A client began taking hydrochlorothiazide 1 week ago and is reporting occasional dizziness when standing up quickly from sitting or lying. What is the nurse's best action?
Arrange for the client's potassium levels to be assessed as soon as possible
Teach the client about the blood pressure effects of the medication and relevant safety measures.
Educate the client about the need for bed rest until the body adjusts to the new medication.
Tell the client to withhold the medication until the client can be assessed by the primary health care provider.
The Correct Answer is B
A. While assessing potassium levels is important for clients on diuretics, the immediate concern is the client's dizziness, which indicates a potential issue with blood pressure.
B. Teaching the client about the potential for orthostatic hypotension caused by hydrochlorothiazide and instructing them on safety measures (e.g., standing up slowly) is crucial to prevent falls and address the dizziness.
C. Bed rest is not necessary; the client should be educated about managing dizziness instead.
D. Withholding the medication is not warranted unless directed by a healthcare provider; the focus should be on safety education.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. While dietary intake is important, especially regarding sodium and fluid balance, it is not the highest priority compared to monitoring blood pressure.
B. Monitoring the client's blood pressure is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of the prescribed antihypertensive medications and to ensure the client is within the target range for managing her hypertension.
C. Weighing the client is important for monitoring fluid retention, especially with hydrochlorothiazide, but it is secondary to direct blood pressure monitoring.
D. Monitoring the respiratory rate is generally less critical in this scenario unless there are specific concerns related to medication side effects or respiratory conditions.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Giving the drug with food may delay absorption but does not affect the extent of the first-pass effect.
B. Administering the drug in small, frequent doses may help maintain therapeutic levels but will not significantly alter the first-pass effect.
C. Limiting protein intake could reduce drug binding to proteins, but this is not a standard approach for managing first-pass metabolism.
D. Administering the drug intravenously bypasses the gastrointestinal tract and liver, avoiding the first-pass effect, thereby increasing the amount of free drug available to body cells.