A patient has been administered famotidine.

Which observation would suggest that the medication has not had its intended effect?

The patient complains of a persistent cough.

The patient denies experiencing a sour taste in their mouth.

The pH level of the patient’s stomach is measured at 5.

The patient reports experiencing headaches.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale
A persistent cough is not directly related to the administration of famotidine. Famotidine is a histamine-2 blocker that works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces. It is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines and to treat conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid. A persistent cough could be a symptom of many other conditions, but it is not a direct indicator of the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of famotidine.
Choice B rationale
The absence of a sour taste in the mouth, often associated with acid reflux, could suggest that famotidine is working as it should. However, the absence of a sour taste does not definitively indicate that the medication has had its intended effect, as the patient may not have experienced this symptom even before taking the medication.
Choice C rationale
Famotidine is used to decrease the amount of acid in the stomach. A normal stomach pH is typically around 1.5 to 3.5, which is highly acidic. If a patient’s stomach pH is measured at 5, which is less acidic than normal, it could suggest that the famotidine has not had its intended effect of reducing stomach acid.
Choice D rationale
While headaches are listed as a common side effect of famotidine, the presence of headaches does not necessarily suggest that the medication has not had its intended effect. Headaches could be caused by a variety of factors and are not a direct indicator of the level of stomach acid or the effectiveness of famotidine.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Lactulose is used to treat hepatic encephalopathy, a condition that affects patients with liver failure. It works by reducing the absorption of ammonia in the gut. Having loose, watery stools is a desired therapeutic effect of lactulose. Therefore, no action is required if the patient is oriented and has had 6 loose, watery stools since 07007.
Choice B rationale
Withholding the dose and contacting the doctor for daily stool count parameters is not necessary in this situation. The patient is currently oriented, which suggests that the lactulose is effectively managing their hepatic encephalopathy.
Choice C rationale
Administering the medication because diarrhea is a common side effect is not the correct course of action. The presence of loose, watery stools is not merely a side effect, but a desired therapeutic effect of lactulose in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.
Choice D rationale
Removing fall precautions due to changes in mental status is not necessary in this situation. The patient is currently oriented, which suggests that the lactulose is effectively managing their hepatic encephalopathy.

A. Draw up the regular insulin last. B. Draw up the insulins after mixing them in a vial. C. Draw up the medications in separate syringes. D. Draw up the NPH insulin last.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
When a patient is administering both regular insulin and NPH insulin, it’s important to draw up the regular insulin first. This is because regular insulin is clear and NPH insulin is cloudy. If the NPH (cloudy) insulin were drawn up into the syringe first, it could contaminate the regular (clear) insulin when drawing it up second. This could affect the action of the regular insulin, which is meant to be fast-acting.
Choice B rationale
Mixing insulins in a vial before drawing them up is not recommended. This could lead to inaccurate dosing and potential contamination of one or both vials. It’s safer and more accurate to draw up each type of insulin separately into the syringe.
Choice C rationale
While it’s possible to administer insulin using separate syringes, it’s usually not necessary and can be more cumbersome for the patient. As long as the patient is careful to avoid contaminating the insulins and to draw them up in the correct order (regular before NPH), they can be administered together in the same syringe.
Choice D rationale
Drawing up the NPH insulin last is not correct. As mentioned earlier, the regular insulin should be drawn up first to avoid contaminating it with the NPH insulin.

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A patient has been administered famotidine. Which observation would suggest that the medication has not had its intended effect?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient with liver failure has been admitted with hepatic encephalopathy and is prescribed lactulose every 2 hours. The patient is currently oriented and has had 6 loose, watery stools since 0700. The 1400 dose of lactulose is due. What should be the nurse’s next course of action?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is teaching a patient about home administration of insulin. The patient will receive regular insulin and NPH insulin at 0700 every day. What is important to teach the patient?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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A patient has been administered famotidine.

Which observation would suggest that the medication has not had its intended effect?