A nurse is caring for a client who consumed alcohol 2 days after taking disulfiram. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following findings?
Constipation
Dry skin
Hypotension
Urinary retention
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Constipation isn’t a primary effect of disulfiram-alcohol reaction, which causes acetaldehyde buildup, triggering vasodilation and nausea, not gut motility issues. Scientifically, this reaction targets cardiovascular and systemic responses, lacking evidence for significant gastrointestinal stasis as a monitored outcome in this scenario.
Choice B reason: Dry skin isn’t linked to disulfiram-alcohol interaction, which induces flushing and sweating from acetaldehyde toxicity, not dehydration. Scientifically, the reaction affects vascular and autonomic systems, producing moist, not dry, skin responses, making this an unrelated finding for monitoring here.
Choice C reason: Hypotension occurs in disulfiram-alcohol reaction as acetaldehyde dilates vessels, dropping blood pressure. This cardiovascular effect, alongside tachycardia, is a key sign to monitor, aligning with scientific understanding of the drug’s inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing systemic distress.
Choice D reason: Urinary retention isn’t a typical disulfiram-alcohol effect; the reaction focuses on vasodilation, nausea, and hypotension from acetaldehyde. Scientifically, autonomic overstimulation may occur, but bladder dysfunction isn’t a primary outcome, making this less critical to monitor than cardiovascular collapse.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Elevated ammonia relates to liver failure, not pancreatitis. Pancreatitis involves pancreatic enzyme leakage, not nitrogen metabolism. Scientifically, ammonia rises in hepatic encephalopathy, lacking relevance to pancreatic inflammation, making this an incorrect marker for the condition.
Choice B reason: Elevated lipase is a hallmark of pancreatitis, as inflamed pancreatic acinar cells release this enzyme into blood. Scientifically, it’s a specific diagnostic indicator, rising with tissue damage, aligning with pancreatitis pathophysiology for accurate clinical identification.
Choice C reason: Prolonged PT/INR reflects coagulopathy, often liver-related, not pancreatitis unless complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation. Scientifically, this isn’t a primary marker, as pancreatitis targets digestion, not clotting, making it less expected in typical cases.
Choice D reason: Decreased albumin suggests chronic liver disease or malnutrition, not acute pancreatitis. Pancreatitis doesn’t directly impair protein synthesis. Scientifically, albumin drops over time, not acutely, misaligning with pancreatitis’s rapid inflammatory onset and diagnostic profile.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Tetracycline allergy doesn’t cross-react with azithromycin, a macrolide. They’re distinct classes, so this isn’t a concern for chlamydia treatment safety.
Choice B reason: Sulfonamide allergy is unrelated to azithromycin’s macrolide structure. No cross-sensitivity exists, making this irrelevant for reporting in this case.
Choice C reason: Azithromycin is a macrolide; allergy to this class risks anaphylaxis. Reporting ensures safe alternative prescribing for chlamydia, a critical safety step.
Choice D reason: Penicillin allergy doesn’t affect azithromycin use; they’re unrelated structurally. This doesn’t require reporting, as no cross-reaction occurs here.
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