PHARM PRACTICE-STUDY GUIDE
I1) A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the client's serum calcium level is 13 mg/dL.
... [Show More] Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer as prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride2. Calcium gluconate3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)4. Large doses of vitamin D3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride are medications used for the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a result of acute hypocalcemia. In hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need to be avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone resorption and lowering the serum calcium concentration. 2.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child with iron deficiency anemia. The nurse instructs the mother to administer the iron with which best food item?
1. Milk
2. Water3. Apple juice4. Orange juice4. Orange juiceRationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mother should be instructed to administer the medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in vitamin C. Milk
may affect absorption of the iron. Water will not assist in absorption. Orange juice contains a greater amount of vitamin C than apple juice. 3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nurse monitors the client, k
nowing that which of the following would indicate the presence of systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus2. Diarrhea3. Constipation4. Decreased respirations1. TinnitusRationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the sk
in, and systemic toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not associated with salicylism. 4.) The camp nurse ask
s the children preparing to swim in the lak
e if they have applied sunscreen. The nurse reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are most effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun3. Immediately before exposure to the sun4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sunRationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun so that they can penetrate the sk
in. All sunscreens should be reapplied after swimming or sweating. 5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client with a burn injury. When applying the medication, the client complains of local discomfort and burning. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse2. Discontinuing the medication3. Informing the client that this is normal4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site3.
Informing the client that this is normalRationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-positive
organisms and is used to treat burns to reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues. The client should be informed that the medication will cause local discomfort and burning and that this is a normal reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect 6.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site of injury. The nurse monitors the client, k
nowing that which of the following indicates that a systemic effect has occurred?
1.Hyperventilation 2.Elevated blood pressure3.Local pain at the burn site4.Local rash at the burn site1.HyperventilationRationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal excretion of acid, thereby causing acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment should be monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance (hyperventilation). If this occurs, the medication should be discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4 describe local rather than systemic effects. An elevated blood pressure may be expected from the pain that occurs with a burn injury. 7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne. Before the administration of this medication, the nurse anticipates that which laboratory test will be prescribed?
1. Platelet count2. Triglyceride level3. Complete blood count4. White blood cell count2. Triglyceride level Rationale:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride levels should be measured before treatment and periodically thereafter until the effect on the triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3, and 4 do not need to be monitored specifically during this treatment. 8.) A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider (HCP) prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the client's medication record and would contact the (HCP) if the client is tak
ing which medication?
1. Vitamin b
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)3. Furosemide (Lasix)4. Phenytoin (Dilantin)1. Vitamin ARationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized intensification of isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the potential for increased toxicity, vitamin A supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not contraindicated with the use of isotretinoin. 9.) The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a client with eczema. The nurse would monitor for the potential for increased systemic absorption of the medication if the medication were being applied to which of the following body areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla3. Soles of the feet4. Palms of the hands2. AxillaRationale:
Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the systemic circulation. Absorption is higher from regions where the sk
in is especially permeable (scalp, axilla, face, eyelids, neck
, perineum, genitalia), and lower from regions in which permeability is poor (back
, palms, soles). 10.) The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. The nurse notes that the client is tak
ing azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of the medication prescription, the nurse would suspect that the client is being treated for:
1. Acne2. Eczema3. Hair loss4. Herpes simplex1. AcneRationale:
Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate acne. The acid appears to work
by suppressing the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and decreasing the proliferation of k
eratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect. 11.) The health care provider has prescribed silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) for the client with a partial-thick
ness burn, which has cultured positive for gram-negative bacteria. The nurse is reinforcing information to the client about the medication. Which statement made by the client indicates a lack
of understanding about the treatments?
1. "The medication is an antibacterial."2. "The medication will help heal the burn."3. "The medication will permanently stain my sk
in."4. "The medication should be applied directly to the wound."3. "The medication will permanently stain my sk
in."Rationale:
Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) is an antibacterial that has a broad spectrum of activity against gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and yeast. It is applied directly to [Show Less]