a patient with heart failure is prescribed digoxin what is the most important instruction the nurse should provide
Logo

Nursing Elites

ATI LPN

ATI Learning System PN Medical Surgical Final Quizlet

1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. What is the most important instruction the nurse should provide?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Report any visual disturbances.' Patients taking digoxin should be instructed to report any visual disturbances, as this can be a sign of digoxin toxicity. Visual disturbances like changes in color vision, blurred vision, or seeing halos around lights can indicate an overdose of digoxin. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Instructing a patient to take an extra dose if they miss one can lead to overdose. Avoiding high-potassium foods is important for patients on potassium-sparing diuretics, not digoxin. Stopping the medication if the pulse is normal is incorrect, as the pulse rate alone is not an indicator of digoxin effectiveness or toxicity.

2. The client was recently diagnosed with chronic gastritis. What health practice should the nurse address when teaching the client to limit exacerbations of the disease?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Avoiding aspirin is crucial in managing chronic gastritis as it can further irritate the stomach lining, leading to exacerbations of the condition. Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can increase stomach acid production, potentially worsening gastritis symptoms. Therefore, the nurse should educate the client on using alternative pain or fever relief methods that are less likely to aggravate gastritis, such as acetaminophen.

3. While assessing a client with diabetes mellitus, the nurse observes an absence of hair growth on the client's legs. What additional assessment provides further data to support this finding?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The absence of hair growth on the legs in a client with diabetes mellitus can be indicative of poor circulation due to compromised blood flow. Assessing the appearance of the skin on the client's legs is crucial as it can reveal additional signs of impaired circulation, such as changes in color, temperature, and the presence of ulcers or wounds. This information aids in the comprehensive evaluation of the client's vascular status and guides appropriate interventions to prevent potential complications.

4. A client with liver cirrhosis is prescribed lactulose. What is the purpose of this medication?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Lactulose is prescribed to reduce ammonia levels in clients with liver cirrhosis. Elevated ammonia levels can lead to hepatic encephalopathy, a serious complication of liver cirrhosis. Lactulose works by acidifying the colon, which in turn traps ammonia in the colon and helps its elimination from the body through stool, thereby reducing the risk of hepatic encephalopathy. Choice A is incorrect because lactulose does not lower blood sugar levels. Choice C is incorrect as lactulose is not used to treat liver inflammation. Choice D is incorrect as lactulose does not improve bile flow.

5. What instructions should the nurse give to a patient with cervical cancer who is planned to receive external-beam radiation to prevent complications from the effects of the radiation?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a patient with cervical cancer is receiving external-beam radiation, the radiation to the abdomen can affect organs in its path, such as the bowel, leading to complications like frequent diarrhea. Cleaning the perianal area carefully after each bowel movement is crucial to decrease the risk of skin breakdown and infection. Testing stools for blood is not necessary since inflammation associated with radiation may lead to occult blood in stools. Maintaining a low-residue diet is actually recommended to prevent bowel irritation. Radiation to the abdomen does not cause stomatitis, so inspecting the mouth and throat for thrush is not directly related to the effects of external-beam radiation in this context.

Similar Questions

A 60-year-old woman presents with fatigue, pruritus, and jaundice. Laboratory tests reveal elevated bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A client is admitted with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely?
A client admitted with a diagnosis of sepsis has a central venous pressure (CVP) of 15 mm Hg. What should the nurse do first?
The client with newly diagnosed osteoporosis is being taught by the nurse about dietary modifications. Which instruction should the nurse include?
What should be monitored to evaluate the effectiveness of enoxaparin in a patient with deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

Access More Features

ATI LPN Basic
$69.99/ 30 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All ATI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

ATI LPN Premium
$149.99/ 90 days

  • 5,000 Questions with answers
  • All ATI courses Coverage
  • 30 days access

Other Courses