A patient plans to stop taking prescribed clonidine to treat hypertension because of the side effect of dry mouth. Which action by the nurse is best?
Tell the patient that dry mouth is not caused by clonidine.
Give the patient hard candy or gum to relieve the symptom.
Instruct the patient to stop taking the medication immediately.
Advise the patient to take a reduced dose of the medication.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale: Dry mouth is a known side effect of clonidine, and denying this information would be inaccurate.
Choice B rationale: Providing strategies to alleviate the side effect, such as offering hard candy or gum, is a proactive approach to managing the dry mouth without discontinuing the medication.
Choice C rationale: Stopping antihypertensive medication abruptly can lead to rebound hypertension, and the nurse should not encourage discontinuation without consulting the healthcare provider.
Choice D rationale: Adjusting the dose of clonidine should be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider; self-adjustment without professional input is not advisable.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale: "Nausea is not a common side effect of this drug." may not be accurate, and it is important to acknowledge the patient's symptoms.
Choice B rationale: "You should stop taking the medication immediately." is an extreme response and may not be necessary without further assessment.
Choice C rationale: "The nausea will most likely decrease over time." provides reassurance and acknowledges that nausea can be a common side effect that diminishes with continued use.
Choice D rationale: "Try taking the medication on an empty stomach." is a reasonable suggestion to minimize nausea if the medication can be taken without food.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Fatigue is a nonspecific symptom and may not be directly indicative of salicylism.
Choice B rationale: Heartburn after meals is not a classic symptom of salicylism.
Choice C rationale: Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) is a characteristic symptom of salicylism and indicates high levels of aspirin in the blood.
Choice D rationale: Vomiting can occur with aspirin toxicity, but it is not as specific a symptom as tinnitus.
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