A nurse is providing teaching for a client who has a new prescription for alprazolam to treat insomnia. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
"Avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving."
"Monitor for peripheral edema."
"Take this medication with a high-fat meal."
"Take this medication every night before sleep."
The Correct Answer is A
Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine medication commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Here's the rationale for each option:
A. "Avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving.": Alprazolam can cause drowsiness and impair cognitive function, so it's essential for clients to avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating heavy machinery, while taking this medication. Providing this instruction promotes safety and prevents accidents.
B. "Monitor for peripheral edema.": Peripheral edema is not a common side effect of alprazolam. This instruction is not relevant to the use of this medication.
C. "Take this medication with a high-fat meal.": Alprazolam can be taken with or without food, but taking it with a high-fat meal may delay its absorption. Therefore, it is not necessary to instruct the client to take it with a high-fat meal, especially since this may affect the medication's effectiveness.
D. "Take this medication every night before sleep.": While alprazolam may be used to treat insomnia, it is not typically recommended for nightly use due to the risk of dependence and tolerance. Using it nightly can lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopped. Therefore, this instruction is not appropriate.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Dilute the medication with sterile water before injecting: Phenytoin should not be diluted before administration because it may cause precipitation or crystallization of the drug, leading to potential adverse effects such as tissue irritation or embolism.
B. Administer the medication over 1 min: Phenytoin should be administered slowly over 1 to 2 minutes to reduce the risk of adverse effects such as hypotension or cardiac arrhythmias. Rapid infusion can lead to cardiovascular collapse.
C. Slow the injection if the medication crystallizes: If the medication crystallizes, the nurse should stop the injection immediately and flush the IV line with normal saline. However, preventing crystallization by administering the medication slowly over the recommended time is preferable.
D. Follow the IV injection with sterile water: Following the IV injection with sterile water is not a standard practice for administering phenytoin. Instead, the nurse should follow institutional guidelines for flushing the IV line after medication administration, typically with normal saline.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Disulfiram: Disulfiram is not used to manage alcohol withdrawal. It is a medication used in the treatment of alcohol dependence to deter alcohol consumption by producing unpleasant side effects if alcohol is ingested.
B. Methadone: Methadone is primarily used in the treatment of opioid dependence as a long-acting opioid agonist. It is not indicated for alcohol withdrawal.
C. Buprenorphine: Buprenorphine is also used in the treatment of opioid dependence. Like methadone, it is not used in the management of alcohol withdrawal.
D. Diazepam: Diazepam is a benzodiazepine medication commonly used to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It helps alleviate symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, tremors, and seizures associated with alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines are the mainstay of treatment for alcohol withdrawal syndrome due to their ability to suppress central nervous system hyperexcitability and prevent progression to severe withdrawal symptoms and seizures.
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