Equally important
A client was newly started fluoxetine (SSRI). The client asks the nurse what they need to know about this medication. What information does the nurse provide?
What is: it can takes several weeks to work, best to take in the morning, do not stop it suddenly as it may cause discontinuation syndrome, notify nurse if any feeling of harming self, do not take St John's Wort (which could lead to serotonin syndrome), avoid driving until know how effects, may cause fetal harm
A client asks the nurse what constitutes constipation and how they can prevent it. The nurse includes what information in their patient-teaching?
What is constipation can look like 2 bowel movements in a week with abdominal cramping; ways to prevent it can include drinking at least 6-10 glasses of fluids/day, increase dietary fiber (beans, legumes, berries), and increase exercise to promote bowel motility?
A client was nervous about starting a SSRI because they had a history of serotonin syndrome. When the nurse asked what symptoms the client experienced, the client replied...
What are agitation, diarrhea, tachycardia, elevated blood pressure, elevated temperature, and hallucinations?
The nurse is preparing to administer the client's omeprazole with the morning medications. As the nurse enters the room, they note the client is eating breakfast. Ideally, is it best to administer this medication with food or on an empty stomach?
What is on an empty stomach? This is a PPI.
A client was started on amitriptyline for feelings of depression that had been on-going for a couple of months. The nurse reinforced the teaching that the best time to take this medication is at bedtime because of the potential side effects of?
What is sedation (can be used to treat insomnia) and orthostatic hypotension?
A client is on the way to the ED per ambulance. The report is given that the client is having an episode of status epilepticus. The nurse knows that they need to find out from the family member if the client has been taking their prescribed medication (which is?)
What is phenytoin (anti-seizure)?
A client starts to stand up to head to the bathroom, as they have been having diarrhea. With the position change, the client feels light-headed and dizzy. They sit back down and put on their call light. What medication does the nurse suspect caused this side effect?
What is loperamide?
A client on the med/surg floor has a history of seizures. There are standing orders for a medication to give if the client has a seizure. The PN walks into the client's room and finds the client having a seizure. The PN recognizes that they need to notify the RN that an IV dose of______ is needed (which is?)
What is lorazepam (Benzodiazepine)?
A client puts on their call light and asks the nurse for a calcium carbonate antacid for their heartburn symptoms. The client is notified that they are due for their famotidine shortly. What does the nurse need to consider when deciding which medication to administer?
What is that calcium carbonate neutralizes gastric activity which elevates the pH of the stomach; because of that, it should not be given within 1-2 hours of other medications?
The nurse instructs the client taking this SNRI to monitor for nausea, dizziness, and blood pressure changes, emphasizing the need for gradual discontinuation to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
What is venlafaxine?
A client with a history of schizophrenia reports they have been on haloperidol for the last three years. The client reports that the medicine has helped them to think more clearly and feel less nervous, but they are concerned about possible side effects. The nurse recognizes that the client requires reinforcement of patient teaching which includes...
What are tardive dyskinesia, cardiac arrythmias, seizures, dry eyes, blurred vision, constipation, dry mouth, neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
A client asks the nurse "What is the best way to take psyllium and what will it help with"? What would the nurse include in their explanation?
What is psyllium is a bulk forming laxative that can be helpful for both constipation and diarrhea; the best way to take it to mix it in 8 ounces of fluid and drink right away?
A nurse goes to a conference on mental health. As part of that conference, a speaker spoke about the medication methylphenidate. The nurse learned that there are a couple of assessments they need to keep a closer eye on for their clients that take this medication that include...
What is elevated blood pressure for all ages (hold if too elevated) and the height and weight of children who have been on the medication for an extended period?
A client called the office with reports of an upset stomach and diarrhea that they have been taking a medication for. The client reports that after starting the medication, their stool and tongue have both been blackened. The nurse recognizes that the medication the client has been taking is _______ and the client ____ (can or cannot) continue taking. What would be a definite reason not to take this drug?
What is bismuth subsalicylate and the client CAN continue taking?
What is an aspirin allergy?
The nurse educating a client on this medication emphasizes the importance of monitoring blood pressure, avoiding tyramine-rich foods, abstaining from alcohol, recognizing signs of serotonin syndrome, and adhering to a 14-day weaning schedule.
What is tranylcypromine?
A client with Parkinson's disease is started on Carbidopa/Levodopa. The client follows up with the HCP a month later and reports that tremors have lessened with the medication. The client also tells the nurse that they are embarrassed to say they don't understand how this medication works. How does the nurse the nurse describe the mechanism of action of the medication?
What is that Levodopa component restores the dopamine and the Carbidopa decreases the breakdown of the Levodopa?
A client was given metoclopramide for their nausea and vomiting. What side/adverse effects does the nurse know to monitor for?
What are tardive dyskinesia - involuntary facial movements, restlessness, drowsiness?
A client was admitted to the hospital for alcohol withdrawal. The client's blood alcohol was 0.28 upon admission. The nurse knew they had to closely monitor the client and document the withdrawal symptoms the client has. Because the client's symptoms were worsening, the nurse gave an ordered dose lorazepam. The nurse knew to monitor for what possible side effects?
What is lethargy, bradycardia, hypotension, respiratory depression, cardiac arrest?
A client is newly prescribed famotidine and has many questions regarding the medication. One of those questions is if this medication will help their constipation. What information does the nurse include in their patient-teaching?
What is this medication is not for constipation, it will help heartburn and GERD as it causes inhibition of gastric acid secretion and blocks histamine's action; it should be taken with meals or immediately afterward and at bedtime to prolong effect; smoking could interfere with it and kidney disease can have an effect on lengthening half life?
A client was recently diagnosed with epilepsy and prescribed phenytoin. The nurse asks the client to teach back the information about this medication. The client reports that...
What is brush and floss my teeth everyday, take the medication with food, avoid alcohol, call if chest pain, dizziness, or tiredness, do not stop abruptly (may cause status epilepticus), do not drive until know how it effects you, and will require blood tests to monitor therapeutic levels?
A client with bipolar disorder comes in for a medication follow-up. The client was prescribed lithium during the last appointment. The client reports to the nurse that they are not sure that they want to stay on this medication. The nurse knows that many clients prescribed lithium aren't always medication compliant because they....
What is don't see the benefit of the medication during a manic episode and lithium prevents/decreases incidence of acute manic episodes (the clients like the energy they feel during a manic episode)?
A client reports that they have both hyoscyamine and polyethylene glycol 3350 at home but are not sure what they are for, when they should take them and when they should stop taking them. What information does the nurse include in the patient-teaching?
What is that hyoscyamine is for diarrhea as it is an anticholinergic medication (that dries things up) that should be stopped when having formed stools; polyethylene glycol 3350 is an osmotic laxative that pulls in water to soften the stool with being a stimulant that is for constipation and should be stopped if start to have diarrhea?
A client with a history of depression has been taking tranylcypromine for a few years. The client reports to the nurse that they feel the medication has been effective in treating their depression, but their blood pressure has been running high - 180's/90's. The nurse suspects the HCP will change the client's medication because of the elevated blood pressure. The HCP changes the medication to a SNRI. The nurse knows they will have to reinforce the education the client received about how to switch medications, which includes?
What is wean off the MAOI for approximately 14 days before being able to switch to the SNRI because of risk of serotonin syndrome?
A 13 month-old child has prochlorperazine, omeprazole, and ondansetron on their medication list. The parent of the child asks the nurse what are some of the side effects to watch for and if they are all safe to give the child. What response would the nurse give?
What is prochlorperazine is NOT safe for children < 2 years old; omeprazole and ondansetron both can cause constipation, diarrhea, and Steven Johnson's syndrome?
The nurse instructs the client to take this medication on an empty stomach, one hour before meals, to coat and protect the stomach lining, and also educates them on this other medication, often used concurrently, to prevent nausea, emphasizing the importance of monitoring for potential constipation with both medications, and headaches with the second.
What are sucralfate and ondansetron?