The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client with costochondritis who is now experiencing increased discomfort in breathing. The client receives a prescription for meloxicam. Which intervention should the PN include in the client’s POC?
Ensure peak and trough serum levels are collected with the third medication dose
Reassess the client’s pain 30 minutes after medication administration
Observe the client daily for involuntary movements of the lips and tongue
Initiate strict intake and output measurements and record every shift
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Peak and trough levels are relevant for drugs like vancomycin, not meloxicam, an NSAID. Meloxicam’s efficacy is assessed clinically via pain reduction, not blood levels, as it inhibits inflammation-causing prostaglandins, making this choice irrelevant for costochondritis management.
Choice B reason: Reassessing pain 30 minutes after meloxicam administration evaluates its effectiveness, as this NSAID reduces cyclooxygenase activity, decreasing prostaglandin-mediated pain and inflammation in costochondritis. Timely reassessment ensures adequate relief, guiding further interventions for breathing discomfort, making this the appropriate intervention.
Choice C reason: Involuntary lip and tongue movements are linked to antipsychotics causing tardive dyskinesia, not meloxicam. This NSAID does not affect neurological pathways causing movement disorders. Monitoring for this is irrelevant, as meloxicam’s primary risks are gastrointestinal, not neurological.
Choice D reason: Strict intake and output monitoring is unnecessary for meloxicam, which targets inflammation, not fluid balance. While long-term use may affect renal function, pain reassessment is more immediate for costochondritis, making this choice less relevant than evaluating therapeutic pain relief.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Polyethylene glycol, a bowel prep for colonoscopy, requires rapid drinking at specified intervals to ensure effective colon cleansing. This osmotic laxative draws water into the bowel, promoting evacuation. Consistent, rapid intake ensures complete bowel clearance, critical for clear visualization during the procedure.
Choice B reason: Diluting polyethylene glycol with fruit juice is incorrect, as it may alter the solution’s osmotic balance, reducing efficacy. The preparation must remain undiluted to draw sufficient water into the colon for cleansing, making this instruction inappropriate for achieving a clear colonoscopy.
Choice C reason: Drinking polyethylene glycol with a meal is incorrect, as food can interfere with bowel cleansing. The solution is taken on an empty stomach, typically the day before the exam, to ensure the colon is clear, making this instruction counterproductive to the prep’s purpose.
Choice D reason: Watery diarrhea is the expected outcome of polyethylene glycol, not an adverse effect requiring reporting. It indicates effective bowel cleansing for colonoscopy. Instructing to report this normal response is unnecessary and may cause confusion, as diarrhea is the goal of the preparation.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Suggesting a snack after administering an incorrect insulin dose risks hypoglycemia, as 2 extra units can excessively lower blood glucose. Insulin dosing must match the glucose level per the sliding scale to prevent adverse effects, making this choice unsafe and reactive.
Choice B reason: Repeating the glucose level is unnecessary if the recorded level is reliable. The error lies in the drawn dose, not the glucose measurement. Correcting the dose to match the recorded glucose is more direct, as insulin dosing relies on accurate glucose data.
Choice C reason: Reducing the insulin dose by 2 units corrects the error, aligning with the sliding scale for the recorded glucose level. Excess insulin can cause hypoglycemia, affecting brain and organ function. This action ensures safe administration, preventing potentially severe metabolic consequences.
Choice D reason: Recording the discrepancy does not correct the dosing error and risks administering an unsafe dose. Documentation is secondary to ensuring the correct insulin amount is given, as 2 extra units could lead to hypoglycemia, requiring immediate correction, not just notation.
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.