What is the nurse's role when a client experiences an adverse drug event?

Wait for the healthcare provider to assess the situation

Discontinue the medication immediately and report the event.

Adjust the dosage based on the adverse effects noted.

Continue administering the medication to observe the full effect.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Wait for the healthcare provider to assess the situation: Delaying action can worsen the client’s condition. Nurses have a responsibility to intervene promptly when an adverse drug event occurs to prevent harm. Immediate response is critical.

B. Discontinue the medication immediately and report the event: Stopping the medication prevents further harm from the adverse effect, and reporting ensures proper documentation, evaluation, and follow-up by the healthcare team. This aligns with safe nursing practice and patient safety standards.

C. Adjust the dosage based on the adverse effects noted: Nurses cannot independently change prescribed dosages. Dosage adjustments must be ordered by a healthcare provider. Self-adjusting could result in under- or overdosing.

D. Continue administering the medication to observe the full effect: Continuing a medication during an adverse drug event can increase the risk of serious complications or toxicity. Observation is important, but it must occur after the medication is held or discontinued, not while the adverse effect is ongoing.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Hypertension, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia:While thiazide diuretics can cause hypokalemia, hypertension and hyperglycemia are not primary indicators of digoxin toxicity. These symptoms reflect metabolic or cardiovascular issues unrelated to digoxin toxicity.

B. Headache, muscle weakness, joint pain:These are nonspecific symptoms and are not classic signs of digoxin toxicity. They may indicate other conditions but do not reliably signal digoxin overdose.

C. Vision disturbances, nausea, vomiting, and confusion:Digoxin toxicity commonly presents with gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting), neurological changes (confusion), and visual disturbances (blurred or yellow vision, halos). Monitoring for these signs is crucial, especially when hypokalemia from thiazide diuretics increases the risk of toxicity.

D. Shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness:These symptoms may indicate cardiac issues such as angina or arrhythmias but are not the hallmark signs of digoxin toxicity. While arrhythmias can occur, the classic early signs are GI, visual, and neurological.

A. Open the medications packaging and place it in the patients hand. B. Verify the patient's name and date of birth with their wristband. C. Assess the patient's oxygenation saturation. D. Document administration of the medication

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Open the medication’s packaging and place it in the patient’s hand: This step occurs after verifying the patient and ensuring the correct medication. Administering before identification risks giving the wrong drug to the wrong patient.

B. Verify the patient’s name and date of birth with their wristband: Patient identification is the first and most critical step in medication administration. Confirming identity ensures the “right patient” safety principle is met before any other action.

C. Assess the patient’s oxygenation saturation: While assessing baseline status may be relevant for certain medications, cyclobenzaprine’s priority safety concern is patient identification, as it is primarily a sedating muscle relaxant.

D. Document administration of the medication: Documentation occurs after administering the drug, not before. Premature documentation would violate safe medication administration practices.

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What is the nurse's role when a client experiences an adverse drug event?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient is prescribed thiazide diuretics and digoxin concurrently. The nurse should educate the patient on the signs and symptoms of digoxin toxicity. Which of the following signs and symptoms would the nurse expect the patient to experience if digoxin toxicity occurs?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse has entered the room and is prepared to administer cyclobenzaprine for the patient's reported muscle spasms. From the actions below, which best demonstrates the first action the nurse should take?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client about to begin chemotherapy and has a history of severe nausea and vomiting as a result. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering prophylactically to best prevent nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy?

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A patient prescribed the benzodiazepine alprazolam for anxiety reports to the nurse that they consume alcohol heavily on weekends. Which statement made by the nurse is important education the patient should receive before beginning their new medication?

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A patient with iron deficiency anemia has been prescribed ferrous sulfate. What is the expected pharmacologic action of ferrous sulfate?

A nurse is preparing to administer ferrous sulfate to a patient. For which condition is the nurse administering this medication for?

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