The patient is a 75-year-old female who has been admitted to the preoperative area in preparation for pacemaker insertion.

She reports that she is undergoing this procedure because her heart rate has been consistently low, she feels constantly fatigued, and she has experienced one episode of fainting due to a low heart rate.

The patient has a history of progressively worsening symptomatic bradycardia and a history of atrial fibrillation, which is controlled by medication.

She has been off anticoagulants for four days in preparation for the procedure.

As the nurse prepares the patient’s plan of care, which four findings would indicate that it would be safe to administer the antibiotic vancomycin?

Potassium level is 4.4 mEq/L (4.4 mmol/L).

The antibiotic is being used for prophylaxis.

Blood urea nitrogen level is 17 mg/dL (6.07 mmol/L).

The dosage of the antibiotic is within the safe range.

The patient has no known allergies.

The patient has a peripheral IV in a large vein.

Answer and Explanation

Correct Answer : A,B,C,E

Choice A rationale
A potassium level of 4.4 mEq/L (4.4 mmol/L) is within the normal range. Potassium is a critical electrolyte in the body, playing key roles in cellular metabolism, protein synthesis, and electrical action potential regulation across cell membranes. Normal potassium levels typically range from 3.5 to 5.1 mmol/L1. Therefore, a potassium level of 4.4 mEq/L indicates that the patient’s potassium level is within the normal range, which is a safe condition for the administration of vancomycin.
Choice B rationale

The use of antibiotics for prophylaxis, or prevention, is a common practice in healthcare, particularly in surgical procedures such as pacemaker insertion. This is done to prevent potential infections that could occur during or after the procedure. Vancomycin is a type of antibiotic that is often used for prophylaxis against infections caused by gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)3. Therefore, if the antibiotic is being used for prophylaxis, it would be safe to administer vancomycin.
Choice C rationale
A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 17 mg/dL (6.07 mmol/L) is within the normal range. The BUN test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood, which can provide important information about kidney function. Urea nitrogen is a waste product that is created in the liver when protein is metabolized. It is then transported through the blood to the kidneys, which filter out most of the urea nitrogen, leaving a small amount in the blood. Normal BUN levels typically range from 6 to 20 mg/dL4. Therefore, a BUN level of 17 mg/dL indicates that the patient’s kidney function is within the normal range, which is a safe condition for the administration of vancomycin.
Choice E rationale
The absence of known allergies in a patient is a crucial factor in determining the safety of administering any medication, including vancomycin. Allergic reactions to medications can range from mild symptoms such as rash and itching to severe and life-threatening conditions such as anaphylaxis. Therefore, if a patient has no known allergies, it would be safe to administer vancomycin.
Choice D rationale

While it’s true that the dosage of the antibiotic should be within the safe range, the specific dosage of vancomycin for the patient isn’t provided in the question. Therefore, we cannot definitively say that this condition is met based on the information given.
Choice F rationale
Although vancomycin can be administered via a peripheral IV in a large vein, it’s important to note that vancomycin has a low pH and may cause venous irritation and tissue damage in cases of extravasation. Therefore, while it’s possible to administer vancomycin this way, it’s not necessarily an indicator of safety.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is ["1.8"]

Explanation

The client weighs 132 pounds. To convert pounds to kilograms, divide the weight in pounds by

2.2. So, the client’s weight in kilograms is: Step 1: 132 pounds ÷ 2.2 = 60 kg The prescription for dantrolene is 1.5 mg/kg. To find out how many milligrams the client should receive, multiply the client’s weight in kilograms by the dosage in mg/kg: Step 2: 60 kg × 1.5 mg/kg = 90 mg The vial is reconstituted to yield a concentration of 50 mg/mL. To find out how many mL the nurse should administer, divide the total dosage in milligrams by the concentration in mg/mL: Step 3: 90 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 1.8 mL So, the nurse should administer 1.8 mL of dantrolene.

A. Recommend a case management evaluation of the client’s home environment. B. Suggest the caregiver consider employing a private duty nurse for respite. C. Propose that extended family could relocate to the area to provide support. D. Advise contacting social services to locate a respite care facility for the client.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale
While a case management evaluation of the client’s home environment could potentially identify areas for improvement, it may not directly address the caregiver’s immediate need for relief from their caregiving responsibilities. The caregiver is experiencing sleepless nights and frequent bouts of crying, which could be signs of caregiver burnout or depression. Therefore, immediate respite care may be more beneficial.

Choice B rationale
Employing a private duty nurse for respite could provide temporary relief for the caregiver. However, this option might not be feasible due to potential financial constraints. Additionally, it may not provide the caregiver with the emotional support they may need.

Choice C rationale
Proposing that extended family could relocate to the area to provide support is a potential long-term solution. However, it may not be feasible or practical for extended family members to relocate. This option also does not address the caregiver’s immediate need for relief and support.

Choice D rationale

Advising the caregiver to contact social services to locate a respite care facility for the client could provide the caregiver with the immediate relief they need. Respite care facilities offer temporary relief for caregivers by providing short-term care for the individual they are caring for. This would allow the caregiver to rest and take care of their own needs, which could help alleviate their symptoms of sleepless nights and frequent bouts of crying.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is ["1.8"]

Explanation

A caregiver brings a client with end-stage Alzheimer’s disease to the clinic for an appointment with the healthcare provider. The caregiver confides in the nurse about experiencing sleepless nights and frequent bouts of crying. What action should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is developing a teaching plan for a client with acute gastritis caused by drinking contaminated water. The nurse should emphasize the need to report the onset of which problem?

The nurse instructs an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to turn an immobilized older client with an indwelling urinary catheter every two hours. What additional action should the nurse instruct the UAP to perform each time the client is turned?

The nurse notices redness under the chin of a client who is receiving oxygen at 2 L/minute via a nasal cannula. What action should the nurse take?

A client on the mental health unit has been displaying signs of agitation, such as scowling and pacing rapidly up and down the hallway for several minutes. Which behaviors should the nurse prioritize for monitoring?

Which intervention should the nurse implement during the administration of a vesicant chemotherapeutic agent via an intravenous (IV) site in the client’s arm?

The nurse is preparing a 50 mL dose of 50% dextrose IV for a patient with insulin shock. What is the appropriate method for administering the medication?