A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a potassium level of 2.4 mEq/L. The nurse should identify which of the following medications as contributing to this lab value?
Nitroglycerin
Metoprolol
Spironolactone
Furosemide
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason : Nitroglycerin is used to treat angina pectoris and does not typically cause a decrease in potassium levels¹.
Choice B reason : Metoprolol is a beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure but is not known to significantly affect potassium levels¹.
Choice C reason : Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic and would not contribute to low potassium levels; it is more likely to cause hyperkalemia¹.
Choice D reason : Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can lead to hypokalemia by increasing the excretion of potassium in the urine. It is known to contribute to low potassium levels and should be identified as the medication affecting this lab value¹².
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason : While it is important to assure the client, the nurse must first verify that there is a formal DNR order in place to legally honor the client's wishes¹².
Choice B reason : Checking for a DNR order in the medical record is the correct action to ensure that the client's wishes regarding resuscitation are documented and will be followed by all healthcare providers¹².
Choice C reason : Asking about a healthcare proxy is important, but it is secondary to confirming that the client's wishes are documented in the medical record through a DNR order or advance directives¹².
Choice D reason : Verifying a signed copy of the advance directives is crucial, but the immediate step is to check for a DNR order, which is specifically related to the client's request not to be resuscitated¹².
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason : Acting as if the hallucination is real can validate the client's false perceptions and potentially reinforce the hallucination. It is important to maintain a sense of reality and not to enter into the client's hallucinatory experience.
Choice B reason : Instructing the client to argue with the voices is not therapeutic. It can increase the client's agitation and anxiety, and it does not help in distinguishing reality from hallucinations.
Choice C reason : While it is important to understand the client's experience, asking direct questions about the hallucination may lead the client to focus more on the hallucination, which can reinforce its presence. The nurse should focus on reality-based topics.
Choice D reason : This is the correct action. The nurse should gently and firmly reassure the client that the hallucination is not real and is a symptom of their illness. This helps to orient the client to reality and can reduce the distress associated with hallucinations.
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