A nurse is caring for a client who is taking azathioprine to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following laboratory values indicates an adverse effect of this medication?
BUN 15 mg/dL
WBC 3,000/mm
Hct 45%
Platelets 250,000/mm
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A Reason:
BUN 15 mg/dL (blood urea nitrogen) is incorrect. An elevated BUN level can indicate kidney dysfunction or dehydration, but it's not typically associated with azathioprine's adverse effects. Azathioprine is known to affect bone marrow, leading to decreased blood cell counts, rather than directly impacting kidney function.
Choice B Reason:
WBC 3,000/mm³ (low white blood cell count) is correct. Azathioprine is an immunosuppressive medication used to treat various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. One of its known adverse effects is bone marrow suppression, which can lead to decreased production of blood cells, including white blood cells (WBCs). A low WBC count (leukopenia) can increase the risk of infections due to compromised immune function, making it an important adverse effect to monitor in individuals taking azathioprine.
Choice C Reason:
Hct 45% (hematocrit) is incorrect. A hematocrit of 45% is within the normal range for both men and women. Azathioprine adverse effects usually manifest as blood cell-related issues (such as leukopenia) rather than directly impacting hematocrit levels.
Choice D Reason:
Platelets 250,000/mm³: Platelets within the range of 150,000 to 400,000/mm³ are considered normal. Azathioprine typically affects white blood cells more prominently than platelet counts.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Visual disturbances is the correct findings. In individuals taking digoxin, visual disturbances such as blurred or yellow-tinted vision can indicate early signs of medication toxicity. This symptom often requires prompt medical attention, as it can precede more severe complications.
Choice B Reason:
Sudden weight gain is not correct. While weight gain can be a symptom of worsening heart failure, it's not typically associated specifically with digoxin toxicity. It's more commonly related to fluid retention in heart failure.
Choice C Reason:
Potassium 4.4 mEq/L is not correct. This potassium level is within the normal range. Digoxin toxicity can be exacerbated by low potassium levels, but a normal potassium level doesn't directly indicate digoxin toxicity.
Choice D Reason:
Insomnia is not a typical early sign of digoxin toxicity. It's more commonly associated with issues like difficulty sleeping rather than being a direct symptom of digoxin toxicity.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Bilateral muscle weakness is not typically associated specifically with fluid volume excess. Muscle weakness can result from various causes, such as electrolyte imbalances or certain medical conditions, but it's not a primary manifestation of fluid volume excess.
Choice B Reason:
Thready pulse is not correct. A thready pulse refers to a weak and barely palpable pulse. This is more commonly associated with conditions like shock or reduced cardiac output rather than fluid volume excess.
Choice C Reason:
Decreased bowel sounds is not correct. Reduced or absent bowel sounds may indicate gastrointestinal issues, but they are not a direct manifestation of fluid volume excess. Increased bowel sounds might be more associated with certain types of gastrointestinal disturbances or fluid imbalances, but decreased sounds are not a typical sign of fluid volume excess.
Choice D Reason:
Distended neck veins is correct. In a client experiencing fluid volume excess, distended neck veins can often be observed due to increased venous pressure. This occurs as a result of the body retaining more fluid than it can handle, leading to an increase in blood volume and pressure within the vascular system. This can cause the jugular veins in the neck to appear distended or prominent.
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