Medication general questions 1
This class of blood pressure medications can cause hyperkalemia and is often held if a patient’s potassium level is elevated.
ACE inhibitors or ARBs
A patient receiving unfractionated heparin develops a paradoxical drop in platelets with increased clotting risk.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
A hospitalized patient on broad-spectrum antibiotics develops frequent watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and a low-grade fever. This complication should be suspected first.
Clostridium difficile infection (C. difficile)
A patient newly started on haloperidol develops a stiff neck, tremors, and drooling. This adverse effect is most likely.
extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
A patient taking chlorpromazine develops sudden high fever, muscle rigidity, and altered mental status. This emergency requires immediate intervention.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
A patient receiving opioids reports increasing sleepiness and slowed breathing. This medication may be required to counteract these effects.
Naloxone
Patients taking warfarin are taught to maintain a consistent intake of this nutrient rather than avoiding it completely.
vitamin K
A patient taking metformin should have this organ function monitored regularly because impairment increases risk of serious complications.
Kidney (renal) function
A patient taking lithium for bipolar disorder complains of nausea, diarrhea, and confusion. This laboratory value should be checked immediately.
A serum lithium level
Patients on tricyclic antidepressants should be monitored closely for this cardiovascular adverse effect, especially in overdose.
Cardiac arrhythmia (or QT prolongation)
This assessment should be performed before administering digoxin to determine whether the medication should be held.
Count the apical pulse
When giving subcutaneous insulin, rotating injection sites helps prevent this complication that interferes with absorption.
Lipodystrophy
A patient receiving IV potassium reports burning at the site. Which actions by the nurse are most appropriate in this instance?
Slowing the infusion and assessing the IV site
A patient on clozapine develops a fever, sore throat, and malaise. This rare but serious adverse effect must be assessed.
Severe neutropenia (or agranulocytosis)
A patient taking long-term antipsychotics reports involuntary movements of the lips, tongue, and fingers. This condition is most likely.
Tardive dyskinesia
A patient taking statins is advised to report unexplained muscle pain because it may indicate this serious adverse effect.
Rhabdomyolysis (or muscle injury)
Before administering a beta-blocker, the nurse should assess which important vital signs?
This over-the-counter medication for pain and fever is preferred over NSAIDs for patients with gastric ulcers.
Acetaminophen
A patient on SSRIs reports nausea, restlessness, sweating, and tremor after starting a new herbal supplement. This potentially life-threatening syndrome should be suspected.
Serotonin syndrome - a potentially life-threatening drug reaction caused by excessive serotonin accumulation in the body, usually from combining serotonergic medications, such as antidepressants. It causes symptoms ranging from mild (tremors, diarrhea) to severe (high fever, seizures, muscle rigidity) and requires prompt medical attention.
A patient prescribed valproate for mood stabilization reports fatigue, abdominal discomfort, and jaundice. Which laboratory values should be monitored regularly in this patient?
Liver function tests (LFTs)
A patient taking antibiotics develops a white coating on the tongue and mouth soreness due to disruption of normal flora. What is this condition?
Oral candidiasis (thrush)
When teaching about nitroglycerin tablets, patients are instructed to sit down before taking them because they can cause this effect.
Hypotension
Before administering a beta-blocker for heart rate control, this assessment finding would most strongly indicate the medication should be withheld.
When administering benzodiazepines for acute agitation, this vital sign must be assessed first because of potential side effects of this medication.
Respiratory rate (benzodiazepines can cause respiratory depression)
When teaching a patient about clonidine for anxiety or agitation, it’s important to warn them that this medication can lower blood pressure. What is this patient at risk for?
Orthostatic hypotension and/or falls