Nursing Elites

1. A client is starting therapy with Atenolol. Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct the client to monitor?

• A. Tachycardia
• B. Hypoglycemia
• C. Bradycardia
• D. Hypertension

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Atenolol is a beta-blocker that can cause bradycardia as an adverse effect due to its mechanism of action in slowing down the heart rate. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor their pulse regularly and report any significant decreases to prevent complications related to bradycardia.

2. A client has a new prescription for Atorvastatin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice.
• B. Take the medication with your evening meal.
• C. Increase your intake of leafy green vegetables.
• D. Stop taking the medication if you experience muscle pain.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Avoid drinking grapefruit juice.' Grapefruit juice should be avoided when taking Atorvastatin because it can increase the blood levels of the medication, potentially leading to a higher risk of adverse effects like muscle pain and liver damage. It is important to follow this instruction to ensure the safe and effective use of Atorvastatin. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Taking Atorvastatin with food, specifically a low-fat meal, is recommended, but it is not necessary to specify the evening meal. While increasing intake of leafy green vegetables is generally beneficial for health, it is not a specific instruction for Atorvastatin. Lastly, stopping the medication if one experiences muscle pain is not advisable without consulting a healthcare provider, as muscle pain can be a symptom of a serious side effect of Atorvastatin that requires medical attention.

3. When caring for a client prescribed Lithium, which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to assess for potential toxicity?

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

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The nurse should monitor the client's serum lithium levels to ensure they are within the therapeutic range and to assess for potential toxicity. Monitoring serum lithium levels is crucial because lithium has a narrow therapeutic range, and levels outside this range can lead to toxicity, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, regular monitoring is essential to prevent adverse effects and ensure the medication's effectiveness.

4. A client is prescribed gentamicin for an infection. Which finding indicates a potential adverse reaction to the medication?

• A. Blood pressure 160/90 mm Hg
• B. Presence of red blood cells in the urine
• C. Urine output of 35 mL/hr
• D. Respiratory rate of 22/min

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The presence of red blood cells in the urine is a significant finding that can indicate nephrotoxicity, a potential adverse effect of gentamicin. Nephrotoxicity can lead to kidney damage, and monitoring for this adverse reaction is crucial during gentamicin therapy. Elevated blood pressure (Choice A) is not typically associated with gentamicin adverse reactions. Decreased urine output (Choice C) may suggest kidney impairment but is not as specific as the presence of red blood cells in the urine. Respiratory rate (Choice D) is not directly related to potential adverse reactions to gentamicin.

5. Why does a nurse on an oncology unit verify a client's current cumulative lifetime dose of doxorubicin before administering it to a client with breast cancer?

• A. Excessive doxorubicin can result in myelosuppression.
• B. Exceeding the lifetime cumulative dose limit of doxorubicin may lead to extravasation.
• C. An excess amount of doxorubicin can lead to cardiomyopathy.
• D. Exceeding the lifetime cumulative dose limit of doxorubicin may cause red-tinged urine and sweat.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Verifying the client's current cumulative lifetime dose of doxorubicin is necessary because excessive amounts of the medication can lead to cardiomyopathy, a serious and potentially life-threatening side effect. By monitoring the cumulative dose, healthcare providers can help prevent cardiotoxicity and ensure patient safety during treatment.

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