the lower limit of the normal range¹, the medication should be held and the healthcare provider should be notified⁵.
Choice C reason: One of the side effects of atenolol and chlorthalidone is dizziness or lightheadedness¹¹⁷. Teaching the patient to dangle their feet before standing can help prevent orthostatic hypotension, a form of low blood pressure that happens when you stand up from sitting or lying down¹¹.
Choice D reason: Chlorthalidone is a diuretic that can cause the body to lose potassium¹¹⁷. However, atenolol does not have this effect⁵. Therefore, it's not necessary to limit the intake of potassium-rich foods unless advised by a healthcare provider.
Choice E reason: Monitoring fluid intake and output is important when administering diuretics like chlorthalidone⁵. This can help ensure the patient is not becoming dehydrated and help monitor the medication's effectiveness¹¹.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not the best answer. Respiratory rate and depth can indicate the client's oxygenation and ventilation, but not necessarily their fluid status. The client may have normal or increased respiratory rate and depth due to dehydration, acidosis, or anxiety, but this does not reflect their fluid volume or distribution. The nurse should monitor the client's respiratory rate and depth, but also assess other parameters of fluid status.
Choice B reason: This is not the best answer. Rectal temperature can indicate the client's core body temperature, but not necessarily their fluid status. The client may have normal or elevated rectal temperature due to infection, inflammation, or dehydration, but this does not reflect their fluid volume or distribution. The nurse should monitor the client's rectal temperature, but also assess other parameters of fluid status.
Choice C reason: This is the best answer. Blood pressure lying, sitting and standing can indicate the client's fluid status and vascular tone. The client may have low blood pressure due to fluid loss, hypovolemia, or vasodilation, and this can cause orthostatic hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure when changing positions. The nurse should measure the client's blood pressure in different positions and observe for signs of orthostatic hypotension, such as dizziness, fainting, or blurred vision.
Choice D reason: This is not the best answer. Pulse oximetry reading at rest can indicate the client's oxygen saturation, but not necessarily their fluid status. The client may have normal or decreased pulse oximetry reading due to hypoxia, anemia, or poor peripheral perfusion, but this does not reflect their fluid volume or distribution. The nurse should monitor the client's pulse oximetry reading, but also assess other parameters of fluid status.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Stopping the medication if the client develops a change in vision is not the information that the nurse should provide in the teaching about rosuvastatin. Rosuvastatin is a drug that lowers the cholesterol and prevents the complications of cardiovascular disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins, which work by inhibiting an enzyme that produces cholesterol in the liver. Change in vision is not a common or serious side effect of rosuvastatin, and it may be caused by other factors, such as eye strain, infection, or disease. The nurse should not advise the client to stop the medication without consulting the healthcare provider, as this may increase the risk of adverse outcomes, such as heart attack or stroke.
Choice B reason: Monitoring body weight weekly is not the information that the nurse should provide in the teaching about rosuvastatin. Rosuvastatin is a drug that lowers the cholesterol and prevents the complications of cardiovascular disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins, which work by inhibiting an enzyme that produces cholesterol in the liver. Body weight is not a direct indicator of the effectiveness or safety of rosuvastatin, and it may fluctuate due to various factors, such as diet, exercise, or fluid retention. The nurse should encourage the client to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle, but not to focus on the weekly changes in body weight.
Choice C reason: Reporting muscle weakness or pain is the information that the nurse should provide in the teaching about rosuvastatin. Rosuvastatin is a drug that lowers the cholesterol and prevents the complications of cardiovascular disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins, which work by inhibiting an enzyme that produces cholesterol in the liver. However, statins can also cause muscle damage, which can manifest as weakness, pain, tenderness, or cramps. This can be a sign of a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis, which is the breakdown of muscle tissue that can lead to kidney failure or death. The nurse should instruct the client to report any muscle symptoms to the healthcare provider as soon as possible, and to avoid taking any other drugs or supplements that may interact with rosuvastatin and increase the risk of muscle damage.
Choice D reason: Having biannual renal function studies is not the information that the nurse should provide in the teaching about rosuvastatin. Rosuvastatin is a drug that lowers the cholesterol and prevents the complications of cardiovascular disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins, which work by inhibiting an enzyme that produces cholesterol in the liver. Renal function studies are tests that measure the health and function of the kidneys, which are responsible for filtering the blood and removing waste and excess fluid. Rosuvastatin is not known to cause significant kidney damage, and it is excreted mainly by the liver. The nurse should not recommend the client to have biannual renal function studies, as this may be unnecessary and costly. The nurse should advise the client to follow the healthcare provider's orders regarding the frequency and type of laboratory tests that are needed to monitor the effects of rosuvastatin.
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