The nurse on an inpatient rheumatology unit receives a hand-off report on a client with an acute exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Which reported laboratory value requires the nurse to assess the client further?
a. Creatinine: 3.9 mg/dL
b. Platelet count: 210,000/mm3
c. Red blood cell count: 5.2/mm3
d. White blood cell count: 4400/mm3
ANS: A
Lupus nephritis is the leading cause of death in clients with SLE. The creatinine level is very high and the nurse needs to perform further assessments related to this finding. The other laboratory values are normal.
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A nurse administers medications to a client who has asthma. Which medication classification is paired correctly with its physiologic response to the medication?
a. Bronchodilator - Stabilizes the membranes of mast cells and prevents the release of inflammatory mediators b. Cholinergic antagonist - Causes bronchodilation by inhibiting the parasympathetic nervous system c. Corticosteroid - Relaxes bronchiolar smooth muscles by binding to and activating pulmonary beta2 receptors d. Cromone - Disrupts the production of pathways of inflammatory mediators
The nurse is caring for a patient with a malignant brain tumor. The patient asks the nurse why the tumor is being treated with radiation instead of chemotherapy. The nurse's explanation involves what important information?
A) "Medications have difficulty crossing the blood–brain barrier." B) "Neurons in the brain are easily damaged by chemotherapy." C) "Tumors arising from nervous tissue are not impacted by chemotherapy." D) "Chemotherapy reduces nerve transmission and cannot be used."
The nurse is examining the eyes of an elderly client using the ophthalmoscope. The vessels of the eyes are narrow and straight in appearance. The nurse would correctly choose which of the following actions?
1. Obtain an ophthalmology referral. 2. Inquire to determine if the client has any risk factors for glaucoma. 3. Inquire to determine if the client has a history of diabetes. 4. Document the findings as normal.
The client complains of numbness of the throat and tongue after taking benzonatate (Tessalon). What instruction should the nurse provide for the client?
1. Take one-half the prescribed dose. 2. Swallow the medication whole. 3. Stop taking benzonatate immediately, because this is a life-threatening emergency. 4. Take benzonatate with an antihistamine.