A nurse understands that a common reason why a patient is prescribed a combination of diuretics is because?
They are a part of the initial diuretic therapy.
They decrease the risk of hypokalemia while still excreting sodium.
They boost the blood-pressure-lowering effect of other medications.
They have fewer side effects when used in a drug combination.
The Correct Answer is B
Hypokalemia is a condition where the blood potassium level is too low, which can cause muscle weakness, arrhythmias, and other problems. Diuretics are drugs that increase urine output and help remove excess fluid from the body. Some diuretics, such as loop diuretics, also cause potassium loss in the urine. To prevent hypokalemia, a combination of diuretics may be prescribed, such as a loop diuretic with a potassium-sparing diuretic or a thiazide diuretic. These combinations help balance the potassium level while still removing sodium and water.
Choice A is wrong because they are not a part of the initial diuretic therapy. Combination diuretic therapy is usually reserved for patients who have resistant edema or hypertension that does not respond to monotherapy.
Choice C is wrong because they do not boost the blood-pressure-lowering effect of other medications. Diuretics can lower blood pressure by reducing blood volume and relaxing blood vessels, but they are not used to enhance the effect of other antihypertensive drugs.
Choice D is wrong because they do not have fewer side effects when used in a drug combination. Combination diuretic therapy can increase the risk of electrolyte imbalances, such as hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and metabolic alkalosis. It can also cause hypotension, dehydration, and worsening renal function. Therefore, combination diuretic therapy should be used with caution and close monitoring.
Normal ranges for blood potassium level are 3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L or 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. Normal ranges for blood sodium level are 135 to 145 mmol/L or 135 to 145 mEq/L.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are less than 120/80 mm Hg for normal, 120-129/less than 80 mm Hg for elevated, 130-139/80-89 mm Hg for stage 1 hypertension, and 140 or higher/90 or higher mm Hg for stage 2 hypertension.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Anticoagulant drugs are medicines that prevent blood clots from forming or growing larger.
They do not dissolve existing clots or transport platelets. They work by interfering with different steps of the blood coagulation pathway, which is the process that leads to clot formation.
Choice A is wrong because anticoagulant drugs do not dissolve existing clots.
To dissolve clots, you need fibrinolytic drugs, which break down the fibrin mesh that holds the clots together.
Choice B is wrong because anticoagulant drugs do not transport platelets.
Platelets are blood cells that stick together to form clots.
Anticoagulant drugs may affect the function of platelets, but they do not move them around.
Choice C is wrong because anticoagulant drugs do not act as fibrinolytic agents.
Fibrinolytic agents are drugs that activate plasmin, an enzyme that breaks down fibrin.
Anticoagulant drugs may inhibit the formation of fibrin, but they do not break it down.
Some examples of anticoagulant drugs are warfarin, heparin, and factor Xa inhibitors.
The normal ranges for some blood tests that measure the effects of anticoagulants are:
• Prothrombin time (PT): 11 to 13.5 seconds
• International normalized ratio (INR): 0.8 to 1.2
• Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): 25 to 35 seconds
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Nitroglycerin sublingual is a medication that is used to treat chest pain or angina by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing the oxygen demand of the heart.A common side effect of nitroglycerin sublingual is headache, which may be severe and throbbing.Headache is often a sign that the medication is working.Other possible side effects include flushing, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, fast heart rate, numbness, tingling, burning pain, rash, hives, sweating, pale skin, difficulty breathing and allergic reaction.
Choice A is wrong because nausea is not the most common adverse effect of nitroglycerin sublingual.Nausea may occur in some people, but it is usually mild and transient.
Choice B is wrong because bradycardia (slow heart rate) is not a common adverse effect of nitroglycerin sublingual.Nitroglycerin sublingual may cause tachycardia (fast heart rate) in some people as a result of vasodilation and reflex stimulation of the heart.
Choice C is wrong because hypertension (high blood pressure) is not a common adverse effect of nitroglycerin sublingual.Nitroglycerin sublingual may cause hypotension (low blood pressure) in some people due to its vasodilating action.Hypotension may lead to lightheadedness, fainting or shock in severe cases.
The normal range for blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg for adults.
The normal range for heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute for adults.
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