The nurse is caring for a client taking valsartan for hypertension. For which adverse effect should the nurse monitor?
Productive cough
Hypotension
Respiratory depression
Hypokalemia
The Correct Answer is B
A. Productive cough: A persistent cough is commonly associated with ACE inhibitors, not angiotensin receptor blockers like valsartan. Clients taking valsartan rarely experience cough as a side effect.
B. Hypotension: Valsartan lowers blood pressure by blocking angiotensin II receptors, which can sometimes lead to excessive blood pressure reduction. Monitoring for hypotension, especially after the initial doses or in clients with volume depletion, is important to prevent dizziness, falls, or syncope.
C. Respiratory depression: Respiratory depression is not a known adverse effect of valsartan. The medication primarily affects the cardiovascular system without depressing the respiratory drive.
D. Hypokalemia: Unlike some diuretics, valsartan does not typically cause potassium loss. In fact, ARBs may slightly increase serum potassium levels, so hypokalemia is not a common concern with this drug.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Loratadine can interfere with the accuracy of the test: Loratadine is a second-generation antihistamine that blocks H1 receptors. Continuing the medication can suppress allergic responses, leading to false-negative results during allergy testing, which is why it must be discontinued several days beforehand.
B. Loratadine can cause increased sensitivity to allergens: Loratadine does not increase sensitivity to allergens. Its mechanism involves reducing the body’s allergic response, not enhancing it, so this is not a reason to stop the medication before testing.
C. Loratadine can cause hypotension during the allergy test: Loratadine does not significantly affect blood pressure. Hypotension is not a known effect of loratadine during allergy testing, so this is not a valid reason for discontinuation.
D. Loratadine can cause an allergic reaction during the test: Loratadine itself is unlikely to trigger an allergic reaction. The purpose of stopping the drug is to prevent interference with test results, not to prevent a reaction caused by the medication.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Clarify the order with the healthcare provider: The order for digoxin 25 mg IV is dangerously high and far exceeds the usual therapeutic dose (typically micrograms, not milligrams). The nurse must verify the order before administration to prevent life-threatening toxicity.
B. Listen to the apical pulse for one minute: While assessing the apical pulse is essential before administering digoxin to check for bradycardia, verifying the unusually high dose takes priority to ensure client safety.
C. Obtain a current blood pressure reading: Monitoring blood pressure is important because digoxin can affect cardiac output, but confirming the safety of the ordered dose comes before vital sign assessment in this scenario.
D. Ensure the client's IV site is patent: Ensuring IV patency is necessary for safe medication administration, but it is secondary to clarifying an unsafe order to prevent immediate harm to the client.
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