Nursing Elites

1. A client with hypothyroidism is prescribed levothyroxine. What assessment finding suggests the medication is effective?

• A. Improved tolerance to cold.
• B. Decreased fatigue and improved energy levels.
• C. Reduced anxiety and improved mood.
• D. Increased sensitivity to heat.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Decreased fatigue and improved energy levels. Levothyroxine is a medication used to treat hypothyroidism by providing the body with the thyroid hormone it lacks. Therefore, a positive response to the medication would manifest as decreased fatigue and improved energy levels due to the correction of the thyroid hormone imbalance. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because improved tolerance to cold, reduced anxiety, and increased sensitivity to heat are not direct indicators of the effectiveness of levothyroxine in managing hypothyroidism.

2. A client reports dizziness when standing up quickly. What advice should the nurse give?

• A. Encourage the client to drink more fluids.
• B. Change positions slowly to prevent dizziness.
• C. Report the symptom to the healthcare provider immediately.
• D. Limit physical activity to avoid triggering dizziness.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct advice for a client experiencing dizziness when standing up quickly is to change positions slowly to prevent dizziness. This symptom is suggestive of postural hypotension, where a sudden change in position can lead to a drop in blood pressure, causing dizziness. Encouraging the client to drink more fluids (Choice A) may be beneficial for other conditions but is not directly related to the prevention of dizziness in this case. Reporting the symptom to the healthcare provider immediately (Choice C) is important if the dizziness is persistent or severe, but the immediate action to prevent it is to change positions slowly. Limiting physical activity (Choice D) may not necessarily address the underlying cause of dizziness in this context.

3. The nurse is caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. Which of the following actions should the nurse prioritize to prevent infection?

• A. Maintain a closed drainage system
• B. Cleanse the catheter insertion site daily
• C. Increase the client's fluid intake
• D. Empty the collection bag every 4 hours

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to maintain a closed drainage system. This action is crucial in preventing infection as it helps prevent bacteria from entering the urinary tract. While cleansing the catheter insertion site and ensuring adequate hydration are important aspects of catheter care, the top priority is maintaining the integrity of the closed system to prevent infection. Emptying the collection bag regularly is also important but not as critical as ensuring a closed drainage system to minimize infection risk.

4. A nurse is reviewing the medication list for a client with heart failure. Which medication should the nurse question?

• A. Furosemide
• B. Digoxin
• C. Ibuprofen
• D. Carvedilol

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), can cause fluid retention, which may worsen heart failure symptoms. It should be used with caution or avoided in clients with heart failure. Furosemide (choice A) is a diuretic commonly used in heart failure to reduce fluid overload. Digoxin (choice B) is a medication that helps the heart beat stronger and slower, often used in heart failure. Carvedilol (choice D) is a beta-blocker that is beneficial in heart failure management. Therefore, Ibuprofen is the medication that the nurse should question in this scenario.

5. The nurse is planning to administer two medications at 0900. Which property of the drugs indicates a need to monitor the client for toxicity?

• A. Short half-life
• B. High therapeutic index
• C. Highly protein-bound
• D. Low bioavailability

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, 'Highly protein-bound.' Drugs that are highly protein-bound can displace from protein-binding sites, leading to increased free drug levels in the blood, which can result in toxicity. Monitoring the client for toxicity is crucial when administering highly protein-bound drugs. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. A short half-life does not necessarily indicate a need for monitoring toxicity; a high therapeutic index indicates a wide safety margin between the effective dose and the toxic dose, reducing the risk of toxicity; low bioavailability refers to the fraction of the drug that reaches the systemic circulation unchanged and does not directly relate to the risk of toxicity.

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