A nurse is preparing to administer a dose of digoxin to a client who is experiencing heart failure. Which of the following actions should the take prior to administering this medication?
Auscultate the client's lung sounds
Check the client's weight.
Check the client's apical pulse.
Obtain the client's oxygen saturation
The Correct Answer is C
A. Auscultate the client's lung sounds: While lung sounds are important to assess in clients with heart failure, auscultating lung sounds is not directly required before administering digoxin. The immediate concern with digoxin is its effect on heart rate and rhythm.
B. Check the client's weight: Monitoring weight is important in heart failure management to assess fluid retention, but weight measurement is not necessary immediately prior to administering a dose of digoxin.
C. Check the client's apical pulse: Before giving digoxin, it is critical to assess the client's apical pulse for one full minute. If the pulse is below a specified rate (60 beats/min for adults), the dose may need to be withheld and the provider notified due to the risk of digoxin-induced bradycardia.
D. Obtain the client's oxygen saturation: Oxygen saturation is important in evaluating respiratory function, but it is not a priority action before administering digoxin. The primary safety check is heart rate assessment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Hypertension: Clients experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) are more likely to present with hypotension rather than hypertension due to dehydration caused by osmotic diuresis. Volume depletion significantly lowers blood pressure rather than raising it in the setting of DKA.
B. Fruity breath odor: A fruity or acetone-like breath odor is a hallmark sign of DKA. It results from the accumulation of ketones, particularly acetone, in the blood, which the body attempts to eliminate through the lungs, giving the breath its characteristic sweet or fruity smell.
C. Protruding eyeballs: Protruding eyeballs, or exophthalmos, are associated with hyperthyroidism, particularly Graves' disease, not with diabetic ketoacidosis. DKA affects metabolic and acid-base balance but does not cause changes to eye appearance or positioning.
D. Decreased urinary output: In the early stages of DKA, clients usually experience increased urinary output (polyuria) due to osmotic diuresis from hyperglycemia. Decreased output may occur only in the later stages when severe dehydration and kidney compromise develop, but it is not an early expected finding.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Hold the catheter with the dominant hand during insertion: The dominant hand should be used to insert the catheter because it provides better control and precision during the sterile procedure. The nondominant hand is used to expose and maintain the position of the urethra but is considered contaminated once touching the client.
B. Advance catheter 7.5 cm (3 in) after urine begins to flow: The catheter should be advanced approximately 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches) further after urine appears, not 7.5 cm. Advancing too far could cause discomfort or trauma to the bladder.
C. Hang collection bag below the level of the bladder: While this is an important step in managing the catheter after insertion to prevent backflow and infection, it does not specifically pertain to the insertion process itself.
D. Lubricate the catheter 12.5 cm (5 in) prior to insertion: Typically, for female catheterization, about 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches) of the catheter is lubricated, not 12.5 cm. Excessive lubrication is unnecessary and may cause difficulty during insertion.
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