A nurse is caring for a client who has deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The client has received intravenous (IV) heparin for the past 5 days and now has a new prescription for oral warfarin in addition to the heparin. The client asks the nurse if both medications are necessary. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?

"Both heparin and warfarin work together to dissolve the clots."

"Heparin enhances the effects of the warfarin."

"I will ask the charge nurse to call your provider and get an explanation."

"Heparin will be continued until the warfarin reaches a therapeutic level."

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason : This statement is incorrect because neither heparin nor warfarin dissolves clots. They prevent the formation of new clots and the growth of existing clots.

Choice B reason : This statement is not accurate. Heparin and warfarin do not enhance each other's effects. They work in different pathways of the clotting cascade. Heparin acts quickly, whereas warfarin takes several days to reach therapeutic levels.

Choice C reason : While seeking clarification from a provider is a part of good nursing practice, it is not the most informative response for the client. The nurse should provide education based on their knowledge and available information.

Choice D reason : This is the correct response. Heparin acts quickly and is used to stabilize the patient while waiting for warfarin to reach therapeutic levels, which is monitored by the international normalized ratio (INR) and usually takes several days.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Cough is not commonly associated with atenolol. Atenolol is a beta-blocker used to treat hypertension and is less likely to cause respiratory side effects compared to some other classes of antihypertensive medications.

Choice B reason: Bradycardia, or a slower than normal heart rate, is a well-documented adverse effect of atenolol. Atenolol works by blocking beta-1 receptors in the heart, which can reduce the heart rate. Normal heart rate ranges for infants (1 to 11 months old) are 80-160 beats per minute (BPM), and for toddlers (1-2 years old), it's 80-130 BPM. Bradycardia would be defined as a heart rate below these normal ranges. It is important for patients starting atenolol to monitor their pulse regularly and report any significant decrease in heart rate to their healthcare provider.

Choice C reason: While constipation can be a side effect of many medications, it is not a common adverse effect of atenolol. Atenolol does not typically affect the gastrointestinal system to the extent that it causes constipation.

Choice D reason: Headache is not a typical adverse effect of atenolol. While headaches can occur for a variety of reasons, they are not directly linked to the pharmacological action of atenolol on the cardiovascular system.

A. Morphine B. Nitroglycerin C. Aspirin D. Oxygen

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason : Morphine is an opioid analgesic used to relieve severe pain and can be administered to patients with myocardial infarction to alleviate chest pain and anxiety. However, it is not the first medication given as it does not address the underlying cause of the myocardial infarction, which is the formation of a blood clot in the coronary arteries.

Choice B reason : Nitroglycerin is a nitrate that helps to dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow. It can be used to relieve chest pain in myocardial infarction, but similar to morphine, it is not the initial medication of choice. The priority is to prevent further blood clotting.

Choice C reason : Administered as soon as possible to inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce clot progression.

Choice D reason : When a myocardial infarction (MI) is suspected, the priority is to address tissue hypoxia and ensure adequate oxygenation to minimize myocardial damage. Administering oxygen helps increase oxygen availability to the ischemic heart tissue, reducing further damage.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who has hypertension and is to start taking atenolol. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor for which of the following findings as an adverse effect of this medication?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is assisting in the plan of care for a client who has a suspected myocardial infarction. Which of the following medications should the nurse plan to administer first?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who is admitted with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the left leg. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?

A nurse on a telemetry unit is reviewing the laboratory results for a client who has atrial fibrillation and is taking warfarin. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse report to the provider?

A nurse is assisting in the plan of care for a client who has dehydration and hypotension. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a male adult client who is at risk for peripheral arterial disease due to atherosclerosis. The nurse should identify which of the following results places the client at risk :

A nurse is collecting data from a client who has venous insufficiency. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A nurse is collecting data on a patient who is postoperative following aortic valve replacement. Which of the following tasks should the nurse prioritize during data collection?

A nurse is reinforcing teaching about warfarin with a client who has a new onset of atrial fibrillation. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?