A 36-year-old patient with rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate. What should the nurse include when teaching the patient about this medication?
Select all that apply.
1. Avoid alcohol.
2. Avoid exposure to sunlight.
3. Use effective contraception.
4. Expect the skin to turn orange.
5. Have routine eye examinations.
Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3
The nurse should instruct the patient to avoid alcohol and exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light and to practice effective contraception while taking methotrexate. Yellow-orange skin is associated with sulfasalazine (Azulfidine). Routine ophthalmologic examinations are needed for hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) because of the risk of developing retinopathy.
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Immediately after birth, the nurse is unable to suction the nares of a newborn. An attempt is made to pass a catheter through both nasal cavities with no success. What should the nurse do next?
a. Attempt to suction again with a bulb syringe. b. Wait a few minutes, and try again once the infant stops crying. c. Recognize that this situation requires immediate intervention. d. Contact the physician to schedule an appointment for the infant at his or her next hospital visit.
Which stage of general anesthesia begins with the initiation of an anesthetic agent and ends with loss of consciousness?
a. Stage I c. Stage III b. Stage II d. Stage IV
A patient's laser photocoagulation procedure was delayed 2 weeks until the patient's blood glucose was consistently below 300 mg/dL. The surgery was performed today, and the nurse is providing discharge instructions
Which instruction should be provided regarding new glasses? 1. "We made an appointment for you to be fitted with new glasses tomorrow.". 2. "As soon as your eye has healed, you should call for an appointment to be fitted for new glasses.". 3. "Once your blood glucose is below 200 mg/dL, you should get new glasses.". 4. "Wait until your blood glucose is at your optimal level for at least 6 to 9 weeks before you get new glasses.".
The patient states, "I don't want to take this new medication. I looked it up on the Internet and there are so many side effects." How can the nurse best assist this patient?
1. Advise the patient not to read about medications on the Internet because the information is too complex to understand without help. 2. Access the site and help the patient understand the information presented about the medication. 3. Give the patient a copy of the information about the medication provided in a nursing handbook of medications. 4. Empower the patient to talk with the physician about the decision.