The practical nurse (PN) is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of benztropine to a client with Parkinson’s disease.

The client reports having a very dry mouth. Which action should the PN take?

Answer and explanation
The correct answer is B. If chest pain is not relieved after taking one nitroglycerin tablet three
times at 5-minute intervals, call the emergency medical service (EMS).
Choice A rationale
While flushing, dizziness, and general body warmth can occur with each sublingual tablet
taken, these are side effects of the medication and not the primary intended effect. The main
purpose of nitroglycerin is to relieve chest pain associated with angina.
Choice B rationale
This is the most important instruction. Nitroglycerin is used to treat episodes of angina. If
chest pain is not relieved after taking one nitroglycerin tablet three times at 5-minute
intervals, it could indicate a more serious condition, such as a heart attack. In this case,
immediate medical attention is necessary.
Choice C rationale
A pounding headache is a common side effect of both the nitroglycerin patch and the
sublingual tablets. However, the presence of a headache does not indicate whether the
medication is effectively treating angina.
Choice D rationale
While it’s true that nitroglycerin patches are used for long-term prevention and sublingual
tablets are used for acute attacks, this is general information about the medication and not the
most important instruction for a patient who has been prescribed nitroglycerin.

Choice A rationale
Heart rate is an important vital sign to monitor in patients, but it is not the primary outcome
data to prioritize when administering a 20% mannitol intravenous (IV) solution. Mannitol is a diuretic that works by increasing the amount of urine produced. Therefore, while heart rate can be affected by fluid balance changes, it is not the most directly relevant outcome to monitor in this context.
Choice B rationale
Ankle circumference could be an indicator of peripheral edema, which might suggest fluid
overload or poor kidney function. However, in the context of mannitol administration, which is a diuretic and would be expected to decrease fluid overload, ankle circumference is not the primary outcome to monitor.
Choice C rationale
Urinary output is the correct answer. Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that increases urine
production. It is used to reduce intracranial and intraocular pressure by drawing water out of tissues and into the bloodstream, from where it can be excreted by the kidneys. Therefore, urinary output is the most direct measure of its effectiveness and is the key outcome that should be monitored.
Choice D rationale
Dietary intake is always important to monitor in patients, especially those receiving IV
therapy, as it can impact electrolyte balance and overall health status. However, it is not the primary outcome to monitor when administering mannitol.