A patient is scheduled to receive intravenous acyclovir.

What should the nurse do first before administering the scheduled dose?

Infuse the medication slowly, over a period of 60-90 minutes.

Dilute the acyclovir in 1 liter of normal saline.

Check the intravenous site for any signs of redness, heat, or swelling.

Examine the patient for any open herpetic lesions.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale
Infusing the medication slowly over a period of 60-90 minutes is a common practice for many intravenous medications to prevent adverse reactions. However, this is not the first step a nurse should take before administering intravenous acyclovir.
Choice B rationale
While diluting certain medications in a liter of normal saline can be a part of the preparation process, it is not the first step a nurse should take before administering intravenous acyclovir.
Choice C rationale
Checking the intravenous site for any signs of redness, heat, or swelling is the correct first step before administering any intravenous medication. This is to ensure that the IV site is not infected or inflamed, which could lead to complications such as phlebitis or infiltration.
Choice D rationale
Examining the patient for any open herpetic lesions is important when administering acyclovir, as the medication is used to treat herpes infections. However, this is not the first step a nurse should take before administering the medication.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
While measuring the correct dosage is an important step in administering nystatin, it is not the first step. The first step should always be to ensure that the medication is properly mixed to ensure an even distribution of the medication.
Choice B rationale
Recording the amount of medication administered is an important step in medication administration, but it is not the first step. The first step should be to ensure that the medication is properly mixed.
Choice C rationale
Instructing the client to swish the nystatin around their mouth is an important part of the administration process, but it is not the first step. The first step should be to ensure that the medication is properly mixed.
Choice D rationale
Vigorously shaking the nystatin bottle is the first step in administering nystatin. This ensures that the medication is properly mixed and that the patient will receive the correct dosage.

A. Discuss with the provider the possibility of using a different antibiotic. B. Administer the amoxicillin and keep epinephrine on hand. C. Request the provider to prescribe an antihistamine. D. Ask for an order for a beta-lactamase resistant drug.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Amoxicillin is a type of penicillin, and if a client has had a rash or any other allergic reaction to penicillin in the past, it’s possible they could have a similar reaction to amoxicillin. Therefore, the nurse should discuss with the provider the possibility of using a different antibiotic. This is important because allergic reactions to antibiotics can be severe and even life-threatening.
Choice B rationale
Administering the amoxicillin and keeping epinephrine on hand is not the best course of action. While epinephrine can be used to treat severe allergic reactions, it’s better to avoid the risk of an allergic reaction in the first place if possible.
Choice C rationale
Requesting the provider to prescribe an antihistamine would not address the potential for a serious allergic reaction to the amoxicillin. Antihistamines can help with mild allergic reactions, but they may not be sufficient for a severe reaction.
Choice D rationale
Asking for an order for a beta-lactamase resistant drug might not be necessary. Beta-lactamase resistant drugs are used to treat infections caused by bacteria that produce beta-lactamase, an enzyme that can break down and resist penicillins. However, the client’s allergy to penicillin does not necessarily mean that a beta-lactamase resistant drug is required.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A patient is scheduled to receive intravenous acyclovir. What should the nurse do first before administering the scheduled dose?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

When the nurse is about to administer nystatin, which has been prescribed by the physician for a client with an oral candida infection that includes the roof of the mouth and the back of the throat, what should be the first step?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is about to give a client amoxicillin but discovers that the client had a rash when taking penicillin in the past. What should the nurse’s next step be?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A client is prescribed milk of magnesia. After reviewing the client’s lab results, which potential electrolyte imbalance is the nurse concerned about?

The nurse has provided education to a patient with diabetes who is starting on insulin injections. The nurse asks the patient, “What should you do if your fasting blood glucose is 57 mg/dL?” Which response by the patient would indicate an understanding of the education provided?

The nurse is to administer insulin to a diabetic client. The finger stick blood glucose is 128. The client has 4 units of insulin lispro scheduled with meals in addition to the following adjustments scale. How many units of insulin will the nurse administer?

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?

A patient has been newly prescribed gentamicin 120mg, IM, once. After reviewing the patient’s home medication list, which medication should the nurse be most concerned about?

A patient is scheduled for surgery this morning and the nurse is administering the morning medications. Which scheduled morning medication should the nurse withhold and not administer on the morning of surgery?

The nurse is caring for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who is on high doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for joint pain relief. The patient expresses concerns about gastric irritation. What medication could the nurse suggest to the physician to alleviate gastric irritation?

A patient is scheduled to receive intravenous acyclovir.

What should the nurse do first before administering the scheduled dose?