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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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
A positive pregnancy test is crucial information that must be reported immediately as it has significant implications for the patient's health and treatment options. Pregnancy can impact the results of a Schilling's test, which is used to diagnose B12 deficiency anemia, as pregnancy itself can cause changes in B12 metabolism. Therefore, the healthcare provider must be informed to adjust the diagnostic approach and ensure the safety of both the mother and the developing fetus.

Choice B Reason:
While a hemoglobin level of 9.5 g/dL is below the normal range for adult females (11.6 to 15 g/dL) and a hematocrit of 32% is at the lower end of the normal range (36% to 44%)[^10^], these results are consistent with anemia but are not as immediately critical as a positive pregnancy test in the context of a Schilling's test.

Choice C Reason:
A glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c) level of 7.5% is above the normal range (4% to 5.9%), indicating poor blood sugar control over the past two to three months, which could suggest diabetes or prediabetes. However, this is not as urgent as a positive pregnancy test when considering the administration of a Schilling's test.

Choice D Reason:
A serum cholesterol level of 237 mg/dL is considered borderline high (200 to 239 mg/dL), which may increase the risk of heart disease over time. However, this does not require immediate reporting in the context of a Schilling's test for B12 deficiency anemia as compared to a positive pregnancy test.

A. Petechiae on the chest. B. An edematous calf. C. Elevated temperature. D. Paresthesia distal to the fracture.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A Reason
Petechiae on the chest are a classic sign of fat emboli syndrome (FES). FES is a rare but serious complication that can occur after a long bone fracture, such as a femur fracture. The petechiae result from small fat droplets that travel to the skin's capillaries and cause pinpoint hemorrhages. This symptom is part of the classic triad for FES, which includes respiratory distress, neurological symptoms, and a petechial rash.

Choice B Reason
While an edematous calf may be a concern for deep vein thrombosis or other complications following a fracture, it is not a specific indicator of FES. Edema in the calf could be due to various reasons, including local trauma from the fracture itself or immobilization.

Choice C Reason
An elevated temperature can be associated with many post-injury complications, including infection or inflammatory response. However, it is not specific to FES. While patients with FES may present with fever, it is not one of the primary diagnostic criteria.

Choice D Reason
Paresthesia distal to the fracture could indicate nerve damage or compartment syndrome, which are important to assess in a patient with a femur fracture. However, paresthesia is not a specific sign of FES. The neurological symptoms associated with FES are more generalized and often include confusion or altered mental status.

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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

The nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings for a 34-year-old woman who is scheduled for a Schilling's test for B12 deficiency anemia. Which result should the nurse report immediately to the primary care provider?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the client who sustained a fractured femur in a motor vehicle accident is experiencing fat emboli syndrome?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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