What is the most important action for the nurse to perform before administering a patient's daily dose of digoxin (Lanoxin)?
a. Check the patient's apical pulse for a full 60 seconds.
b. Assess the patient's dependent body areas for edema formation.
c. Ask whether the patient has experienced any heart palpitations during the last 24 hours.
d. Verify that the time of administration today is within one-half hour of the time the drug was administered yesterday.
A
Although all the actions are important, the most important is to ensure that the pulse rate is be-tween 60 and 100 beats per minute and is regular before administering digoxin or any other car-diac glycoside. For an irregular heart rate or one that is outside of this range, the dose must be held and the prescriber notified immediately.
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The nurse is preparing to obtain a right atrial pressure (RAP/CVP) reading. What are the most appropriate nursing actions? (Select all that apply.)
a. Compare measured pressures with other physiological parameters. b. Flush the central venous catheter with 20 mL of sterile saline. c. Inflate the balloon with 3 mL of air and record the pressure tracing. d. Obtain the right atrial pressure measurement during end exhalation. e. Zero reference the transducer system at the level of the phlebostatic axis.
It is not unusual to find enlarged postauricular and occipital nodes in:
a. children younger than 2 years. b. school-age children. c. adolescents. d. adults.
The physician writes an order for a loading dose of theophylline (Lanophyllin) 5 mg/kg. The client weighs 65 kg. The medication is supplied 150 mg/15 mL. How many mL would you administer?
1. 1.3 mL 2. 32.5 mL 3. 3250 mL 4. 21.7 mL
Which regulates and coordinates body movements?
a. The cerebral cortex b. The cerebrum c. The cerebellum d. The brainstem