While evaluating a patient who has been taking acetaminophen for chronic pain, the nurse notices that the patient’s skin appears yellow.
What action should the nurse take in response to this observation?

Suggest the patient to reduce the dosage of the medication.

Check the patient’s capillary glucose level.

Use a pulse oximeter to assess the patient’s oxygen saturation.

Report the observation to the healthcare provider.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A rationale

While reducing the dosage of a medication might be appropriate in some cases, it’s not the best initial action when a patient’s skin appears yellow. Yellowing of the skin, or jaundice, can be a sign of liver damage, which can be a serious side effect of acetaminophen. The healthcare provider should be notified before any changes are made to the medication regimen.

Choice B rationale

Checking the patient’s capillary glucose level would not be the most appropriate response to the observation of yellow skin. While it’s important to monitor glucose levels in patients with certain conditions, such as diabetes, it would not provide information about potential liver damage, the likely cause of the patient’s yellow skin.

Choice C rationale

Using a pulse oximeter to assess the patient’s oxygen saturation would not provide information about the cause of the patient’s yellow skin. While it’s an important assessment in many situations, it would not help in identifying potential liver damage from acetaminophen use.

Choice D rationale

This is the most appropriate action. Yellowing of the skin can be a sign of liver damage, a potential side effect of acetaminophen. The healthcare provider should be notified of this observation as soon as possible for further evaluation and management.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale

While a thyroid function test could be relevant in some cases, it is not the most pertinent in this situation. The symptoms described by the patient do not suggest a thyroid issue.

Choice B rationale

The symptoms described by the patient, such as fatigue, nausea, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin and sclera, are indicative of liver dysfunction. Albendazole is primarily metabolized in the liver, and its use can cause liver damage in some cases. Therefore, a liver function test would be the most appropriate laboratory result to review.

Choice C rationale

While a renal function panel could be relevant in some cases, it is not the most pertinent in this situation. The symptoms described by the patient do not suggest a kidney issue.

Choice D rationale

A basic metabolic panel could provide useful information about various aspects of the patient’s health, but it is not the most relevant test given the patient’s symptoms and medication.

A. Praise the patient for her healthy lifestyle and encourage her to maintain her current dietary habits. B. Assure the patient that her dietary choices will enhance the effectiveness of the medication in preventing blood clots. C. Inform the patient that her healthcare provider needs to be informed about her current diet. D. Recommend that the patient substitutes the leafy vegetables with a protein source like nuts or beans.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale

While maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet is generally beneficial, consuming large amounts of leafy green vegetables, which are high in vitamin K, can interfere with the effectiveness of warfarin, a medication that works by inhibiting the action of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. Therefore, praising the patient for her healthy lifestyle without addressing the potential interaction between her diet and medication could lead to suboptimal treatment outcomes.

Choice B rationale

This statement is misleading. While a healthy diet can contribute to overall health and well- being, the patient’s dietary choices, specifically her daily consumption of leafy green

vegetables, could actually decrease the effectiveness of warfarin. Warfarin’s ability to prevent blood clots is dependent on a consistent intake of vitamin K67.

Choice C rationale

This is the most appropriate response. The healthcare provider should be informed about the patient’s current diet because it could impact the effectiveness of warfarin. The provider may need to adjust the dose of warfarin or provide additional dietary guidance to ensure the medication works as intended.

Choice D rationale

While this might seem like a reasonable suggestion, it’s important to remember that dietary changes should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider or a dietitian. Substituting leafy green vegetables with other protein sources may not be necessary or appropriate depending on the patient’s overall diet, nutritional needs, and personal preferences.

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While evaluating a patient who has been taking acetaminophen for chronic pain, the nurse notices that the patient’s skin appears yellow.What action should the nurse take in response to this observation?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient who is taking albendazole reports experiencing fatigue, nausea, and dark urine. The nurse observes a yellowing of the patient’s skin and sclera.Which laboratory result should the nurse review?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A female patient who follows a vegetarian diet has recently been prescribed warfarin. She mentions that she consumes leafy green vegetables daily.What should be the nurse’s response?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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While evaluating a patient who has been taking acetaminophen for chronic pain, the nurse notices that the patient’s skin appears yellow.
What action should the nurse take in response to this observation?