Nursing Elites

1. A client has a new prescription for Prednisone. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?

• A. Serum potassium
• B. Serum calcium
• C. Serum sodium
• D. Serum glucose

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Serum glucose. Prednisone is a corticosteroid that can lead to hyperglycemia. Monitoring serum glucose levels is essential to assess for elevated blood sugar levels. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as Prednisone does not directly affect potassium, calcium, or sodium levels.

2. A client in a long-term care facility has Hypothyroidism and a new prescription for Levothyroxine. Which of the following dosage schedules should the nurse expect for this client?

• A. The client will start at a high dose, and the dose will be tapered as needed.
• B. The client will remain on the initial dosage during the course of treatment.
• C. The client's dosage will be adjusted daily based on blood levels.
• D. The client will start on a low dose, which will be gradually increased.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The nurse should expect that levothyroxine will be started at a low dose and gradually increased over several weeks. This cautious approach is crucial, especially in older adult clients, to prevent toxicity and ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes for managing hypothyroidism. Choice A is incorrect because starting at a high dose and tapering as needed is not the standard approach for levothyroxine. Choice B is incorrect because the initial dosage is typically adjusted to reach the optimal therapeutic dose. Choice C is incorrect as adjusting the dosage daily based on blood levels is not necessary for levothyroxine, as it has a long half-life and requires time to reach a steady state.

3. A client has a new prescription for Labetalol. Which of the following instructions should be provided?

• A. Take the medication with food.
• B. Monitor your blood glucose levels.
• C. Expect a rapid heart rate.
• D. Increase your intake of high-sodium foods.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Take the medication with food. Labetalol should be taken with food to increase absorption and reduce the risk of orthostatic hypotension. Taking it with food helps in better absorption and minimizes the potential drop in blood pressure when standing up, which can occur with this medication. Choice B is incorrect as Labetalol is not primarily associated with affecting blood glucose levels. Choice C is incorrect as Labetalol is a beta-blocker that would actually lower heart rate, not increase it. Choice D is incorrect because increasing intake of high-sodium foods could counteract the antihypertensive effects of Labetalol.

4. A client is starting a new prescription for levothyroxine. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Take the medication at bedtime.
• B. Take the medication with food.
• C. Take the medication first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
• D. Take the medication with a full glass of milk.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct instruction for taking levothyroxine is to take the medication first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. This timing is important for optimal absorption of the medication. Taking levothyroxine with food or at bedtime can interfere with its absorption. Milk and other foods, as well as certain medications, can reduce the effectiveness of levothyroxine by interfering with its absorption, so it should be taken separately from these items. Therefore, the correct choice is to take the medication first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

5. A client reports taking Aspirin about four times daily for a sprained wrist. Which of the following prescribed medications taken by the client is contraindicated with aspirin?

• A. Digoxin
• B. Metformin
• C. Warfarin
• D. Nitroglycerin

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Warfarin. Aspirin increases the effect of anticoagulants like warfarin by inhibiting platelet aggregation, leading to an increased risk of bleeding. Therefore, the use of aspirin is generally contraindicated for clients taking warfarin. Choices A, B, and D are not contraindicated with aspirin. Digoxin, Metformin, and Nitroglycerin do not have significant interactions with Aspirin, unlike Warfarin, making them safe to use concomitantly.

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