The nurse is evaluating the results of laboratory studies for a client receiving epoetin alfa. When should the nurse expect to note a therapeutic effect of this medication?
1. Immediately
2. After 3 days of therapy
3. After 2 weeks of therapy
4. After 1 week of therapy
Ans: 3. After 2 weeks of therapy
Explanation: Epoetin alfa stimulates erythropoiesis. It takes 2 to 6 weeks after initiation of therapy before a clinically significant increase in hematocrit is observed. Therefore, this medication is not intended for clients who require immediate correction of severe anemia, and it is not a substitute for emergency blood transfusions.
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The nurse is caring for a client experiencing a respiratory pattern characterized by irregular periods of increased rate and depth of respiration. The nurse notes this in the client's record as:
a. Biot's respirations c. Kussmaul's respira-tions b. Cheyne-Stokes res-pirations d. tachypnea
A client states to the nurse in a hostile voice, "I am sick of being poked at and stuck with needles. Go away and leave me alone." Which of the following is the best statement by the nurse?
a. "I am not surprised that you wish to be left alone." b. "I'm so sorry you are feeling so upset." c. "You feel vulnerable and depressed as a result of all these treatments." d. "Okay, I will go away."
The student is researching a clinical problem using the Cochrane database and only finds random, controlled studies. When asked why this is so, what answer by the faculty is best?
a. "Cochrane uses other types of studies, too." b. "Random controlled studies are the gold standard." c. "Their interests are only in research studies." d. "They are paid only to use those kind of studies."
The nurse is caring for a school-age patient diagnosed with OCD. What medication should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?
1. Clomipramine (Anafranil) 2. Sertraline (Zoloft) 3. Methylphenidate (Ritalin) 4. Olanzapine (Zyprexa)