A diabetic patient who has reported burning foot pain at night receives a new prescription. Which information should the nurse teach the patient about amitriptyline (Elavil)?
a. Amitriptyline decreases the depression caused by your foot pain.
b. Amitriptyline helps prevent transmission of pain impulses to the brain.
c. Amitriptyline corrects some of the blood vessel changes that cause pain.
d. Amitriptyline improves sleep and makes you less aware of nighttime pain.
ANS: B
Tricyclic antidepressants decrease the transmission of pain impulses to the spinal cord and brain. Tricyclic antidepressants also improve sleep quality and are used for depression, but that is not the major purpose for their use in diabetic neuropathy. The blood vessel changes that contribute to neuropathy are not affected by tricyclic antidepressants.
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The nurse is taking a health history for a 15-month-old boy who is not yet speaking. Which of the following findings would be eliminated as a risk factor for this possible genetic disorder?
A) The child is male and Caucasian. B) The grandmother and father had hearing impairments. C) The child was a breech delivery 3 weeks early. D) The mother was 37 when she became pregnant.
Joanne is a 60-year-old patient with an LDL of 132 and a family history of coronary artery disease. She has already tried diet changes (increased fiber and plant sterols) to lower her LDL and after 6 months her LDL is slightly higher
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After an unimmunized individual is exposed to hepatitis B through a needle-stick injury, which actions will the nurse plan to take (select all that apply)?
a. Administer hepatitis B vaccine.
b. Test for antibodies to hepatitis B.
c. Teach about ?-interferon therapy.
d. Give hepatitis B immune globulin.
e. Teach about choices for oral antiviral therapy.
The nurse provides teaching for patient who will begin taking montelukast sodium (Singulair). The patient reports sensitivity to aspirin. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
a. "I will need to have periodic laboratory tests while taking this medication." b. "I will not take ibuprofen for pain or fever while taking this drug." c. "I will take one tablet daily at bedtime." d. "I will use this as needed for acute symptoms."