A client who is reaching saturation with medication reports the onset of muscle soreness and fatigue, and the practical nurse (PN) notes that the client's skin is warm to the touch.

Which action by the PN is a priority?

Administer a PRN dose of acetaminophen.

Encourage the client to drink ﬂuids.

Report the findings to the charge nurse.

Monitor the client's serum lipid levels.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

This is the priority action by the practical nurse (PN) because it can help identify and prevent a potential adverse reaction to the medication. A client who is reaching saturation with medication means that the client has reached the maximum level of medication in the blood that can produce the desired therapeutic eﬀect. However, this also means that the client is at a higher risk of developing toxicity or side eﬀects from the medication. The PN should report the findings of muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin to the charge nurse, as these may indicate signs of inﬂammation, infection, or allergic reaction to the medication. The PN should also monitor the client's vital signs, oxygen saturation, and laboratory values, and document the findings. The charge nurse should notify the health care provider and adjust the medication dosage or regimen as ordered.

a) Administer a PRN dose of acetaminophen.

This is not the priority action by the PN because it does not address the underlying cause of the client's symptoms. Acetaminophen is an analgesic and antipyretic medication that can help reduce pain and fever. However, it does not treat inﬂammation, infection, or allergy, which may be the reasons for the client's muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin. The PN should administer a PRN dose of acetaminophen only after reporting the findings to the charge nurse and obtaining an order from the health care provider.

b) Encourage the client to drink ﬂuids.

This is not the priority action by the PN because it does not address the underlying cause of the client's symptoms. Drinking ﬂuids can help maintain hydration and electrolyte balance in the body, which are important for normal functioning of cells and organs. However, it does not treat inﬂammation, infection, or allergy, which may be the reasons for the client's muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin. The PN should encourage the client to drink ﬂuids only after reporting the findings to the charge nurse and obtaining an order from the health care provider.

d) Monitor the client's serum lipid levels.

This is not the priority action by the PN because it is not related to the client's symptoms. Serum lipid levels are measures of fats and cholesterol in the blood, which are important for energy production, hormone synthesis, and cell membrane structure. However, they are not related to inﬂammation, infection, or allergy, which may be the reasons for the client's muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin. The PN should monitor the client's serum lipid levels only if they are prescribed a medication that can aﬀect lipid metabolism, such as statins or fibrates.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Checking the client's temperature is important for assessing the client's condition, but it is not a priority before administering penicillin G IV for meningitis.

Choice B rationale:

Assessing the client's level of consciousness is essential for monitoring neurological status, but it is not the highest priority action before administering penicillin G IV for meningitis.

Choice C rationale:

Asking the client about any history of allergies is important for assessing potential allergic reactions to medications. However, the most critical action before administering penicillin G IV for meningitis is to obtain a blood sample for culture and sensitivity. This action helps identify the causative organism and guides appropriate antibiotic therapy, as meningitis can be life-threatening and requires prompt treatment.

Choice D rationale:

Obtaining a blood sample for culture and sensitivity is the highest priority action before administering penicillin G IV for meningitis. Identifying the specific pathogen responsible for the infection is crucial for selecting the most effective antibiotic therapy and preventing complications.

A. Metabolic alkalosis. B. Respiratory alkalosis. C. Metabolic acidosis. D. Respiratory acidosis.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Metabolic alkalosis is unlikely in this scenario because the client is experiencing anxiety, fear, and hyperventilation, which typically result in increased respiratory rate, leading to the loss of carbon dioxide (CO2) through exhalation. This loss of CO2 would cause a decrease in bicarbonate (HCO3-) levels and result in metabolic acidosis, not metabolic alkalosis.

Choice B rationale:

Respiratory alkalosis occurs when there is excessive loss of CO2 due to hyperventilation, as seen in this client's case. However, the primary disturbance here is metabolic in nature. The hyperventilation is the body's response to compensate for the underlying metabolic acidosis by attempting to blow off CO2 to increase pH. Therefore, metabolic acidosis is the primary imbalance.

Choice D rationale:

Respiratory acidosis is characterized by increased levels of CO2 in the blood due to inadequate ventilation. In this scenario, the client is hyperventilating, which would lead to a decrease in CO2 levels and not an increase, as seen in respiratory acidosis. Additionally, the primary acid-base disturbance is metabolic acidosis in this case.

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A client who is reaching saturation with medication reports the onset of muscle soreness and fatigue, and the practical nurse (PN) notes that the client's skin is warm to the touch. Which action by the PN is a priority?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The provider orders penicillin G IV for this client. Before administering the medication, which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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A client who is reaching saturation with medication reports the onset of muscle soreness and fatigue, and the practical nurse (PN) notes that the client's skin is warm to the touch.

Which action by the PN is a priority?