A client with pneumonia who has an emergent episode of respiratory distress is intubated and transferred to the intensive care unit. The client's chest x-ray shows consolidation in the left lobe, and physical assessment reveals diminished lung sounds. The nurse administers acetylcysteine as prescribed per nebulization via endotracheal tube. Which therapeutic response of this medication should the nurse expect?

Bronchodilation and wheezing.

Unpleasant smell when using the medication.

Increased sputum, requiring suctioning.

Hypotension.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice C reason: Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic agent that breaks down mucus and makes it easier to cough up or suction out. This helps to clear the airways and improve oxygenation. The nurse should expect to see increased sputum production after administering acetylcysteine and provide frequent suctioning as needed.

Choice A reason: Bronchodilation and wheezing are not therapeutic responses of acetylcysteine, but rather possible adverse effects. Acetylcysteine can cause bronchospasm or bronchoconstriction in some clients, especially those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should monitor the client's breath sounds and oxygen saturation and report any signs of respiratory distress.

Choice B reason: Unpleasant smell when using the medication is not a therapeutic response of acetylcysteine, but rather a common side effect. Acetylcysteine has a rotten egg odor that can be unpleasant for both the client and the nurse. The nurse can minimize this by using a mouthwash or a flavored lozenge before and after administering acetylcysteine.

Choice D reason: Hypotension is not a therapeutic response of acetylcysteine, but rather a rare but serious adverse effect. Acetylcysteine can cause vasodilation or hypovolemia in some clients, leading to low blood pressure and shock. The nurse should monitor the client's vital signs and report any signs of hypotension.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice C reason: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a cation-exchange resin that binds to potassium in the intestine and removes it from the body through the stool. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is used to treat hyperkalemia, or high potassium level, which can be caused by AKI, certain medications, or other conditions. Hyperkalemia can cause cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, paralysis, or death. The normal range of potassium for adults is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L). Therefore, a decrease in potassium from above normal to within normal indicates that sodium polystyrene sulfonate has been effective in lowering potassium level and preventing complications. The nurse should monitor the client's serum potassium level regularly and adjust the dose of sodium polystyrene sulfonate as needed.

Choice A reason: Hemoglobin level of 13.5 g/dL (135 g/L) is not a laboratory finding that indicates that the medication has been effective, but rather a normal value that reflects the amount of oxygen-carrying protein in the blood. Hemoglobin is not affected by sodium polystyrene sulfonate or potassium level. The normal range of hemoglobin for adults is 12 to 16 g/dL (120 to 160 g/L). Therefore, a hemoglobin level of 13.5 g/dL does not indicate any change or improvement in the client's condition.

Choice B reason: Serum glucose level of 120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L) is not a laboratory finding that indicates that the medication has been effective, but rather a slightly elevated value that reflects the amount of sugar in the blood. Glucose is not affected by sodium polystyrene sulfonate or potassium level. The normal range of glucose for adults is 74 to 106 mg/dL (4.1 to 5.9 mmol/L). Therefore, a serum glucose level of 120 mg/dL may indicate impaired glucose metabolism or diabetes mellitus, but not the effectiveness of sodium polystyrene sulfonate.

Choice D reason: Serum ammonia level of 30 mg/dL (17.62 µmol/L) is not a laboratory finding that indicates that the medication has been effective, but rather a normal value that reflects the amount of nitrogen waste in the blood. Ammonia is not affected by sodium polystyrene sulfonate or potassium level. The normal range of ammonia for adults is 10 to 80 mg/dL (6 to 47 µmol/L). Therefore, a serum ammonia level of 30 mg/dL does not indicate any change or improvement in the client's condition.

A. Encourage an increase in oral intake. B. Measure the client's urinary output. C. Explain that color change is normal. D. Obtain a specimen for a urine culture.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Encouraging an increase in oral intake is not necessary in this situation, as dark urine is not a sign of dehydration or fluid imbalance. Dark urine may be caused by certain foods, medications, or medical conditions, but it does not indicate a need for more fluids.

Choice B reason: Measuring the client's urinary output is not relevant to this situation, as dark urine is not a sign of urinary retention or obstruction. Urinary output may vary depending on fluid intake, activity level, or other factors, but it does not reflect urine color.

Choice C reason: Explaining that color change is normal is the appropriate action to take, as dark urine is a common and harmless side effect of carbidopa/levodopa, which is a combination drug used to treat Parkinson's disease by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. Carbidopa/levodopa can cause urine to turn brown, black, or red, but this does not affect the function or health of the kidneys or bladder.

Choice D reason: Obtaining a specimen for a urine culture is not necessary in this situation, as dark urine is not a sign of infection or inflammation. A urine culture may be indicated if the client has symptoms such as fever, pain, burning, frequency, or urgency, but it does not diagnose urine color

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client with Parkinson's disease who is taking carbidopa/levodopa reports that urine appears to be darker in color. Which action should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

When administering medications to a group of clients, which client should the nurse closely monitor for development of acute kidney injury (AKI)?

The nurse is providing instructions about a client's new medications. How should the nurse explain the purpose of probenecid, a uricosuric drug?

The nurse is caring for a client who has been taking ibuprofen. Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?

On admission, the healthcare provider prescribes a broad spectrum antibiotic for a client with a gram-negative infection. Before administering the first dose, it is most important for the nurse to implement which prescription?

The nurse receives a prescription for ciprofloxacin 400 mg intravenously (IV) every 12 hours to be infused over an hour. The IV bag contains ciprofloxacin 400 mg in dextrose 5% in water (D5W) 200 mL. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Enter numerical value only.)

A client in the surgical recovery area asks the nurse to bring the largest possible dose of pain medication available. Which action should the nurse implement first?

A client receives a new prescription for levothyroxine. Which statement made by client indicates to the nurse that education was effective?

A female client who is a vegetarian has a new prescription for warfarin. The client states she eats leafy green vegetables every day. How should the nurse respond?