The nurse is caring for a patient newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism who has a new prescription for levothyroxine 50 mcg orally.
Which interventions will the nurse include in the plan of care? Select All That Apply.
Administer the medication in the morning with breakfast.
Monitor for chest pain or symptoms of angina.
Monitor prothrombin time for patients taking warfarin.
Stop the medication if patient has arrhythmias.
Decrease the dose of any sedative agents.
Correct Answer : B,C,E
Choice A rationale
Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, typically 30-60 minutes before breakfast, to ensure proper absorption. Taking it with food can interfere with its effectiveness.
Choice B rationale
Monitoring for chest pain or symptoms of angina is crucial as levothyroxine can increase the heart rate and potentially exacerbate pre-existing heart conditions, especially in elderly patients.
Choice C rationale
Monitoring prothrombin time is important for patients taking warfarin because levothyroxine can enhance the anticoagulant effect of warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding.
Choice D rationale
Stopping levothyroxine abruptly can cause severe hypothyroid symptoms, so it should not be discontinued without consulting a healthcare provider.
Choice E rationale
Hypothyroidism patients are often more sensitive to sedatives, so reducing the dose of any sedative agents can prevent excessive sedation and other adverse effects. .
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Pain from mucositis and oral tissue injury is a significant concern for patients undergoing chemotherapy. However, it is not typically life-threatening and can be managed with appropriate pain relief measures and oral care.
Choice B rationale
Weakness and fatigue with activity are common side effects of chemotherapy and the disease process itself. While these symptoms impact the patient's quality of life, they do not usually require urgent intervention.
Choice C rationale
Blood pressure of 90/64 mmHg, pulse of 102 beats per minute, and oral temperature of 38.5 degrees Celsius suggest possible sepsis or severe infection. These vital signs indicate an urgent need for intervention to prevent further deterioration and potentially life-threatening complications.
Choice D rationale
Scattered ecchymosis and petechiae are signs of thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), which is a common complication of leukemia and its treatment. While important to monitor and manage, these findings are not typically as urgent as signs of sepsis or severe infection.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Thyroid storm is a severe complication of hyperthyroidism and is characterized by high fever, tachycardia, and altered mental state, not carpopedal spasm.
Choice B rationale
Homans sign is an indicator of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and is not related to carpopedal spasms observed here.
Choice C rationale
Trousseau sign is a clinical sign of latent tetany seen in patients with hypocalcemia, characterized by carpopedal spasm when blood flow is occluded.
Choice D rationale
Chvostek sign is another sign of hypocalcemia, but it is indicated by facial muscle contraction when tapping the facial nerve, not carpopedal spasm.
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