FUROSEMIDE
A nurse is administering furosemide to a patient with heart failure. Which laboratory value is most important for the nurse to monitor?
Potassium
A patient receiving digoxin has an apical pulse of 54 beats per minute. What is the nurse’s priority action?
Hold medication and notify provider
The nurse is teaching a patient prescribed alprazolam. Which statement indicates correct understanding?
“I will avoid alcohol while taking this medication.”
A patient receiving hydrocodone has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min. What is the nurse’s priority action?
Hold medication and notify provider
Which instruction should the nurse give a patient prescribed metformin?
Take with meals
A patient taking furosemide reports muscle cramps and weakness. Which complication does the nurse suspect?
Hypokalemia
Which findings indicate possible digoxin toxicity?
Nausea
Yellow vision
Heart rate 52 bpm
Vomiting
A patient prescribed alprazolam is very drowsy. What is the nurse’s priority concern?
Respiratory depression
Which teaching points should the nurse include for a patient taking hydrocodone?
Increase fiber intake
Avoid alcohol
Avoid driving until response is known
A patient taking metformin asks why lab work is needed regularly. What is the nurse’s best response?
“To monitor kidney function.”
Which nursing actions are appropriate when administering furosemide?
Monitor potassium levels
Administer in the morning
Assess daily weight
Monitor blood pressure
A patient taking digoxin reports seeing halos around lights. What does the nurse suspect?
Digoxin toxicity
A patient taking alprazolam asks how quickly it will work. What is the nurse’s best response?
“It may work within 30–60 minutes.”
Benzodiazepines have rapid onset.
A patient prescribed hydrocodone reports no bowel movement for 4 days. What is the nurse’s best action?
Encourage fiber and fluids
A patient taking glipizide reports feeling shaky and sweaty. What is the nurse’s best initial action?
Check blood glucose
A patient taking furosemide daily reports dizziness when standing. What does the nurse suspect?
Orthostatic hypotension
A patient on digoxin suddenly develops confusion and irregular pulse. What does the nurse suspect?
Digoxin toxicity
A patient prescribed alprazolam reports stopping the drug suddenly. What symptom does the nurse anticipate?
Withdrawal symptoms
A nurse administers hydrocodone with alprazolam. What is the priority risk?
Respiratory depression
Which complication is the patient at highest risk for while taking glipizide?
Hypoglycemia
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which outcome best indicates the medication is effective?
Decreased edema
Which outcome best indicates digoxin is effective?
Heart rate controlled within normal range
Which patient statements indicate understanding of alprazolam teaching?
“I will not drink alcohol.”
“I will avoid driving until I know how it affects me.”
“I will keep this medication secure.”
Which findings indicate opioid overdose?
Respiratory rate 6/min
Pinpoint pupils
Unresponsiveness
A patient scheduled for CT scan with contrast is taking metformin. What should the nurse do?
Hold metformin as prescribed