The practical nurse (PN) reviews instructions for use of polyethylene glycol with a client scheduled for a colonoscopy. Which instruction should the PN include?

Drink each glass of solution rapidly at regular specified time intervals

Dilute the liquid medication with fruit juice to mask the flavor

Drink the solution with the evening meal before the scheduled exam

Report the onset of watery diarrhea to the healthcare provider (HCP)

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

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.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Using an Amsler grid monitors macular degeneration, not sildenafil-related visual changes, which include color tinting or blurred vision due to PDE5 inhibition affecting retinal blood flow. This is not a standard monitoring tool for sildenafil side effects, making it inappropriate for this context.

Choice B reason: Instilling eye drops is irrelevant, as sildenafil’s visual changes are systemic, caused by its effect on retinal phosphodiesterase, not a local eye condition treatable with drops. No evidence supports eye drops for this side effect, making this choice incorrect and ineffective.

Choice C reason: Wearing dark glasses may reduce light sensitivity but does not address sildenafil’s visual side effects, like blue-green color distortion, caused by altered retinal signaling. This is a temporary, drug-induced effect, and glasses do not mitigate the underlying issue, making this choice inadequate.

Choice D reason: Reporting visual changes immediately is critical, as sildenafil can cause rare but serious effects like non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, impairing retinal blood flow. Prompt reporting allows the provider to assess severity, adjust dosing, or discontinue the drug to prevent permanent vision loss.

A. Appetite B. Sleep log C. Heart rate D. Daily weights

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Appetite changes may occur with levothyroxine due to metabolic effects, but they are not the most critical side effect. Excessive thyroid hormone can overstimulate metabolism, but cardiovascular effects, like tachycardia, are more immediate and dangerous, making appetite monitoring less urgent.

Choice B reason: Sleep disturbances may result from levothyroxine’s stimulatory effects, but they are less severe than cardiovascular risks. Overdose can cause insomnia by increasing metabolism, but heart rate is a more direct indicator of hyperthyroidism, which poses greater health risks, making this choice secondary.

Choice C reason: Heart rate is critical to monitor, as levothyroxine increases metabolism, potentially causing tachycardia or arrhythmias if overdosed. Excess thyroid hormone mimics hyperthyroidism, stressing the cardiovascular system, which can lead to palpitations or heart failure, making this the most important parameter for side effect detection.

Choice D reason: Daily weights track fluid or metabolic changes but are less specific for levothyroxine side effects. Weight loss may occur with excess dosing, but cardiovascular effects, like increased heart rate, are more immediate and life-threatening, requiring closer monitoring than weight fluctuations.

View Question and Answer

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

The practical nurse (PN) reviews instructions for use of polyethylene glycol with a client scheduled for a colonoscopy. Which instruction should the PN include?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client who is taking sildenafil 50 mg PO PRN reports experiencing visual changes to the practical nurse (PN). Which instruction should the PN give to the client?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The practical nurse (PN) is providing discharge instructions to a client who had a partial thyroidectomy. When explaining the actions of the prescribed thyroid supplement levothyroxine sodium, which parameter should the PN tell the client is most important to monitor for potential side effects?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The practical nurse assesses a client who is receiving carbamazepine for a seizure disorder. The client reports the onset of a sore throat. Which additional assessment data should the PN obtain before reporting to the charge nurse?

A client with depression who is taking a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) reports frequent early morning awakening and difficulty going back to sleep. Which information from the client is important for the practical nurse (PN) to obtain to improve the client’s sleep pattern?

The practical nurse (PN) administers filgrastim subcutaneous to a client with neutropenia. The client becomes troubled with bone pain. Which action should the PN take?

A client with overactive bladder starts a new prescription for oxybutynin. When assessing the client prior to medication administration, which finding should the practical nurse (PN) report to the charge nurse?

Which client information should the practical nurse (PN) obtain prior to preparing a dose of the influenza vaccine?

The practical nurse (PN) is reinforcing discharge instructions for a client with metastatic cancer who is prescribed morphine for bone pain. Which information from the client indicates to the PN an understanding of the medication?

A client is receiving tetracycline for chlamydia urethritis. The practical nurse (PN) should reinforce which instruction?

A client is receiving diazepam IV, a benzodiazepine anticonvulsant, for status epilepticus. Which intervention is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to implement?