The nurse prepares to administer a scheduled dose of labetalol PO to a client with hypertension. The client's vital signs are a temperature of 99° F (37.2° C), a heart rate of 48 beats/minute, respirations of 16 breaths/minute, and a blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse take?

Assess for orthostatic hypotension before administering the dose.

Administer the dose and monitor the client's blood pressure regularly.

Withhold the scheduled dose and notify the healthcare provider.

Apply a telemetry monitor before administering the dose.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A) Assessing for orthostatic hypotension is important when administering medications that can lower blood pressure, but in this scenario, the vital signs indicate bradycardia (heart rate of 48 beats/minute), which may be a contraindication for administering labetalol. Therefore, withholding the dose and notifying the healthcare provider is the priority.

B) Administering the dose and monitoring the client's blood pressure regularly could potentially worsen bradycardia and hypotension, especially given the client's current vital signs. It is safer to withhold the dose and seek guidance from the healthcare provider.

C) Withholding the scheduled dose and notifying the healthcare provider is the most appropriate action in this situation. The client's bradycardia, along with the hypertension, raises concern about the safety of administering labetalol without further assessment and possible adjustment of the treatment plan.

D) Applying a telemetry monitor may be warranted if the client's bradycardia is of concern, but it does not address the potential risk associated with administering labetalol to a client with a heart rate of 48 beats/minute. The priority is to withhold the medication and inform the healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A) Evaluate the client's ability to recognize the urge to defecate: Assessing the client's ability to recognize the urge to defecate is important for promoting independence in toileting. However, this assessment may not directly indicate the need for administering a laxative. It is more relevant for clients who are able to ambulate or have control over their bowel movements.

B) Determine the frequency and consistency of bowel movements: Assessing the frequency and consistency of bowel movements provides valuable information about the client's bowel function and helps determine the need for a laxative. It allows the nurse to establish a baseline and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Understanding the client's typical bowel pattern is crucial before administering a laxative to avoid overmedication or potential complications such as diarrhea or fecal impaction.

C) Observe the skin integrity of the client's rectal and sacral areas: Assessing skin integrity in the rectal and sacral areas is crucial for preventing pressure ulcers, especially in bedfast clients. However, it is not directly related to the need for administering a laxative.

D) Assess the client's strength in moving and turning in the bed: While assessing the client's strength and mobility is important for overall care and prevention of complications related to immobility, it may not be directly related to the need for administering a laxative. This assessment is more relevant for preventing complications such as pressure ulcers and maintaining musculoskeletal function.

A. Begin cardioversion to stabilize heart rhythm. B. Give digoxin by another route to slow absorption. C. Administer potassium to stabilize the heart rate. D. Check acid-base and electrolyte values.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Begin cardioversion to stabilize heart rhythm: Cardioversion is not the appropriate intervention for digoxin toxicity. Digoxin toxicity can cause arrhythmias, but the initial action should be to assess and manage the underlying cause, rather than immediately proceeding to cardioversion.

B) Give digoxin by another route to slow absorption: Slowing the absorption of digoxin is not the appropriate action for treating digoxin toxicity. Instead, the focus should be on managing the existing toxicity and preventing further absorption by withholding additional doses.

C) Administer potassium to stabilize the heart rate: While potassium may be indicated as part of the treatment for digoxin toxicity, particularly if hypokalemia is contributing to the toxicity, it is not the initial action. The priority is to assess the client’s acid-base and electrolyte values to identify any abnormalities contributing to the toxicity.

D) Check acid-base and electrolyte values: This is the correct action. Digoxin toxicity can be exacerbated by electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, and hypomagnesemia. Therefore, assessing the client’s acid-base and electrolyte values is essential to identify and correct any abnormalities contributing to the toxicity. Once identified, appropriate interventions can be implemented to manage the toxicity and stabilize the client’s condition.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Before administering a laxative to a bedfast client, it is most important for the nurse to perform which assessment?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The nurse is reviewing the client’s laboratory results. Based on a client’s serum digoxin level, the client is diagnosed with digoxin toxicity. Which action should the nurse expect to implement?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Which instruction should the nurse include when teaching a client about self-administration of a bulk-forming laxative?

Before administering the initial dose of sumatriptan succinate to a client with a migraine headache, it is most important to determine if the client's hi’tory includes which problem?

A female client who is starting a new prescription for doxycycline hyclate tells the nurse that she takes birth control pills. Which action should the nurse take?

A client with cystitis receives a prescription for phenazopyridine. Which information should the nurse explain to the client about its therapeutic effect?

A client with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is scheduled to receive doses of pantoprazole IV and sucralfate PO before breakfast at 0730. The client reports experiencing heartburn when the nurse brings the scheduled medications. Which action should the nurse take?

A client with a history of smoking cigarettes for many years arrives to the clinic and expresses a desire to stop smoking. The client receives a prescription for bupropion to reduce nicotine cravings. Which information should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?

A male client has been receiving the antibiotic gentamicin sulfate, IV piggyback every 12 hours for several days. Which observation by the nurse indicates that the client may be experiencing an adverse effect of gentamicin? Reference Range: White Blood Cell [5000 to 10,000/mm3 (5 to 10 x 10%)]