The practical nurse (PN) administers a skeletal muscle relaxant to a client with left leg pain. Which assessment provides data related to the effectiveness of the medication?
Range of motion
Capillary refill
Dependent edema
Skin temperature
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Range of motion assesses muscle relaxant effectiveness, as these drugs, like cyclobenzaprine, reduce muscle spasms by acting on the central nervous system, relieving pain and improving mobility. Increased leg movement indicates reduced spasm and pain, directly reflecting the drug’s therapeutic action.
Choice B reason: Capillary refill evaluates perfusion, not muscle relaxation. Muscle relaxants target spasms, not vascular status. While pain may indirectly affect circulation, capillary refill does not measure the drug’s primary effect on muscle function, making this choice irrelevant.
Choice C reason: Dependent edema reflects fluid status, not muscle relaxant efficacy. These drugs reduce muscle tension, not swelling. Edema is unrelated to leg pain from spasms, and muscle relaxants do not affect fluid dynamics, making this choice inappropriate for assessment.
Choice D reason: Skin temperature may indicate inflammation or circulation but is not specific to muscle relaxant effects. These drugs alleviate spasms, improving mobility, not temperature. Range of motion directly measures spasm relief, making this choice less relevant for evaluating the medication’s impact.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Reassuring that neutropenia causes bone pain is incorrect, as the pain is a side effect of filgrastim, not neutropenia. Filgrastim stimulates bone marrow, causing medullary expansion and pain. Misattributing the cause fails to address the drug’s effect, making this choice inappropriate.
Choice B reason: Preparing a variance report is unnecessary, as bone pain is a known filgrastim side effect, not an error. Filgrastim increases neutrophil production, stressing bone marrow and causing pain. Reporting is not the priority; managing the client’s discomfort is more immediate and appropriate.
Choice C reason: Changing the injection site does not alleviate bone pain, as it results from filgrastim’s systemic effect on bone marrow stimulation, not local irritation. Pain is due to increased hematopoiesis in marrow, not the injection itself, making this choice ineffective for addressing the symptom.
Choice D reason: Offering a PRN analgesic addresses bone pain, a common filgrastim side effect caused by bone marrow expansion from stimulated neutrophil production. Analgesics relieve discomfort without altering the drug’s therapeutic effect, making this the most appropriate action to improve client comfort and adherence.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Observing the client’s ability to open the pill box ensures accessibility but does not address nitroglycerin’s stability. Nitroglycerin degrades when exposed to air, light, or plastic, reducing potency. The original container is critical for maintaining efficacy, making this choice secondary.
Choice B reason: Nitroglycerin must be stored in its original amber glass container to protect it from light, air, and moisture, which degrade its potency. Plastic pill boxes allow exposure, reducing effectiveness for angina relief. Explaining this ensures the client maintains the drug’s therapeutic integrity.
Choice C reason: Reminding the client to refresh nitroglycerin every 30 days is relevant due to its short shelf life, but the priority is proper storage. Without the original container, even fresh pills lose potency, making this choice less critical than ensuring correct storage conditions.
Choice D reason: Labeling the pill box improves usability but does not address nitroglycerin’s stability. Plastic containers expose the drug to air and light, reducing efficacy. Proper storage in the original container is more critical to ensure the drug remains effective for emergency use.
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