The nurse notes that the patient is scratching and has hives 2 hours after receiving a dose of antibiotic medication.
The patient soon starts having difficulty breathing and his blood pressure drops. What is the correct analysis of the patient’s condition?
The patient is experiencing a moderate allergic reaction and should improve shortly.
These symptoms are probably due to food poisoning because very few patients have true allergic responses.
The patient is having an anaphylactic reaction and emergency interventions should be started.
The patient is having a mild reaction that can be treated easily with an antihistamine.
The Correct Answer is C
Rationale for Choice A:
Incorrect. While the patient is experiencing an allergic reaction, it is not moderate. The presence of difficulty breathing and a drop in blood pressure are signs of a severe, life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.
Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapid-onset allergic reaction that can lead to death if not treated promptly. It typically involves multiple body systems, including the skin, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal system.
Moderate allergic reactions typically present with localized symptoms such as hives, itching, and redness. They do not typically involve respiratory or cardiovascular compromise.
Rationale for Choice B:
Incorrect. The patient's symptoms are not consistent with food poisoning. Food poisoning typically causes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. It does not typically cause hives, difficulty breathing, or a drop in blood pressure.
The timing of the symptoms, occurring 2 hours after receiving an antibiotic, strongly suggests an allergic reaction to the medication.
Rationale for Choice C:
Correct. The patient's symptoms are consistent with anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate emergency treatment.
Key features of anaphylaxis include:
Skin involvement (hives, itching, flushing, swelling)
Respiratory distress (difficulty breathing, wheezing, tightness in the chest) Cardiovascular compromise (drop in blood pressure, lightheadedness, fainting) Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
Swelling of the tongue or throat
Rationale for Choice D:
Incorrect. The patient's reaction is not mild and cannot be treated with an antihistamine alone. Antihistamines are effective for mild allergic reactions, but they are not sufficient to treat anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis requires immediate treatment with epinephrine, which is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of the allergic reaction.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Step 1: Convert the prescribed dose to milligrams. 400 mcg = 0.4 mg (since 1 mg = 1000 mcg)
Step 2: Compare the prescribed dose to the pill strength. The prescribed dose is 0.4 mg.
The pill strength is 0.4 mg.
Step 3: Determine the number of pills needed.
Since the prescribed dose and pill strength are equal, only one pill is needed to administer the correct dose.
Rationale for Choice A:
Correct: One pill of 0.4 mg will provide the exact dose of 400 mcg that has been prescribed.
Direct match: The pill strength matches the prescribed dose, eliminating the need for any calculations or adjustments.
Therapeutic equivalence: Administering one pill ensures that the patient receives the intended amount of medication to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
Adherence to prescription: Conforms to the healthcare provider's instructions, promoting accurate and safe medication administration.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Shearing force is the primary factor that contributes to the formation of pressure injuries when a patient's body slides downward. It occurs when two surfaces move in opposite directions, causing stress and strain on the tissues between them.
Compression of Tissues: When the patient's body slides downward, the skin and underlying tissues are compressed between the bony prominences (such as the sacrum or heels) and the surface of the bed. This compression restricts blood flow to the area, depriving the tissues of oxygen and nutrients.
Tissue Stretching and Tearing: As the body slides, the skin and underlying tissues are also stretched and pulled in opposite directions. This shearing force disrupts the normal alignment of cells and tissues, leading to microscopic tears and damage.
Impaired Blood Flow: Shearing force further compromises blood flow by stretching and compressing blood vessels. This reduces the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, while also hindering the removal of waste products.
Tissue Damage and Necrosis: The combination of compression, stretching, and impaired blood flow leads to cell death and tissue necrosis. This is the hallmark of pressure injuries, which can range from superficial blisters to deep ulcers that extend into muscle and bone.
Factors that Increase Shearing Force: Certain factors can increase the risk of shearing force and pressure injury development, including:
Increased moisture (from sweat or incontinence) Decreased mobility
Poor skin integrity
Malnutrition
Friction from bedsheets
In conclusion, shearing force is the main factor that contributes to pressure injury formation when a patient's body slides downward. It disrupts blood flow, damages tissues, and can lead to significant wounds.
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