The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient who has a prescription for phenytoin. Which of the following information should the nurse include?
Provide a urine sample to determine therapeutic levels of the medication
Take the medication at the same time every day
Watch for bleeding gums when taking the medication
Consider taking an antacid when on this medication
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Providing a urine sample to determine therapeutic levels of phenytoin is not typically a part of routine discharge instructions. While monitoring of phenytoin levels is important, it's usually done through blood tests, and the frequency of testing is determined by the healthcare provider based on individual patient factors.
Choice C rationale:
Bleeding gums are not a common side effect of phenytoin. While some individuals might experience gum tenderness or overgrowth, significant bleeding is not expected.
Choice D rationale:
Antacids can actually interfere with the absorption of phenytoin, potentially reducing its effectiveness. Therefore, it's generally not recommended to take antacids regularly while on phenytoin therapy. If a patient needs to take an antacid for occasional heartburn or indigestion, it's best to take it at least 2 hours before or after the phenytoin dose.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Anorexia nervosa is a condition characterized by severe weight loss and malnutrition. People with anorexia nervosa are often deficient in nutrients, including purines. Purines are broken down in the body to produce uric acid. When there is an excess of purines in the body, uric acid levels can rise, leading to gout.
Choice B is incorrect. While consuming foods low in purines can help to prevent gout attacks, it is not a risk factor for developing gout.
Choice C is incorrect. Children are not at risk for developing gout. Gout is more common in adults, especially men.
Choice D is incorrect. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that is not associated with an increased risk of gout.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Hydroxychloroquine can cause a rare but serious side effect called bone marrow suppression. This is a decrease in the production of blood cells in the bone marrow.
White blood cells (WBCs) are a key component of the immune system, and a decrease in WBCs can make a patient more susceptible to infections.
Therefore, it's crucial for nurses to monitor the patient's WBC count to detect any potential bone marrow suppression early and take necessary actions to prevent or manage infections.
Choice B rationale:
An increased blood cell count is not a typical side effect of hydroxychloroquine.
Some conditions, like polycythemia vera, can cause an increase in blood cell count, but they are not related to hydroxychloroquine use.
Choice C rationale:
While hydroxychloroquine can sometimes cause a decrease in platelet count, it's less common than bone marrow suppression affecting WBCs.
However, it's still essential for nurses to monitor platelet counts as well, as a significantly low platelet count can impair blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding.
Choice D rationale:
Hydroxychloroquine does not typically affect red blood cell (RBC) counts.
Conditions that affect RBC counts, such as anemia, are not directly related to hydroxychloroquine use.
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