The prescriber orders furosemide 80 mg for a patient who has been retaining extra fluid after surgery. The nurse notes the following: BP of 142/88 (lying) and 108/60 (sitting); daily weight of 154 lb, a 1-lb drop from day before; serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L.
What should the nurse do?
Administer medication.
Contact provider.
Hold medication
Give potassium supplement
The Correct Answer is B
The nurse should contact the provider before administering furosemide because the patient has a low serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L, which is below the normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. Furosemide is a diuretic that can cause potassium loss and worsen hypokalemia, which can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, and fatigue. The nurse should also monitor the patient’s blood pressure, weight, and urine output, as furosemide can lower blood pressure and cause dehydration.
Choice A. Administer medication is wrong because the nurse should not give furosemide without checking with the provider first, as it could be harmful to the patient with low potassium.
Choice C. Hold medication is wrong because the nurse should not withhold furosemide without a valid reason or an order from the provider, as it could cause fluid overload and worsen the patient’s condition.
Choice D. Give potassium supplement is wrong because the nurse should not give potassium supplement without an order from the provider, as it could cause hyperkalemia or interact with other medications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Nitrates are a class of drugs that help to widen the blood vessels and increase blood flow to the heart muscle, which reduces the chest pain or discomfort caused by angina.Nitrates can be taken as a mouth spray or tablets that dissolve under the tongue during an angina attack, or as a preventive measure before physical activity.
Choice A is wrong because fatty oxidase enzyme inhibitors are not a real class of drugs.
Fatty acid oxidation is a process that breaks down fats for energy, and it is not related to angina treatment.
Choice B is wrong because beta adrenergic blockers are not the main class of drugs for angina treatment, although they can be used to prevent angina attacks by slowing down the heart rate and reducing the blood pressure.
Beta blockers block the effects of epinephrine (adrenaline) on the heart and blood vessels, which reduces the oxygen demand of the heart.
Choice D is wrong because statins are not used to treat angina attacks, but to lower the cholesterol levels in the blood and prevent plaque buildup in the arteries.
Statins can help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people with angina, but they do not relieve angina symptoms.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This is because a PTT (partial thromboplastin time) test measures how long it takes for blood to clot. A normal PTT range is between 25 to 35 seconds. If the patient’s PTT is too long and greater than 80 seconds, it means their blood is taking too long to clot and they are at risk of bleeding excessively. The nurse should notify the doctor and expect an order to hold the dose of heparin, a type of anticoagulant that prevents blood clots by prolonging the PTT.
Choice A is wrong because continuing with the same dosage of heparin would not correct the prolonged PTT and could cause more bleeding problems for the patient.
Choice C is wrong because increasing the dosage of heparin would further prolong the PTT and increase the risk of bleeding.
Choice D is wrong because decreasing the dosage of heparin would not be enough to bring the PTT back to normal range and would still pose a bleeding risk for the patient.
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