You are caring for a patient who takes an antiarrhythmic agent.
What would be the priority nursing assessment before administering this drug?
Assess pulses and blood pressure.
Assess breath sounds.
Assess mental status.
Assess urine output.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Assessing pulses and blood pressure is crucial before administering an antiarrhythmic agent because these drugs can affect heart rate and blood pressure, requiring close monitoring to prevent adverse effects.
Choice B rationale
While assessing breath sounds is important in overall patient care, it is not the priority before administering antiarrhythmic agents as these drugs primarily affect the cardiovascular system.
Choice C rationale
Assessing mental status is important in patient care, but it is not the priority before administering an antiarrhythmic agent, as these medications primarily influence cardiovascular parameters.
Choice D rationale
Assessing urine output is vital for monitoring kidney function and fluid balance, but it is not the priority before administering an antiarrhythmic agent, which mainly affects heart rhythm and blood pressure.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Administering amoxicillin when a patient has a known allergy to penicillin can result in a serious allergic reaction. It is important to avoid using any beta-lactam antibiotic in patients with a history of penicillin allergy.
Choice B rationale
Contacting the provider to discuss using a different antibiotic is the safest course of action. The provider can prescribe an alternative antibiotic that does not belong to the beta-lactam class, reducing the risk of an allergic reaction.
Choice C rationale
Asking the provider to order an antihistamine does not address the underlying risk of administering a beta-lactam antibiotic to a patient with a penicillin allergy. Antihistamines are used to manage allergic reactions, not to prevent them.
Choice D rationale
Requesting an order for a beta-lactamase resistant drug does not eliminate the risk of an allergic reaction, as these drugs still belong to the beta-lactam class and can trigger the same allergic responses in sensitive individuals.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Weight-bearing exercises are beneficial for cardiovascular health and bone density, and substituting them with yoga may not address the underlying factors contributing to hypertension.
Choice B rationale
Decreased fluid intake is not generally recommended as it can lead to dehydration, which may negatively impact blood pressure. Increased potassium intake is beneficial, but not reducing fluid intake.
Choice C rationale
Stress reduction is indeed beneficial for managing hypertension, but increased protein intake is not specifically indicated for lowering blood pressure and may have other health implications.
Choice D rationale
Weight reduction and decreased sodium intake are well-established lifestyle changes for managing hypertension. Reducing sodium helps lower blood pressure, and weight loss reduces the strain on the cardiovascular system.
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