A client with heart failure (HF) develops hyperaldosteronism and spironolactone is prescribed. Which instruction should the nurse include in the client’s plan of care?
Monitor skin for excessive bruising.
Replace salt with a salt substitute.
Cover your skin before going outside.
Limit the intake of foods high in potassium.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A Reason:
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic often prescribed for heart failure. While monitoring for side effects is important, excessive bruising is not a common side effect of spironolactone. Bruising might be more relevant for patients on anticoagulants or those with clotting disorders.
Choice B Reason:
Replacing salt with a salt substitute is not advisable for patients on spironolactone. Many salt substitutes contain potassium chloride, which can lead to hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) when combined with spironolactone. Hyperkalemia can cause serious cardiac issues, including arrhythmias.
Choice C Reason:
Covering the skin before going outside is not specifically related to the use of spironolactone. This advice might be more relevant for medications that cause photosensitivity, such as certain antibiotics or diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide, but not spironolactone.
Choice D Reason:
Limiting the intake of foods high in potassium is crucial for patients taking spironolactone. Spironolactone can increase potassium levels in the blood, and consuming high-potassium foods (like bananas, oranges, and potatoes) can exacerbate this effect, leading to hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia can be dangerous and cause symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, and cardiac arrhythmias.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Decreased episodes of incontinence are not a relevant outcome of administering zolpidem. Zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic medication primarily used to treat insomnia by enhancing the activity of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. It does not affect urinary function or bladder control. Incontinence may be caused by other factors such as aging, prostate problems, or urinary tract infections, but it is not influenced by zolpidem.
Choice B reason:
Improved ability to concentrate is not a pertinent outcome of administering zolpidem. This medication does not enhance cognitive function or attention span. In fact, zolpidem may impair memory and cause daytime drowsiness or confusion in some patients. Its primary function is to induce sleep, not to improve concentration.
Choice C reason:
Exhibiting fewer emotional outbursts is not a significant outcome of administering zolpidem. This medication does not affect mood or behavior. In some cases, zolpidem may cause paradoxical reactions such as agitation, aggression, or hallucinations, especially in older adults. Therefore, it is not used to manage emotional outbursts.
Choice D reason:
Sleeps soundly through the night is the desired outcome of administering zolpidem. This medication is specifically designed to treat sleep problems, particularly difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. By enhancing the activity of GABA, zolpidem helps induce and maintain sleep, which is the primary goal when prescribing this medication to patients with insomnia.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Phenazopyridine does not eliminate urinary bacteria. It is not an antibiotic and does not have antibacterial properties. Instead, it is used to relieve symptoms such as pain, burning, and discomfort caused by irritation of the urinary tract. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
Choice B reason:
Using phenazopyridine after voiding or after sexual intercourse is not a standard recommendation. This medication is typically taken after meals to reduce stomach upset. It is not specifically indicated for use after sexual intercourse, and this choice does not align with the typical usage instructions for phenazopyridine.
Choice C reason:
Phenazopyridine does not calm spasms in the urinary tract. Its primary function is to provide symptomatic relief from pain, burning, and discomfort in the urinary tract. It does not have antispasmodic properties, so this choice is also incorrect.
Choice D reason:
Phenazopyridine provides an analgesic effect for irritated bladder mucosa. It works by numbing the lining of the urinary tract, which helps to alleviate pain and discomfort associated with conditions like cystitis. This is the correct therapeutic effect of the medication.
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