The nurse is about to administer the combination medication chlorthalidone and atenolol to a client diagnosed with chronic hypertension. Which interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care? (Select all that apply)
Administer if the blood pressure is 90/60 and monitor for side effects
Hold if the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute
Teach to dangle feet before standing
Encourage to limit the intake of potassium-rich foods
Monitor fluid intake and output
Correct Answer : B,C,E
Choice A reason: Chlorthalidone and atenolol are used to treat hypertension⁴⁵. However, administering the medication when the blood pressure is 90/60 might not be advisable. This is because atenolol, a beta-blocker, can further lower the heart rate and blood pressure¹¹⁷. Therefore, it's important to monitor the patient's blood pressure before administration¹.
Choice B reason: Atenolol can slow the heart rate¹¹⁷. If the heart rate is already less than 60 beats per minute, which is the lower limit of the normal range¹, the medication should be held and the healthcare provider should be notified⁵.
Choice C reason: One of the side effects of atenolol and chlorthalidone is dizziness or lightheadedness¹¹⁷. Teaching the patient to dangle their feet before standing can help prevent orthostatic hypotension, a form of low blood pressure that happens when you stand up from sitting or lying down¹¹.
Choice D reason: Chlorthalidone is a diuretic that can cause the body to lose potassium¹¹⁷. However, atenolol does not have this effect⁵. Therefore, it's not necessary to limit the intake of potassium-rich foods unless advised by a healthcare provider.
Choice E reason: Monitoring fluid intake and output is important when administering diuretics like chlorthalidone⁵. This can help ensure the patient is not becoming dehydrated and help monitor the medication's effectiveness¹¹.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not a correct statement. Meat and eggs mostly contain saturated fats, which are fats that have no double bonds between the carbon atoms. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature and can raise the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. LDL cholesterol is also known as the "bad" cholesterol because it can deposit on the walls of the arteries and cause atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries. The client should limit the intake of saturated fats to less than 10% of the total calories per day.
Choice B reason: This is not a correct statement. Coconut oil is a saturated fat, which is a fat that has no double bonds between the carbon atoms. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature and can raise the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. LDL cholesterol is also known as the "bad" cholesterol because it can deposit on the walls of the arteries and cause atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries. The client should avoid or limit the use of coconut oil and other sources of saturated fats.
Choice C reason: This is the correct statement. Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat, which is a fat that has one double bond between the carbon atoms. Monounsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature and can lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. LDL cholesterol is also known as the "bad" cholesterol because it can deposit on the walls of the arteries and cause atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries. The client should use olive oil and other sources of monounsaturated fats instead of saturated fats.
Choice D reason: This is not a correct statement. Butter is high in saturated fats, which are fats that have no double bonds between the carbon atoms. Saturated fats are solid at room temperature and can raise the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. LDL cholesterol is also known as the "bad" cholesterol because it can deposit on the walls of the arteries and cause atherosclerosis, which is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries. The client should avoid or limit the intake of butter and other sources of saturated fats.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Having analgesic properties without sedation is not the rationale for prescribing aspirin and clopidogrel for coronary artery disease. Aspirin and clopidogrel are antiplatelet drugs that prevent blood clots from forming in the arteries that supply the heart. They do not have significant analgesic or sedative effects.
Choice B reason: Triggering vasodilation and improving blood flow is not the rationale for prescribing aspirin and clopidogrel for coronary artery disease. Aspirin and clopidogrel do not directly cause vasodilation or increase blood flow. They work by reducing the stickiness of platelets and preventing them from clumping together and blocking the arteries.
Choice C reason: Improving contractility and decreasing afterload is not the rationale for prescribing aspirin and clopidogrel for coronary artery disease. Aspirin and clopidogrel do not affect the contractility or the afterload of the heart. They act on the blood vessels and the blood cells, not on the heart muscle. Contractility and afterload are influenced by other drugs such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
Choice D reason: This is the correct answer. Inhibiting platelet aggregation and clot formation is the rationale for prescribing aspirin and clopidogrel for coronary artery disease. Aspirin and clopidogrel are antiplatelet drugs that interfere with the function of platelets, which are blood cells that help with clotting. By inhibiting platelet aggregation and clot formation, aspirin and clopidogrel reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with coronary artery disease.
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