A female client who is admitted to the mental health unit for opiate dependency is receiving clonidine 0.1 mg by mouth (PO) for withdrawal symptoms.

The client begins to complain of feeling nervous and tells the nurse that her bones are itching.

Which finding should the nurse identify as a contraindication for administering the medication?

Hypertension.

Apical heart rate 72 beats/minute.

Muscle weakness.

Blood pressure 90/76 mm Hg.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

The correct answer is Choice D.

Choice A rationale:

Hypertension is not a contraindication for administering clonidine. In fact, clonidine is often used to treat hypertension. It works by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in your blood, allowing your blood vessels to relax and your heart to beat more slowly and easily.

Choice B rationale:

An apical heart rate of 72 beats/minute is within the normal range (60-100 beats/minute) and would not be a contraindication for administering clonidine. Clonidine can lower heart rate, so it’s important to monitor heart rate, but a normal heart rate does not preclude its use.

Choice C rationale:

Muscle weakness is not a specific contraindication for the use of clonidine. While muscle weakness can be a side effect of many medications, it is not typically associated with clonidine. However, if a patient was experiencing severe or unusual muscle weakness, it would be important for the healthcare provider to evaluate this symptom.

Choice D rationale:

A blood pressure of 90/76 mm Hg could be a contraindication for the use of clonidine. Clonidine is a medication that is used to lower blood pressure, and if a patient’s blood pressure is already low, further lowering it could lead to symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, or even shock. Therefore, it would be important to monitor the patient’s blood pressure closely while they are taking this medication.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

The combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole has a synergistic effect, which means that the two drugs work together to inhibit bacterial growth more effectively than either drug alone. This combination is commonly used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by susceptible bacteria.

Choice B rationale:

The combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole does not have an additive effect that reduces the dosage and frequency of administration of each drug. Instead, it is prescribed as a fixed combination with specific dosages of each drug.

Choice C rationale:

The combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole does not have an antagonistic effect that prevents the development of resistance to either drug. In fact, the combination is chosen because it covers a broader spectrum of bacteria and reduces the likelihood of resistance development.

Choice D rationale:

The combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole does not have a selective effect that targets only the bacteria causing the UTI and spares the normal flora. It affects a wide range of bacteria, including both pathogenic and normal flora.

A. Decrease expiratory flow time. B. Decrease expiratory pressure. C. Increase rate of ventilation. D. Increase ventilator tidal volume.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The correct answer is choice C: Increase rate of ventilation.

Choice A rationale:

Decreasing expiratory flow time would not directly address the elevated PaCO2 levels. This intervention is more related to managing expiratory phase issues rather than correcting respiratory acidosis.

Choice B rationale:

Decreasing expiratory pressure might help with certain ventilation issues, but it does not specifically target the elevated PaCO2 and resulting acidosis.

Choice C rationale:

Increasing the rate of ventilation helps to blow off more CO2, thereby reducing PaCO2 levels and correcting the respiratory acidosis indicated by the pH of 7.26 and PaCO2 of 68 mm Hg.

Choice D rationale:

Increasing the ventilator tidal volume could also help reduce PaCO2 by increasing the amount of air exchanged with each breath. However, increasing the rate of ventilation is generally a more immediate and effective intervention for acute respiratory acidosis.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is teaching a client who has a urinary tract infection (UTI) about trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The client asks why he needs to take two antibiotics together. What should the nurse say?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A client receiving mechanical ventilation has a pH of 7.26, PaCO2 of 68 mm Hg, and a PaO2 of 92 mm Hg. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Patient Data. Exhibits The nurse has called the physician and is anticipating orders. Select the actions that would help with the listed treatment goals. Select all that apply.

An adult male was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer three weeks ago. His wife approaches the nurse and asks how she will know that her husband's death is imminent because their two adult children want to be there when he dies. Which is the best response by the nurse?

The nurse is assessing an adolescent female diagnosed with anorexia nervosa who is admitted to the unit with severe malnutrition and electrolyte imbalance. Which pathological process results from the adolescent's consistent maladaptive behavior?

A client with a long history of migraine headaches asks the nurse if there are non-pharmaceutical ways to help obtain pain relief. Which intervention should the nurse offer?

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?

The nurse observes a client with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is excessively drooling and prepares to suction the client's oral cavity. Which action should the nurse include?