The nurse takes a patient's vital signs prior to giving metoprolol tartrate and obtains the following results: T 98 degrees F, P 48, R 16 bpm, BP 100/50 and a pulse oximeter of 98%. What action will the nurse take?
Continue to administer the metoprolol tartrate as ordered.
Ask the patient if her pulse is within the normal range
Hold the medication and call the provider
Ask the patient to eat salty foods
The Correct Answer is C
A. Continue to administer the metoprolol tartrate as ordered:
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker commonly used to treat hypertension, angina, and heart failure. One of its main effects is to decrease heart rate and blood pressure. In this scenario, the patient's vital signs reveal a low heart rate (48 bpm) and relatively low blood pressure (100/50 mmHg). Given that metoprolol can further reduce heart rate and blood pressure, it would be prudent for the nurse to withhold the medication until further assessment is conducted.
B. Ask the patient if her pulse is within the normal range:
While it's essential to assess the patient's understanding of her condition, asking if her pulse is within the normal range is not sufficient. The nurse should perform a more thorough assessment and consider the clinical significance of the vital signs obtained. In this case, a heart rate of 48 bpm is lower than the typical normal range for adults (60-100 bpm), indicating bradycardia, which may be symptomatic or concerning in the context of administering a beta-blocker like metoprolol.
C. Hold the medication and call the provider:
Given the patient's low heart rate (bradycardia) and relatively low blood pressure, holding the metoprolol tartrate and contacting the healthcare provider is the most appropriate action. Bradycardia and hypotension can be signs of excessive beta-blockade, especially with medications like metoprolol, which can further lower heart rate and blood pressure. The nurse should notify the provider promptly to discuss the patient's condition and determine the appropriate course of action.
D. Ask the patient to eat salty foods:
Encouraging the patient to eat salty foods would not address the underlying issue of bradycardia and hypotension. While increasing salt intake may help raise blood pressure in some cases, it is not a standard intervention for managing symptomatic bradycardia or low blood pressure caused by medication effects.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Muscle cramps: While muscle cramps can occur with hypertension, they are not specific indicators of target organ damage. Muscle cramps are more commonly associated with electrolyte imbalances or peripheral vascular disease.
B. Bounding pulses: Bounding pulses can indicate increased stroke volume and cardiac output, which may occur in response to chronic hypertension. However, they are not direct indicators of target organ damage.
C. Vision changes: Vision changes, such as blurred vision or vision loss, can be indicative of hypertensive retinopathy, a complication of chronic hypertension affecting the blood vessels in the retina. These changes may manifest as decreased visual acuity, floaters, or even sudden vision loss and are considered signs of target organ damage.
D. Increased energy: Increased energy is not typically associated with target organ damage in the context of chronic hypertension. It may be a result of various factors unrelated to hypertension, such as improved sleep quality or changes in lifestyle habits.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Avoid alcohol for the first 3 weeks: Avoiding alcohol may be advisable for patients with hepatitis A to prevent additional strain on the liver. However, it is not specifically related to preventing transmission of the infection to others. Therefore, it is not a transmission measure typically included in discharge instructions for the patient's family.
B. Avoid handling patient's leftover foods: Hepatitis A is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route, often via contaminated food or water. By avoiding handling the patient's leftover foods, the risk of transmitting the virus to family members through contaminated food is minimized. This measure helps prevent the spread of infection within the household.
C. Have family members get an injection of immunoglobulin: Immunoglobulin may be administered to individuals who have been exposed to hepatitis A to provide passive immunity and reduce the severity of the illness. However, this measure is typically recommended for individuals who have not been previously vaccinated against hepatitis A and have been in close contact with an infected person, rather than as a general preventive measure for all family members.
D. Follow a low-protein, low carbohydrate diet: While maintaining a healthy diet is important for overall health, there is no specific dietary recommendation related to protein or carbohydrate intake for patients with hepatitis A. Therefore, this measure is not directly related to preventing transmission of the infection to others and would not typically be included in discharge instructions for the patient's family.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.