A 77-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department by her family after she has had diarrhea for 3 days. The family tells the nurse that she has not been eating or drinking well, but that she has been taking her diuretics for congestive heart failure (CHF). Her laboratory results include a potassium level of 7.0 mEq/L. What is the primary goal of drug therapy for this client?
A. Decreasing cardiac contractility and slowing the heart rate
B. Elevating serum potassium levels to a safe range
C. Maintaining proper diuresis and urine output
D. Restoring fluid balance by controlling the causes of dehydration
Answer: D. Restoring fluid balance by controlling the causes of dehydration
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Nonselective adrenergic blocking agents have a variety of therapeutic uses. Which agent is used for the treatment of heart failure?
A) Carvedilol (Coreg) B) Sotalol (Betapace) C) Propranolol (Inderal) D) Tamsulosin (Flomax)
A patient is unable to obtain a sputum specimen by coughing and expectorating. What is the best way for the nurse to collect this specimen?
a. Ask the patient to spit b. Direct the patient to turn, cough, and breathe deeply c. Perform tracheal suctioning d. Perform a bronchoscopy
A client receives a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, current episode depressed. A physician prescribes paroxetine (Paxil) for the client. The client is encouraged to participate in unit activities and to talk about her feelings
Despite all efforts, the client's depression becomes profound. The client is in total despair and is in a vegetative state. The physician obtains consent to perform electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). What is the rationale behind this treatment for profound depression? A) The client is made to forget painful memories from the past and to go on with her life. B) The treatment causes stimulation of the central nervous system (CNS) similar to CNS stimulant medication, thereby lifting mood. C) The treatment satisfies the need for punishment that severely depressed clients sometimes think they deserve. D) The treatment is thought to increase levels of norepinephrine and serotonin, resulting in mood elevation.
What is the survival rate after CPR for all patients in a hospital?
a. 2% b. 5% c. 10% to 15% d. 25%