After administering furosemide 20 mg PO to a client diagnosed with hypertension and peripheral edema, which finding would best indicate that the therapeutic effect of the medication has been achieved?

Blood pressure remains stable at 130/86 mmHg.

Lungs are clear to auscultation.

Serum potassium has decreased from 4.0 to 3.5 mEq/L.

Urine output increases from 30 mL per hour to 100 mL per hour.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A Reason
While maintaining a stable blood pressure is important for a client with hypertension, furosemide is primarily a diuretic, and its therapeutic effect is to reduce fluid overload, not directly to stabilize blood pressure. Therefore, this finding alone does not best indicate the therapeutic effect of furosemide.

Choice B Reason
Clear lungs upon auscultation suggest an improvement in pulmonary edema, which can be associated with fluid overload in conditions such as heart failure. However, for a client with peripheral edema, the primary therapeutic goal of furosemide is to reduce the excess fluid in the extremities, not just the lungs.

Choice C Reason
A decrease in serum potassium is a known side effect of furosemide due to its action on the kidneys, leading to increased excretion of potassium. While it's important to monitor for hypokalemia, a decrease in potassium does not directly indicate the therapeutic effect of reducing edema.

Choice D Reason
An increase in urine output from 30 mL per hour to 100 mL per hour is a direct indication that furosemide is achieving its therapeutic effect. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urine production to help the body eliminate excess fluid, thereby reducing edema associated with conditions like hypertension.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A Reason
Performing a bladder scan can help determine the volume of urine in the bladder and assess for urinary retention, which could contribute to bladder spasms. However, this is not typically the first intervention. The priority is to ensure that the catheter is patent and draining correctly, as blockages can cause immediate discomfort and increased spasms

Choice B Reason
Stopping the irrigation could be considered if there is a concern that the CBI is contributing to the spasms. However, this would not be the first action taken. It is essential first to assess the catheter's patency and the flow of the irrigation to rule out any obstruction or kinking causing the spasms.

Choice C Reason
Administering an oral analgesic may help alleviate the discomfort caused by bladder spasms, but it does not address the underlying cause. Pain relief is important, but the initial step should be to check for and resolve any mechanical issues with the catheter system that could be causing the spasms.

Choice D Reason
Ensuring that the catheter is draining properly is the first and most crucial intervention. If the catheter is blocked or kinked, it can cause bladder distention and increased spasms. Checking the catheter's patency and the flow of irrigation can quickly resolve the issue and provide relief to the patient. If the catheter is found to be obstructed, resolving the blockage can decrease the severity of the spasms and improve the patient's comfort.

A. Ceftriaxone, with a white blood cell count of 16,000 u/L. B. Zafirlukast, with an AST of 30 units/L and ALT of 20 units/L. C. Theophylline, with a theophylline level of 21 mg/dL. D. Prednisone, with a glucose level of 110 mg/dL.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A Reason
Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic that may be prescribed during COPD exacerbations to treat or prevent infection. A white blood cell count of 16,000 u/L indicates an elevated level, which could be a response to infection. Therefore, ceftriaxone would be appropriate, and there is no need to question this medication based on the white blood cell count.

Choice B Reason
Zafirlukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used for the prophylactic treatment of asthma, and it may be used off-label for COPD. AST and ALT levels are liver enzymes, and the values provided (AST of 30 units/L and ALT of 20 units/L) are within normal ranges. Thus, there is no immediate concern regarding liver function that would prompt the nurse to question the use of zafirlukast.

Choice C Reason
Theophylline is a bronchodilator used in the treatment of COPD. However, a theophylline level of 21 mg/dL is above the therapeutic range, which is generally considered to be 5-15 mg/dL. Levels above 20 mg/dL are associated with toxicity and can lead to serious side effects such as seizures or arrhythmias. Therefore, the nurse should question this medication due to the high theophylline level.

Choice D Reason
Prednisone is a corticosteroid that may be used to reduce inflammation during COPD exacerbations. A glucose level of 110 mg/dL is slightly elevated but may be expected as corticosteroids can increase blood sugar levels. This would not typically be a reason to question the use of prednisone unless the patient has poorly controlled diabetes or other specific contraindications.

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After administering furosemide 20 mg PO to a client diagnosed with hypertension and peripheral edema, which finding would best indicate that the therapeutic effect of the medication has been achieved?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Which medication should the nurse question for a client admitted with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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