A nurse is preparing to administer a levothyroxine 50 mcg tablet PO to a client who is receiving an enteral feeding through an NG tube.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Dissolve the medication in 30 mL of water.
Maintain the client in the supine position during medication administration.
Add the medication to the enteral feeding formula.
Flush the tube with 5 mL of water after administering the medication.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
Dissolving the medication in 30 mL of water is the correct action. This ensures that the medication is in a suitable form for administration via an NG tube and helps prevent the tube from becoming blocked.
Choice B rationale:
Maintaining the client in the supine position during medication administration is not recommended. This position increases the risk of aspiration. Instead, the client should be in an upright position during medication administration and for at least 30 minutes afterward.
Choice C rationale:
Adding the medication to the enteral feeding formula is not recommended. This can alter the effectiveness of the medication and can also clog the feeding tube.
Choice D rationale:
Flushing the tube with 5 mL of water after administering the medication is not enough. The tube should be flushed with at least 15-30 mL of water before and after medication administration to ensure that the entire dose has been administered and to prevent clogging of the tube.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Two loose stools in the past 24 hours could be a symptom of Clostridioides difficile infection, but it’s not necessarily a priority finding. The infection can cause diarrhea, but it’s not life-threatening.
Choice B rationale:
A WBC count of 11,000/mm³ is slightly elevated, indicating a possible infection. However, it’s not necessarily a priority finding as it’s not significantly high.
Choice C rationale:
A heart rate of 104/min is slightly elevated, indicating possible stress or anxiety. However, it’s not necessarily a priority finding as it’s not significantly high.
Choice D rationale:
Creatinine level of 3.1 mg/dL is significantly high, indicating possible kidney damage, which can be a side effect of vancomycin treatment. This should be reported to the provider immediately.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Consulting a pharmaceutical sales representative is not the best option. While they are knowledgeable about the medications they promote, their primary role is to market their company’s products, and they may not have comprehensive information about other medications.
Choice B rationale:
While a nursing team member can be a valuable resource, they may not have the specific knowledge about the medication in question. It’s also important to remember that medication information can change frequently, and relying on another person’s knowledge may lead to errors.
Choice C rationale:
The client’s family can provide useful information about how the client has been taking the medication at home, but they are unlikely to have detailed pharmacological knowledge about the medication.
Choice D rationale:
A nursing drug guide is a reliable and up-to-date resource that provides comprehensive information about medications, including indications, contraindications, dosages, potential side effects, and interactions. Therefore, when unfamiliar with a medication, the nurse should consult a nursing drug guide.
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