A nurse is assessing a client who has major depressive disorder and is taking amitriptyline.
Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an adverse effect of the medication?
Diarrhea
Frequent urination
Excessive salivation
Blurred vision
The Correct Answer is D
- A. Diarrhea is not an adverse effect of amitriptyline, which is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). Diarrhea may be caused by other factors, such as infection, food intolerance, or stress. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
- B. Frequent urination is not an adverse effect of amitriptyline either. Frequent urination may be a sign of diabetes, urinary tract infection, or other conditions that affect the kidneys or bladder. Therefore, this choice is also incorrect.
- C. Excessive salivation is not an adverse effect of amitriptyline as well. Excessive salivation may be due to increased production of saliva, difficulty swallowing, or mouth irritation. Therefore, this choice is incorrect too.
- D. Blurred vision is an adverse effect of amitriptyline and other TCAs. Amitriptyline can cause anticholinergic effects, such as dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, and blurred vision. These effects are more pronounced in older adults and can impair their daily functioning and quality of life. Therefore, this choice is correct and the nurse should identify it as an adverse effect of the medication.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
- A. Correct. A hemoglobin level of 14.9 g/dL indicates that the client has an adequate amount of oxygen-carrying capacity in the blood, which is the goal of blood transfusion therapy.
- B. Incorrect. A WBC count of 12,000/mm3 is slightly elevated and may indicate an infection or inflammation, which are not related to blood transfusion therapy.
- C. Incorrect. A potassium level of 48 mEq/L is dangerously high and may cause cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, or paralysis. This is not an expected outcome of blood transfusion therapy and may indicate hemolysis or renal impairment.
- D. Incorrect. A BUN level of 18 mg/dL is within the normal range and does not reflect the effectiveness of blood transfusion therapy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
- A is incorrect because assessing the apical pulse while the newborn is crying can result in an inaccurate measurement due to increased heart rate and respiratory rate.
- B is incorrect because palpating the radial pulse for 30 seconds is not appropriate for a newborn as it can be difficult to locate and count accurately.
- C is incorrect because listening to the apical pulse while palpating the radial pulse is not necessary for a newborn and can be confusing and time-consuming.
- D is correct because auscultating the apical pulse at least 1 min is the best way to assess a newborn's heart rate as it provides an accurate and reliable measurement.
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