The parents of a young child with heart failure tell the nurse that they are "nervous" about giving digoxin (Lanoxin). The nurse's response should be based on which statement?
a. It is a safe, frequently used drug.
b. It is difficult to either overmedicate or undermedicate with digoxin.
c. Parents lack the expertise necessary to administer digoxin.
d. Parents must learn specific, important guidelines for administration of digoxin.
ANS: D
Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range. The margin of safety between therapeutic, toxic, and lethal doses is very small. Specific guidelines are available for parents to learn how to administer the drug safely and to monitor for side effects. Digoxin is a frequently used drug, but it has a narrow therapeutic range. Small amounts of the liquid are given to infants, making it easy to overmedicate or undermedicate. Parents may lack the necessary expertise to administer the drug at first, but with discharge preparation, they should be prepared to administer the drug safely.
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The nurse assesses a newborn's Apgar score at birth and documents that it is normal. Which score did the nurse most likely record?
A) 1 B) 4 C) 8 D) 13
According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, children from ages 2 to 7 are in the preoperational major level of cognitive development. The nurse is collecting data from parents of a 4-year-old child
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A student nurse asks a nurse how atropine (Atropair) increases heart rate. What is the nurse's best response?
A. Blocking the beta receptors of the parasympathetic nervous system B. Directly stimulating the sympathetic nervous system C. Potentiating the effects of acetylcholine on nicotinic receptors D. Blocking the effects of acetylcholine by occupying muscarinic receptors
Nursing leaders in a large, urban emergency department are aware that many nurses are skeptical of a proposed evidence-based change in the management of patients with mental health problems
How should the nursing leaders best address this skepticism? A) Bring in evidence-based practice mentors from an emergency department that has successfully implemented a similar change B) Distribute copies of a meta-analysis that encompasses the relevant research and elicit feedback C) Present the evidence that underlies the proposed change at an open forum D) Create a venue for the nurses to express and discuss their skepticism directly