The nurse is preparing to administer a drug that is eliminated through the kidneys. The nurse reviews the patient's chart and notes that the patient has increased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The nurse will perform which action?
a. Administer the drug as ordered.
b. Anticipate a shorter than usual half-life of the drug.
c. Expect decreased drug effects when the drug is given.
d. Notify the provider and discuss giving a lower dose.
ANS: D
Increased creatinine and BUN indicate decreased renal function so a drug that is eliminated through the kidneys can become toxic. The nurse should discuss a lower dose with the provider. The drug will have a longer half-life and will exhibit increased effects with decreased renal function.
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The nurse recommends to the family of a child with severe cerebral palsy that they enroll their child in hippotherapy. The nurse would explain that hippotherapy includes:
1. Water exercises to increase muscular strength. 2. Use of braces and walkers to support walking. 3. Dietary therapy to maintain a normal weight. 4. Horseback riding, or hippotherapy, improves posture and balance and allows the child to participate in a physical activity.
The nurse is providing care to a pregnant woman in preterm labor. The patient is 32 weeks pregnant. Initially, the patient states, "I've gained 30 pounds. That should be enough for the baby. Everything will be okay if I deliver now
" After teaching the patient about fetal development, the nurse will know her teaching is effective if the patient makes which of the following statements? a. "The baby's lungs are well developed now, but he will be at increased risk for SIDS if I deliver early." b. "We should try to stop this labor now because the baby will be born with sleep apnea if I deliver this early." c. "If I deliver this early my baby is at risk for respiratory distress syndrome, a condition that can be life threatening." d. "Thanks for reassuring me; I was pretty sure there isn't much risk to the baby this far along in my pregnancy."
When preparing a program for college women on human papillomavirus (HPV), which concept should the nurse keep in mind?
A) The time from HPV infection to diagnosis of cervical cancer is 5 years. B) HPV prevalence peaks in women following menopause. C) HPV incidence has been steadily increasing in women in their 30s and 40s. D) HPV is most common in women in their early 20s
A preterm newborn of 36 weeks of gestation is admitted to the NICU. Approximately 2 hours after birth, the newborn begins having difficulty breathing, with grunting, tachypnea, and nasal flaring. Which is important for the nurse to recognize?
a. This is a normal finding. b. This is not significant unless cyanosis is present. c. Improvement should occur within 24 hours. d. Further evaluation is needed.