A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who uses a nitroglycerine patch to treat angina. The client now has a new prescription for nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
Swallow the tablet whole with an 8 oz glass of water.
Store the medication in a pill box at the bedside.
Take the medication at the first indication of chest pain.
Remove the nitroglycerine patch before taking the sublingual tablet.
The Correct Answer is C
(A) Swallow the tablet whole with an 8 oz glass of water.
Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets should not be swallowed. They need to be placed under the tongue where they can dissolve and be absorbed quickly to provide rapid relief from angina.
(B) Store the medication in a pill box at the bedside.
Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets should be stored in their original container and kept tightly closed to protect them from light and moisture. Storing them in a pill box at the bedside could lead to degradation of the medication.
(C) Take the medication at the first indication of chest pain.
This is the correct instruction. Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets should be taken at the first sign of chest pain to provide prompt relief. The rapid onset of action helps to alleviate angina symptoms quickly.
(D) Remove the nitroglycerine patch before taking the sublingual tablet.
It is not necessary to remove the nitroglycerin patch before taking a sublingual tablet. The two forms of nitroglycerin can be used together, as the patch provides a continuous dose while the sublingual tablet offers rapid relief of acute symptoms.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
(A) Place the client in high-Fowler’s position and encourage the use of incentive spirometer and coughing: This is the most appropriate action. The high-Fowler’s position can help improve lung expansion and gas exchange, while the use of an incentive spirometer and coughing can help clear secretions and improve ventilation. This is particularly important for a client who is postoperative following an open thoracotomy.
(B) Switch oxygen to a nonrebreather mask: Switching to a nonrebreather mask may deliver a higher concentration of oxygen, but it does not address the underlying issue of impaired gas exchange due to decreased lung expansion and retained secretions.
(C) Position the client prone and have the respiratory therapist perform postural drainage: While postural drainage can help clear secretions, it may not be comfortable or safe for a client who is 1 day postoperative following an open thoracotomy.
(D) Increase oxygen to 70%: Increasing the oxygen concentration may improve the client’s oxygen saturation, but it does not address the underlying issue of impaired gas exchange due to decreased lung expansion and retained secretions. Furthermore, excessively high concentrations of oxygen can have harmful effects, such as oxygen toxicity or suppression of the respiratory drive in some clients.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
(A) "I’ll breathe deeply and cough every 4 hours."
Deep breathing and coughing exercises should be done more frequently, typically every 1-2 hours while awake, to help prevent respiratory complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia.
(B) "I’ll splint my incision with a pillow to cough."
This statement indicates an understanding of the instructions. Splinting the incision with a pillow helps support the surgical site, reduces pain, and makes coughing more effective and less uncomfortable. This technique is important for clients to use to help clear secretions from the lungs postoperatively.
(C) "I’ll start to use the incentive spirometer when I can get out of bed."
The use of an incentive spirometer should begin as soon as possible, usually while the client is still in bed, to encourage deep breathing and prevent postoperative respiratory complications. It should not be delayed until the client can get out of bed.
(D) "I’ll lie flat in bed to cough and deep breathe."
Lying flat is not the optimal position for deep breathing and coughing exercises, as it can make it more difficult to fully expand the lungs. The client should be positioned with the head of the bed elevated or sitting up to facilitate better lung expansion and more effective coughing.
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