A nurse is caring for a client who has a contusion of the brainstem and reports thirst. The client's urinary output was 4,000 mL over the past 24 hours. The nurse should anticipate a prescription for which of the following intravenous (IV) medications?

Epinephrine

Furosemide

Nitroprusside

Desmopressin

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason: Epinephrine is primarily used in emergency situations for its vasoconstrictive and bronchodilatory effects, particularly in cases of anaphylaxis or cardiac arrest. It is not typically used to manage symptoms associated with brainstem contusions or to regulate urinary output.

Choice B reason: Furosemide is a loop diuretic commonly prescribed to reduce fluid retention in conditions such as heart failure or renal disease. Given that the client has already produced a large volume of urine (4,000 mL in 24 hours, which is above the normal range of 800 to 2,000 milliliters per day), administering furosemide would not be appropriate as it would likely exacerbate the excessive urinary output.

Choice C reason: Nitroprusside is a potent vasodilator used to treat acute hypertensive crises. It has no role in the management of thirst or regulation of urinary output and is not indicated for the treatment of brainstem contusions.

Choice D reason: Desmopressin is a synthetic analogue of the naturally occurring antidiuretic hormone vasopressin. It is used to treat conditions characterized by excessive urination, such as diabetes insipidus, and to manage polyuria and polydipsia (excessive thirst) following head trauma or surgery in the pituitary region. In the context of a brainstem contusion with a reported high urinary output, desmopressin would be the appropriate medication to prescribe to reduce urine volume and address the client's thirst.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Petechiae on the chest are small, red or purple spots caused by bleeding into the skin and may be associated with various conditions, including infections. However, they are not a common finding in meningitis. Meningitis typically presents with symptoms related to inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Choice B reason: Bradycardia, which is a slower than normal heart rate, is not a typical symptom of meningitis. While meningitis can affect various bodily functions, the classic symptoms are fever, headache, and neck stiffness, not changes in heart rate.

Choice C reason: Intermittent headache could be associated with meningitis, but the headaches that accompany meningitis are usually constant and severe due to the inflammation of the meninges. They are not typically described as intermittent.

Choice D reason: Photophobia, or light sensitivity, is a common finding in meningitis. The inflammation of the meninges can lead to an increased sensitivity to light, causing discomfort or pain when the patient is exposed to bright lights. This symptom, along with headache, neck stiffness, and fever, helps to distinguish meningitis from other conditions.

A. "I will draw the regular insulin into the syringe first." B. "I will store prefilled syringes in the refrigerator with the needle pointed upward." C. "I will gently roll the NPH vial between my hands before drawing up the insulin." D. "I will insert the needle at a 90-degree angle." E. None F. None

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Drawing the regular insulin into the syringe first is correct. When mixing two types of insulin, the clear (regular) insulin should be drawn up before the cloudy (NPH) insulin to prevent contamination.

Choice B reason: Storing prefilled syringes with the needle pointed upward can cause air bubbles to move into the insulin, which can alter the dose when injected. The needle should be pointed downward.

Choice C reason: Shaking the NPH vial vigorously is not recommended as it can create air bubbles and affect the insulin dose. Instead, the vial should be gently rolled between the hands to mix the insulin.

Choice D reason: Inserting the needle at a 15-degree angle is incorrect for subcutaneous injections. A 90-degree angle is typically used unless the patient is very thin, in which case a 45-degree angle may be used.

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A nurse is caring for a client who has a contusion of the brainstem and reports thirst. The client's urinary output was 4,000 mL over the past 24 hours. The nurse should anticipate a prescription for which of the following intravenous (IV) medications?

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