A patient who is hypotensive is receiving dopamine, an adrenergic agonist IV at the rate of 6 mcg/kg/min. Which intervention should the nurse implement when administering this medication?
Implement seizure precautions.
Monitor serum potassium frequently.
Ensure pump accuracy to prevent toxicity.
Encourage the patient to ambulate every hour.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: This is incorrect because seizure precautions are not indicated for dopamine administration. Dopamine does not lower the seizure threshold or cause convulsions.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect because monitoring serum potassium frequently is not necessary for dopamine administration. Dopamine does not affect potassium levels or cause hyperkalemia or hypokalemia.
Choice C reason: This is correct because ensuring pump accuracy to prevent toxicity is essential for dopamine administration. Dopamine is a potent vasoconstrictor that can cause tissue necrosis, gangrene, and hypertension if overdosed.
Choice D reason: Dopamine is given to hypotensive patients, meaning they may be weak, dizzy, or at risk of falls. Ambulating frequently could worsen hypotension and increase fall risk rather than help the patient. Instead, the nurse should monitor the patient’s hemodynamic status and ensure bed rest as needed until blood pressure stabilizes.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: When the client has ankle edema, it is important for the nurse to assess for other signs of fluid retention, such as weight gain, jugular venous distension, and crackles in the lungs. However, ankle edema alone is not a specific indicator of preeclampsia or eclampsia, which are conditions that can cause hyperreflexia or increased DTRs.
Choice C reason: During admission to labor and delivery, it is important for the nurse to assess various aspects of the client's health status, such as vital signs, fetal heart rate, contractions, cervical dilation, and pain level. However, assessing DTRs is not a routine part of labor and delivery assessment unless there are signs of preeclampsia or eclampsia.
Choice D reason: Within the first trimester of pregnancy, it is important for the nurse to assess for signs of pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, bleeding, infection, and ectopic pregnancy. However, assessing DTRs is not a routine part of first trimester assessment unless there are signs of neurological disorders or spinal cord injury.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Which medication works best for you? This is not the most important question, as it does not address the current status or risk of the client. The medication history is a part of the assessment, but it does not help identify the content or impact of the hallucinations.
Choice B: When do you hear voices? This is not the most important question, as it does not address the current status or risk of the client. The frequency and timing of the hallucinations are a part of the assessment, but they do not help identify the content or impact of the hallucinations.
Choice C: How do you cope with the voices? This is not the most important question, as it does not address the current status or risk of the client. The coping strategies are a part of the assessment, but they do not help identify the content or impact of the hallucinations.
Choice D: What are the voices saying? This is the most important question, as it addresses the current status and risk of the client. The content and impact of the hallucinations are a part of the assessment, as they can help identify if the client is experiencing command hallucinations, which may instruct them to harm themselves or others.
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