A nurse is preparing to titrate a continuous nitroprusside infusion for a client. The nurse should plan to titrate the infusion according to which of the following assessments?
Blood pressure
Stroke volume
Cardiac output
Urine output
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Blood pressure is correct. Nitroprusside is a medication used to lower blood pressure in conditions such as hypertensive emergencies. It's titrated based on blood pressure readings, with the goal of achieving the desired target blood pressure range as directed by the healthcare provider. The nurse would monitor the client's blood pressure closely and adjust the infusion rate accordingly to achieve the prescribed blood pressure parameters.
Choice B Reason:
Stroke volume is incorrect. While stroke volume (the amount of blood ejected by the heart with each contraction) is important in assessing heart function, it's not directly used to titrate a nitroprusside infusion. Nitroprusside primarily acts as a vasodilator to reduce blood pressure, rather than affecting stroke volume.
Choice C Reason:
Cardiac output is incorrect. Cardiac output (the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute) is also a crucial measure of heart function, but adjusting a nitroprusside infusion based on cardiac output is not a common practice. Nitroprusside's primary action is to dilate blood vessels, impacting blood pressure regulation more directly than cardiac output.
Choice D Reason:
Urine output is incorrect. While urine output is an important indicator of renal function and overall fluid balance, it is not typically used as the main parameter for titrating nitroprusside. Nitroprusside's primary effect is on vasodilation and blood pressure control rather than directly impacting urine output.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Decrease the dose of the medication is incorrect. Lowering the dose could potentially drop the INR below the therapeutic range, increasing the risk of clot formation.
Choice B Reason:
Increase the dose of the medication is incorrect. Raising the dose might push the INR above the therapeutic range, increasing the risk of bleeding.
Choice C Reason:
Withhold the medication is incorrect. Withholding the medication might lead to inadequate anticoagulation and an increased risk of clot formation.
Choice D Reason:
Administer the current dose of the medication. An INR of 2.5 is within the therapeutic range for many indications, including atrial fibrillation. This means the blood is appropriately anticoagulated to prevent clot formation without an excessive risk of bleeding. In this scenario, maintaining the current dose of warfarin is often appropriate to sustain the desired therapeutic effect.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
Meloxicam is incorrect. Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used primarily for managing mild to moderate pain and inflammation. While it can provide relief for mild pain, it may not be potent enough to effectively manage severe pain, especially in cases of advanced cancer-related pain, where stronger analgesics are often necessary.
Choice B Reason:
Aspirin is incorrect. Aspirin, like meloxicam, is an NSAID used for mild to moderate pain relief and has anti-inflammatory properties. While it can be effective for certain types of pain, it's generally not the first choice for severe pain management, particularly in cases of advanced cancer-related pain where stronger opioids are typically required for adequate relief.
Choice C Reason:
Hydromorphone is correct. Hydromorphone is a potent opioid analgesic used to manage severe pain, especially in cancer-related pain or post-operative settings. In cases of severe pain, opioids like hydromorphone are commonly utilized due to their effectiveness in providing relief.
Choice D Reason:
Caldofor is incorrect. The term "Caldofor" does not appear to correspond to any recognized medication commonly used for pain relief. It's possible that this might be a misspelling or an unfamiliar or less common drug name. Without a specific drug identification, it's challenging to assess its suitability or effectiveness for managing severe pain associated with pancreatic cancer.
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