The nurse provides teaching about methotrexate to a client with rheumatoid arthritis. It is most important to address which topic regarding this drug?
Risk for infection
Need for sunblock
Need for an eye examination
Risk for developing esophagitis
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Methotrexate is an immunosuppressive drug commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. One of the most important topics to address when teaching a patient about methotrexate is the risk for infection. Methotrexate can suppress the immune system, making patients more susceptible to infections. Patients should be educated on the signs and symptoms of infection, the importance of maintaining good hygiene, avoiding contact with sick individuals, and reporting any signs of infection to their healthcare provider promptly. This helps in early detection and management of infections, which can be severe in immunocompromised patients.
Choice B reason: The need for sunblock is important for patients taking certain medications that cause photosensitivity, but methotrexate is not typically associated with a high risk of photosensitivity. While sun protection is generally advisable, it is not the most critical teaching point for methotrexate.
Choice C reason: The need for an eye examination is crucial for patients taking medications like hydroxychloroquine, which can affect the eyes. However, methotrexate does not commonly require routine eye examinations, making this a lower priority in patient education.
Choice D reason: The risk for developing esophagitis is more relevant for patients taking medications that can cause irritation or damage to the esophagus, such as bisphosphonates. While methotrexate can cause gastrointestinal side effects, esophagitis is not a primary concern, making this less critical compared to the risk of infection.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: There is not a 25% chance that the offspring will be a carrier. In the case of recessive disorders, if one parent is affected (homozygous recessive) and the other parent is a carrier (heterozygous), the offspring has a different probability of being a carrier or affected.
Choice B reason: There is a 50% chance that the offspring will be a carrier. If the mother is affected (aa) and the father is a carrier (Aa), each child has a 50% chance of inheriting one recessive allele (a) from the mother and one normal allele (A) from the father, making them a carrier (Aa).
Choice C reason: There is not a 75% chance that the offspring will be a carrier. The probability of the offspring being a carrier or affected follows specific Mendelian inheritance patterns, which do not result in a 75% carrier rate.
Choice D reason: There is not a 100% chance that the offspring will be a carrier. While there is a significant likelihood of the offspring being affected or a carrier, it is not guaranteed that all offspring will be carriers.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Hyperkalemia, or elevated potassium levels in the blood, is not typically seen in patients with SIADH. SIADH is primarily characterized by water retention and the resultant dilution of electrolytes, most notably sodium. Potassium levels are not directly affected by the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) abnormalities present in SIADH, and thus hyperkalemia is not an expected finding.
Choice B reason: Hypokalemia, which refers to low potassium levels in the blood, is also not a characteristic feature of SIADH. While potassium imbalances can occur due to a variety of conditions and medications, they are not the hallmark of SIADH. The syndrome's primary effect on electrolyte balance involves sodium, not potassium.
Choice C reason: Hyponatremia, or low sodium levels in the blood, is the defining feature of SIADH. In this condition, excessive secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) leads to increased water reabsorption in the kidneys. This excess water dilutes the sodium in the bloodstream, leading to hyponatremia. The resulting imbalance can cause symptoms ranging from mild (such as headache and nausea) to severe (such as seizures and altered mental status), depending on the degree of sodium depletion.
Choice D reason: Hypercalcemia, or high calcium levels in the blood, is not associated with SIADH. The condition of SIADH affects water and sodium balance due to inappropriate ADH secretion but does not typically influence calcium levels. Hypercalcemia can be seen in other conditions, such as hyperparathyroidism or malignancies, but it is not related to the pathophysiology of SIADH.
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