The physician prescribes an oral medication for the patient. What is the primary nursing assessment of the patient prior to receiving this medication?
The patient's understanding of the medication
The patient's ability to swallow
The patient's allergies
The eyesight
The Correct Answer is B
A. The patient's understanding of the medication:
While it's important for the patient to understand their medication, assessing their understanding is typically done through patient education and counseling. This assessment is vital for promoting adherence and safe medication practices but is not the primary consideration immediately before administration.
B. The patient's ability to swallow:
This is the correct answer. Assessing the patient's ability to swallow is crucial before administering oral medications to ensure that the patient can safely and effectively take the prescribed medication without the risk of aspiration or choking.
C. The patient's allergies:
Assessing the patient's allergies is an essential step in medication administration, but it is generally part of the overall medication safety process. It may not be the primary assessment immediately before administering an oral medication, but it is a crucial consideration.
D. The eyesight:
The patient's eyesight is not typically a primary assessment before administering oral medications. While visual impairments can affect a patient's ability to read medication labels or instructions, it is not the immediate concern when assessing readiness for oral medication administration.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["3"]
Explanation
To calculate the dosage of furosemide (Lasix), a diuretic medication, you need to divide the ordered amount by the tablet strength.
In this case, the ordered amount is 120 mg and the tablet strength is 40 mg.
Therefore, you need to divide 120 by 40, which gives you 3.
This means you would administer 3 tablets of furosemide (Lasix) to the patient.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Decreased ascites
Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity) is more directly related to portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis. While lactulose may contribute to fluid balance, its primary therapeutic effect in hepatic encephalopathy is the reduction of ammonia levels.
B. Decreased ammonia level
Lactulose is a medication commonly used in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, a condition associated with liver disease. The therapeutic effect of lactulose in this context is to reduce blood ammonia levels. Lactulose works by promoting the excretion of ammonia in the form of ammonium ions in the colon, thereby lowering ammonia concentrations in the blood.
C. Decreased jaundice
Jaundice is often associated with liver dysfunction, but lactulose is not primarily used to address jaundice. Its primary role in liver disease is in the management of hepatic encephalopathy.
D. Decreased blood pressure
Blood pressure is not a direct therapeutic target of lactulose in the context of liver disease. Lactulose's primary therapeutic effect is related to reducing ammonia levels and managing hepatic encephalopathy.
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