A client with unstable angina pectoris receives a prescription for nitroglycerin 0.4 mg sublingually PRN chest pain every 5 minutes x3. The prescription directions include leaving the medication at the bedside for self-administration. Which assessment finding should the practical nurse (PN) obtain first?
Number of tablets taken in past 24 hours.
Level of orientation and compliance.
Heart rate and blood pressure.
Hourly urinary output and daily weight.
The Correct Answer is B
A. While knowing the number of tablets taken is important for managing chest pain, it is secondary to ensuring that the client can safely administer the medication.
B. Assessing the client's level of orientation and compliance is crucial because the client needs to understand how and when to use the nitroglycerin properly. Misunderstanding or non-compliance could lead to ineffective treatment or potential harm.
C. Checking heart rate and blood pressure is important for assessing the effects of nitroglycerin, but before leaving the medication for self-administration, it is vital to ensure that the client understands how to use the medication.
D. Monitoring hourly urinary output and daily weight is not relevant to the immediate concern of ensuring safe and effective nitroglycerin self-administration.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["B","D","E"]
Explanation
A. Subdural hemorrhage
The head CT was negative for bleeding or edema, making a subdural hemorrhage unlikely.
B. Respiratory distress
Given the history of drowning and the current signs of respiratory acidosis (pH 7.31, PaCO2 51), the child is at high risk for respiratory complications, including distress.
C. Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia is not a typical immediate complication following drowning in cool water, and the current body temperature of the child is within the normal range.
D. Cerebral edema
Although the initial CT scan is negative for edema, secondary cerebral edema can develop hours after the incident, especially in cases of significant hypoxemia.
E. Acute asphyxia
The initial incident of drowning and the resultant hypoxemia (as indicated by abnormal blood gases) place the child at risk for complications related to acute asphyxia.
F. Hypertension
The child's blood pressure is currently within normal limits, and hypertension is not a common immediate complication following drowning.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Placing a biohazard bag over the basin and sealing it is not appropriate because the specimen should have been collected directly into a sterile container, and the specimen's current state in a non-sterile basin is not acceptable for lab analysis.
B. Assisting the client in obtaining another specimen is necessary to avoid cross contamination.
C. Using a wooden applicator to place the sputum specimen in a sterile container is the incorrect as it breaches sterility.
D. Applying gloves and placing the tissue and specimen in a container is incorrect as the specimen must be in a sterile container from the start. Using a non-sterile basin means the specimen might be contaminated.
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