A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). The client asks the nurse why she needs to take four different antituberculotic medications. Which of the following replies should the nurse make?
"The organism that causes TB becomes resistant to antituberculotic medications when you only take one medication."
Taking several antituberculotic medications will protect your liver from toxic effects."
"People who have a severe form of TB need several antituberculotic medications, but those who have less severe TB need just one medication."
"Adverse effects occur more often and are more severe when you take only one antituberculotic medication."
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
"The organism that causes TB becomes resistant to antituberculotic medications when you only take one medication." This statement is appropriate.
Tuberculosis bacteria tend to develop resistance to single medications when used alone. Using multiple medications simultaneously helps prevent the bacteria from becoming resistant to any single drug. This strategy, known as combination therapy, is crucial in treating TB effectively and reducing the risk of drug resistance.
When TB bacteria are exposed to just one medication, they can mutate and become resistant to that specific drug. However, using a combination of medications helps ensure that if one medication fails to eliminate some bacteria due to resistance, the other drugs can still work against the resistant strains.
Preventing drug resistance is essential for successful TB treatment and to avoid the need for more complex and less effective medications if resistance develops.
Choice B Reason:
"Taking several antituberculotic medications will protect your liver from toxic effects." This statement is incorrect. While it's true that some antituberculotic medications can have hepatotoxic effects (adverse effects on the liver), the primary reason for using multiple medications in TB treatment isn't solely to protect the liver. The main goal of using multiple medications is to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains of TB bacteria. Protecting the liver is an important consideration in medication selection and monitoring but isn't the primary rationale for multiple medications.
Choice C Reason:
"People who have a severe form of TB need several antituberculotic medications, but those who have less severe TB need just one medication." This statement is incorrect. The severity of TB doesn't determine the number of medications required. The standard treatment approach for TB involves multiple medications, regardless of the severity. This approach aims to prevent the development of drug resistance, ensure effective treatment, and reduce the risk of treatment failure. Using a combination of medications is a fundamental strategy to combat TB effectively.
Choice D Reason:
"Adverse effects occur more often and are more severe when you take only one antituberculotic medication." This statement is incorrect. While it's true that adverse effects can occur with antituberculotic medications, the primary reason for using multiple medications isn't solely to reduce adverse effects. The main concern addressed by using multiple drugs is preventing the development of drug-resistant TB strains. Using a combination of medications reduces the likelihood of resistance developing and increases the effectiveness of treatment, rather than solely minimizing adverse effects.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Elevate the head of the client's bed for 1 hr. after the feeding is appropriate. This action helps minimize the risk of aspiration. Elevating the head of the bed (typically at least 30 to 45 degrees) can reduce the chance of reflux and aspiration of the feeding solution into the lungs. This position should ideally be maintained for about 1 hour after the feeding to aid digestion and reduce the risk of complications.
Choice B Reason:
Administering the feeding solution at a cold temperature is inappropriate. Feeding solutions are generally administered at room temperature or slightly warmed to prevent discomfort and minimize the risk of altering the client's core body temperature. Cold temperatures can cause discomfort or cramping and might affect the absorption of the nutrients. Therefore, administering the feeding solution at a cold temperature is not recommended.
Choice C Reason:
Rotating the jejunostomy tube once per day is inappropriate. Rotating the jejunostomy tube is not typically part of routine care. Tube rotation can cause discomfort, irritation, and potential injury to the gastrointestinal tract. Tubes should be secured properly to prevent movement but not rotated unless specifically instructed by a healthcare provider for a particular reason, such as checking for proper tube placement.
Choice D Reason:
Flushing the tube with 90 ml of sterile water before and after the feeding is inappropriate.
Flushing the tube with sterile water before and after the feeding helps ensure the patency of the tube and prevents clogging. It's a standard procedure to clear the tube and maintain its function.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
The client has a delayed response to verbal commands. This finding can indicate increased intracranial pressure. Changes in responsiveness, such as delayed responses to verbal commands or other stimuli, can be indicative of neurological impairment due to elevated pressure within the skull.
Choice B Reason:
The client has ecchymosis around the eyes. Ecchymosis around the eyes (raccoon eyes) can occur with certain head injuries, but it's not a direct sign of increased intracranial pressure. It's more commonly associated with basilar skull fractures rather than specifically reflecting increased pressure within the skull.
Choice C Reason:
The client is unable to remember details of the motor-vehicle crash. Memory impairment or amnesia regarding the event can occur due to head trauma, but it might not directly correlate with an increase in intracranial pressure. It's more related to the effects of the injury on memory function.
Choice D Reason:
The client reports ringing in the ears. Tinnitus or ringing in the ears might occur in some cases of head trauma but is not a direct indicator of increased intracranial pressure. It might result from the impact of the injury or other associated factors.
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