The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia as the result of a gastrointestinal (GI) bleed. What discharge instruction should the nurse provide if this client is also prescribed aspirin 81 mg daily?
Take a baby aspirin with a full glass of cold water at bedtime.
You can take 81 mg of enteric coated aspirin with orange juice at lunch time.
It's ok to take the aspirin with some ginseng tea in the evening.
Take the aspirin with a glass of milk or food in the morning.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Taking a baby aspirin with a full glass of cold water at bedtime is not a good discharge instruction for this client. Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding, especially in the stomach and intestines. ¹ Taking aspirin at bedtime may increase the exposure of the GI mucosa to the drug and worsen the bleeding. ² Cold water may also irritate the stomach lining and cause discomfort.
Choice B reason: Taking 81 mg of enteric coated aspirin with orange juice at lunch time is not a good discharge instruction for this client. Enteric coated aspirin is designed to dissolve in the small intestine, not the stomach, to reduce the risk of GI bleeding. ³ However, orange juice is acidic and may damage the coating and release the aspirin in the stomach. ⁴ This may increase the bleeding and cause pain or ulcers.
Choice C reason: Taking the aspirin with some ginseng tea in the evening is not a good discharge instruction for this client. Ginseng is an herbal supplement that may interact with aspirin and increase the risk of bleeding. ⁵ Taking the aspirin in the evening may also have the same drawbacks as taking it at bedtime, as explained in choice A.
Choice D reason: Taking the aspirin with a glass of milk or food in the morning is the best discharge instruction for this client. Milk and food can help protect the stomach lining from the irritating effects of aspirin and reduce the risk of bleeding. Taking the aspirin in the morning can also minimize the exposure of the GI mucosa to the drug during the night, when the stomach is empty and more vulnerable. ²
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: The Schilling test is not used to diagnose G6PD anemia, which is a genetic disorder that causes red blood cells to break down when exposed to certain substances. The Schilling test is used to measure how well the body absorbs vitamin B12 from the intestine. ¹²
Choice B reason: The Schilling test does not require the patient to be NPO (nothing by mouth) for 12 hours prior to the test. The patient can drink water, but should avoid food for 8 hours before the test. ²
Choice C reason: The Schilling test is a 24-hour urine specimen collection test. The patient is given a dose of radioactive vitamin B12 by mouth and another dose of nonradioactive vitamin B12 by injection. The urine is collected for 24 hours to measure how much of the radioactive vitamin B12 is excreted. This indicates how well the body absorbs vitamin B12 from the intestine. ¹²
Choice D reason: The Schilling test does not entail administration of methylcellulose prior to the test. Methylcellulose is a type of laxative that can interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12. The patient should avoid taking any laxatives, antacids, or antibiotics before the test. ²³
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Glucose of 110 mg/dL is not a finding that indicates digoxin toxicity. It is a normal blood glucose level for a fasting or non-fasting client.
Choice B reason: Potassium of 3.0 mEq/L is a finding that indicates digoxin toxicity. It is a low serum potassium level, which increases the risk of digoxin toxicity by enhancing the binding of digoxin to cardiac cells. The nurse should monitor the client for signs and symptoms of digoxin toxicity, such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fatigue, confusion, visual disturbances, and cardiac arrhythmias.
Choice C reason: Calcium of 9.0 mg/dL is not a finding that indicates digoxin toxicity. It is a normal serum calcium level for an adult client.
Choice D reason: Sodium of 133 mEq/L is not a finding that indicates digoxin toxicity. It is a slightly low serum sodium level, which may indicate hyponatremia, but not digoxin toxicity.
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