A nurse is caring for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. The patient is prescribed hydroxychloroquine to slow the progression of the disease. Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse monitor for this patient?

Decreased white blood cell count

Increased blood cell count

Decreased platelet count

Increased red blood cell count

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale:
Hydroxychloroquine can cause a rare but serious side effect called bone marrow suppression. This is a decrease in the production of blood cells in the bone marrow.
White blood cells (WBCs) are a key component of the immune system, and a decrease in WBCs can make a patient more susceptible to infections.
Therefore, it's crucial for nurses to monitor the patient's WBC count to detect any potential bone marrow suppression early and take necessary actions to prevent or manage infections.
Choice B rationale:
An increased blood cell count is not a typical side effect of hydroxychloroquine.
Some conditions, like polycythemia vera, can cause an increase in blood cell count, but they are not related to hydroxychloroquine use.

Choice C rationale:
While hydroxychloroquine can sometimes cause a decrease in platelet count, it's less common than bone marrow suppression affecting WBCs.
However, it's still essential for nurses to monitor platelet counts as well, as a significantly low platelet count can impair blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding.
Choice D rationale:
Hydroxychloroquine does not typically affect red blood cell (RBC) counts.
Conditions that affect RBC counts, such as anemia, are not directly related to hydroxychloroquine use.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale:
Serum creatinine is a waste product that is produced by muscle metabolism and is normally excreted by the kidneys.
When kidney function is impaired, creatinine levels in the blood increase, making it a sensitive and specific indicator of renal function.
It is considered one of the most reliable markers for assessing kidney function and is routinely used to screen for and monitor kidney disease.

Choice B rationale:
Serum sodium is an electrolyte that is regulated by the kidneys, but it is not a direct measure of renal function. Sodium levels can be affected by various factors, including fluid intake, medications, and hormonal imbalances.
While abnormal sodium levels can sometimes be a sign of kidney dysfunction, they can also occur due to other conditions, making it less specific as an indicator of renal function.
Choice C rationale:

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is another waste product that is produced by the breakdown of proteins and is normally excreted by the kidneys.
However, BUN levels can be influenced by factors other than kidney function, such as dietary protein intake, dehydration, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
This makes BUN less specific than serum creatinine as a marker of renal function.

Choice D rationale:
Urine-specific gravity measures the concentration of solutes in urine, which can provide some information about kidney function.
However, it is not as sensitive or specific as serum creatinine.
Urine-specific gravity can be affected by factors such as fluid intake and hydration status, which can make it less reliable as an indicator of renal function.

Correct Answer is ["033"]

Explanation

Step 1 is to calculate the number of milliliters (mL) that contain the ordered dose of 300 mg of clindamycin.

Step 2 is to divide the total milliliters (mL) from Step 1 by the infusion time in minutes to get the flow rate in mL/hour. Here are the calculations:

Step 1:

900 mg of clindamycin is in 50 mL.

To find the mL that contain 300 mg, set up a proportion:

(300 mg / 900 mg) = (x mL / 50 mL) Cross-multiply and solve for x:

x = (300 mg * 50 mL) / 900 mg x = 16.67 mL

Step 2:

The infusion time is 30 minutes.

Divide the total mL (16.67 mL) by the infusion time in hours to get the flow rate in mL/hour: Flow rate = 16.67 mL / (30 minutes / 60 minutes/hour)

Flow rate = 33.33 mL/hour

Round to the nearest whole number, using a leading zero if it applies, and no trailing zero: Flow rate = 033 mL/hour

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is caring for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. The patient is prescribed hydroxychloroquine to slow the progression of the disease. Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse monitor for this patient?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is reviewing laboratory values for a client who has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Which of the following values should give the nurse the best indication of the client's renal function?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Correct Answer is ["033"]

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a 28-year-old client with HIV who has been admitted with pneumonia. Which of the following observations should the nurse prioritize?

A nurse is presenting a community-based program about HIV and AIDS. A client asks the nurse to describe the initial symptoms experienced with HIV infection. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse include in the explanation of initial symptoms?

What is the nurse's primary consideration when caring for a client with rheumatoid arthritis?

A nurse is completing discharge teaching to a patient who has seizures and received a vagal nerve stimulator to decrease seizure activity. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

What intervention should the nurse identify as a priority for a client with a nursing diagnosis of ineffective airway clearance related to HIV related pneumonia?

A nurse is caring for a client who is taking naproxen following an exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following statements by the client requires further discussion by the nurse?

The nurse is planning education for a patient diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Which risk factors should the nurse include in the teaching plan? (Select all that apply)

The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient who has a prescription for phenytoin. Which of the following information should the nurse include?