Which information is essential for the nurse to evaluate after a medication is administered to a patient?
Dose of medication administered.
The time the medication is to be administered.
Patient allergies to medications.
Therapeutic effect on the patient.
The Correct Answer is D
This question evaluates the nurse's role in the evaluation phase of the nursing process following medication administration. It requires understanding that assessing clinical outcomes is essential to determine whether the intended therapeutic goals have been achieved or if adjustments to the plan of care are required.
Choice A rationale
While recording the dose administered is a component of accurate documentation and medication safety, evaluating the actual therapeutic response is the most important step to determine if the clinical intervention successfully met the patient's specific health needs.
Choice B rationale
The time of administration is a required element of medication documentation to ensure patient safety and adherence to a schedule. However, it does not provide any information regarding the patient's clinical response or the effectiveness of the drug.
Choice C rationale
Assessing for patient allergies is a critical safety step that must be performed prior to any medication administration. Evaluating this after administration is too late to prevent an adverse drug reaction and does not assess clinical therapeutic efficacy.
Choice D rationale
The primary purpose of medication therapy is to achieve a specific physiological change. Evaluating the therapeutic effect allows the nurse to confirm the drug's success in managing the patient's symptoms and guides future decisions regarding ongoing pharmacological treatment plans.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
This question addresses a critical pharmacological contraindication involving phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. It requires applying safety knowledge regarding systemic vasodilation, as the combination of sildenafil and nitrates can lead to severe, refractory, and potentially fatal hypotension by potentiating the cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway in vascular smooth muscle.
Choice A rationale
Epinephrine is a sympathomimetic drug used for anaphylaxis and cardiac support. It does not have a direct, life-threatening pharmacodynamic interaction with sildenafil. While caution is always prudent with cardiac medications, it is not a direct contraindication for phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor use.
Choice B rationale
Sumatriptan is a serotonin agonist used for migraines. It is not contraindicated with sildenafil therapy. Patients can safely use both medications, as there is no known pharmacological mechanism where these two drugs interact to cause severe systemic hemodynamic instability or other dangerous adverse events.
Choice C rationale
Sildenafil and nitroglycerin both increase cyclic guanosine monophosphate, leading to profound vasodilation. Combining these drugs causes severe, life-threatening hypotension that is often refractory to treatment. Therefore, the nurse must always ask if the patient is taking nitrates before administering sildenafil.
Choice D rationale
Testosterone is a hormone used for replacement therapy and does not interact with sildenafil to cause dangerous hemodynamic changes. While side effects can exist, there is no clinical contraindication for the combined use of these medications in a patient undergoing appropriate therapy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This question assesses knowledge of normal physiological changes associated with aging. The nurse must apply this information to tailor education strategies, ensuring that the plan accounts for cognitive shifts, such as memory changes, to maximize the patient's comprehension and retention of complex medication regimens.
Choice A rationale
Aging is associated with a decrease in auditory acuity, known as presbycusis, rather than an increase in sound conduction. Sensory changes are expected in older adults, requiring the nurse to speak clearly and face the patient during educational sessions.
Choice B rationale
General intellectual ability does not necessarily decrease with age. While processing speed may slow slightly, cognitive function remains stable. Assuming a decrease in intellectual ability is a stereotypic approach that can lead to ineffective or patronizing communication with patients.
Choice C rationale
Older adults may face increased difficulty in maintaining sustained concentration due to various factors, such as sensory overload or chronic fatigue. Increased ability to concentrate is not a characteristic of aging, making it an incorrect consideration for planning patient education.
Choice D rationale
Aging is often associated with a decline in short-term memory function. The nurse should utilize written materials, large-print resources, and simplified, frequent teaching sessions to assist the older adult in retaining the critical information needed for safe medication adherence.
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