A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for a nitroglycerin transdermal patch.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
Apply a new patch if you have chest pain.
Discontinue the patch if you experience a headache.
Remove the patch prior to going to bed.
Cover the patch with dry gauze when taking a shower.
The Correct Answer is C
Nitroglycerin transdermal patches are used to prevent episodes of angina (chest pain) in people who have coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart). They work by relaxing the blood vessels so that the heart does not need to work as hard and therefore does not need as much oxygen.
Choice A is wrong because nitroglycerin transdermal patches cannot be used to treat an attack of angina once it has begun. They can only be used to prevent attacks of angina. If you have chest pain, you should use another form of nitroglycerin, such as sublingual tablets or spray.
Choice B is wrong because headache is a common side effect of nitroglycerin transdermal patches and does not mean that you should stop using them. However, you should tell your doctor if the headaches are severe or do not go away. You may also take acetaminophen to relieve the headache.
Choice D is wrong because you do not need to cover the patch with dry gauze when taking a shower. You may shower while you are wearing a nitroglycerin skin patch. If a patch loosens or falls off, replace it with a fresh one.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
This is because the umbilicus is a potential site of infection and should be avoided when administering subcutaneous heparin.
Choice B is wrong because massaging the site after administering the medication can cause bruising and hematoma formation.
Choice C is wrong because a 21-gauge needle is too large for subcutaneous injection and can cause tissue trauma and bleeding.
A smaller needle, such as 25- or 27-gauge, should be used.
Choice D is wrong because aspirating before injecting the medication can increase the risk of hematoma formation and is not recommended for subcutaneous heparin.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is d
Choice A reason:
Administering filgrastim 12 hours after chemotherapy does not typically require an incident report. Filgrastim is often given at least 24 hours after chemotherapy to avoid the risk of increasing the toxicity of the chemotherapy agents. While the timing is closer than recommended, it does not necessarily constitute an error unless specific instructions for the timing were provided by the prescribing physician.
Choice B reason:
The medication vial sitting at room temperature for 2 hours before administration does not require an incident report. Filgrastim can be left out at room temperature for up to 24 hours before use. This is within the safe handling guidelines for the medication.
Choice C reason:
An absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 2,500/mm³ is within the normal range, which is typically 1,500-8,000/mm³. Filgrastim is used to increase neutrophil counts in patients with low ANC due to chemotherapy. Since the ANC was not low before administration, this would not necessitate an incident report, although it may prompt a review of the necessity of the medication.
Choice D reason:
Flushing the client's IV line with dextrose 5% in water before and after the medication was administered is not the standard procedure and could potentially lead to medication errors or adverse effects. Filgrastim should be diluted in glucose 5% in water for intravenous infusion, but not used to flush the line. This deviation from the standard protocol is what necessitates an incident report.
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