A nurse is assessing a client who has hypercholesterolemia and is receiving simvastatin. Which of the following findings should the nurse recognize as a potential adverse effect?
Blurred vision
Orthostatic hypotension
Urinary retention
Muscle weakness
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Blurred vision is not a common or serious side effect of simvastatin, as it does not affect the eyes or the vision. Blurred vision may be caused by other factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, or eye disorders.
Choice B reason: Orthostatic hypotension is not a common or serious side effect of simvastatin, as it does not affect the blood pressure or the vascular tone. Orthostatic hypotension may be caused by other factors, such as dehydration, anemia, or medication interactions.
Choice C reason: Urinary retention is not a common or serious side effect of simvastatin, as it does not affect the urinary tract or the bladder function. Urinary retention may be caused by other factors, such as prostate enlargement, infection, or nerve damage.
Choice D reason: Muscle weakness is a common and serious side effect of simvastatin, as it can indicate muscle damage or rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is a life-threatening condition that causes the breakdown of muscle tissue and the release of myoglobin into the bloodstream, which can lead to kidney failure. Muscle weakness may be accompanied by muscle pain, tenderness, or dark urine. The nurse should monitor the client's creatine kinase (CK) levels and report any signs of muscle damage to the provider.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Lidocaine is an antiarrhythmic medication that stabilizes the cardiac membrane and suppresses abnormal electrical impulses in the heart. It is used to treat ventricular dysrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, which can occur after a cardiac arrest.
Choice B reason: Lidocaine is not primarily used to relieve pain, although it has local anesthetic properties. It is not effective for chest pain caused by myocardial ischemia or infarction.
Choice C reason: Lidocaine does not dissolve blood clots, nor does it prevent their formation. It has no anticoagulant or thrombolytic effects.
Choice D reason: Lidocaine does not slow intestinal motility, nor does it affect the gastrointestinal system. It has no antispasmodic or antidiarrheal effects.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: A headache is not likely due to the anxiety about the chest pain, as anxiety usually causes other symptoms, such as palpitations, sweating, or trembling. A headache is more likely related to the vasodilating action of nitroglycerin, which causes increased blood flow to the brain.
Choice B reason: A headache does not indicate tolerance to the medication, as tolerance usually manifests as a reduced effect of the medication on relieving chest pain. A headache is more likely a sign of the medication's potency, as it indicates that the nitroglycerin is reaching the systemic circulation.
Choice C reason: A headache is an expected adverse effect of the medication, as nitroglycerin causes vasodilation of the cerebral vessels, which can result in increased intracranial pressure and pain. A headache is usually mild and transient, and can be relieved by taking analgesics, such as acetaminophen.
Choice D reason: A headache is not an indication of an allergy to the medication, as an allergic reaction usually causes other symptoms, such as rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing. A headache is more likely a pharmacological effect of the medication, rather than an immunological response.
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