A nurse is applying a nitroglycerin transdermal patch for a client who has angina. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Apply the patch to a hairless area of the skin.
Apply a 4x4 dressing over the patch.
Apply the patch to the same site every 24 hr.
Apply the patch to a bony prominence on the chest.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Apply the patch to a hairless area of the skin is correct. Nitroglycerin patches should be applied to a clean, hairless area of the skin to ensure proper absorption of the medication. Hair can interfere with the patch's adherence and the absorption of nitroglycerin into the bloodstream. The site chosen should be rotated to prevent skin irritation or tolerance development. Commonly used areas include the chest, upper arms, or torso, but it's important to follow specific instructions provided by the healthcare provider.
Choice B Reason:
Apply a 4x4 dressing over the patch is incorrect. Covering the nitroglycerin patch with a dressing may interfere with its absorption and effectiveness. These patches are designed to be applied directly to the skin without covering.
Choice C Reason:
Apply the patch to the same site every 24 hr is incorrect. Repeatedly applying the patch to the same site increases the risk of skin irritation or tolerance to the medication. It's crucial to rotate patch sites to avoid these issues.
Choice D Reason:
Apply the patch to a bony prominence on the chest is incorrect. Nitroglycerin patches should not be placed on bony prominences because these areas can be uncomfortable and may not provide optimal absorption. Instead, they are typically applied to relatively flat, hairless areas of the skin.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
No explanation
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Serum osmolarity 310 mOsm/L is incorrect. Serum osmolarity measures the concentration of particles in the blood. While an elevated serum osmolarity might indicate dehydration, it's not a direct indicator of the effectiveness of treatment. It signifies the concentration of solutes in the blood rather than reflecting hydration improvement after treatment.
Choice B Reason:
Serum hematocrit 55%m is incorrect. Elevated hematocrit levels can occur in dehydration because of hemoconcentration (an increase in the concentration of red blood cells due to reduced fluid volume). However, similar to serum osmolarity, while it can indicate dehydration, it doesn't specifically reflect the effectiveness of treatment.
To determine effective treatment of dehydration, the nurse should consider the laboratory values that reflect hydration status:
Choice C Reason:
Urine specific gravity 1.020 is correct. Urine specific gravity measures the concentration of solutes in the urine, indicating the kidneys' ability to concentrate urine. A higher specific gravity (typically above 1.020) suggests more concentrated urine, which can indicate dehydration. As hydration improves, the urine becomes less concentrated, so a decrease in urine specific gravity toward the normal range (around 1.010-1.020) indicates effective rehydration and improved kidney function in retaining fluids.
Choice D Reason:
BUN 28 mg/dL is incorrect. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels can also rise in dehydration due to reduced kidney perfusion. However, like serum osmolarity and hematocrit, while it can indicate dehydration, it doesn't directly show the effectiveness of treatment or the improvement in hydration status after treatment.
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