A nurse preparing to administer morning medications notes that a patient with a history of hypertension has been prescribed spironolactone [Aldactone]
The nurse assesses the patient and notes dyspnea, bilateral crackles, and pitting edema in both feet. Which intervention is appropri-ate? a. Administer the medications as ordered.
b. Ask the patient about the use of salt subs-titutes.
c. Contact the provider to request an order for serum electrolytes.
d. Request an order for furosemide [Lasix].
D
Spironolactone takes up to 48 hours for its effects to develop, so it should not be used when the patient needs immediate diuresis. This patient has shortness of breath, crackles, and edema and needs a short-acting diuretic, such as furosemide. Asking the patient about the use of salt substi-tutes is not indicated. The patient does not need assessment of serum electrolytes.
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An 80-year-old woman is visiting the clinic for a checkup. She states, "I can't walk as much as I used to." The nurse is observing for motor dysfunction in her hip and should ask her to:
a. Internally rotate her hip while she is sitting. b. Abduct her hip while she is lying on her back. c. Adduct her hip while she is lying on her back. d. Externally rotate her hip while she is standing.
A 69-year-old patient reports a burning, aching pain in the legs when walking to the mailbox. These symptoms are relieved with rest. What should the nurse suspect?
a. Venous insufficiency b. Claudication c. Phlebitis d. Rest pain
Which of the following is an example of the process of mechanical digestion?
a. deglutition c. mastication b. ingestion d. peristalsis
A patient taking tamsulosin (Flomax) asks the nurse how the drug works. What is the nurse's best response?
a. "This drug works on your prostate gland to decrease its size." b. "This drug signals the cells in your prostate gland not to grow." c. "This drug works by relaxing the detrusor muscle of your bladder." d. "This drug relaxes muscle around your urethra to improve urine flow."