A client who is newly diagnosed with erosive esophagitis secondary to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) reports to the nurse that they did not notice any reduction in symptoms after taking lansoprazole PO for one full week. Which action should the nurse take?
Notify the healthcare provider that the client may need a change in dosage.
Auscultate the client’s bowel sounds and measure the abdominal girth.
Advise the client that healing typically takes several weeks to occur.
Confirm that the client is taking the medication one hour after meals.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Lansoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), typically requires several weeks to achieve its full therapeutic effect. Notifying the healthcare provider for a dosage change after only one week is premature and not supported by clinical guidelines.
Choice B rationale
Auscultating bowel sounds and measuring abdominal girth are not directly related to the effectiveness of lansoprazole in treating GERD. These actions are more relevant for assessing gastrointestinal motility and potential complications like bowel obstruction.
Choice C rationale
Healing of erosive esophagitis with PPIs like lansoprazole usually takes several weeks. Advising the client that healing typically takes several weeks to occur is appropriate and aligns with the expected therapeutic timeline.
Choice D rationale
Lansoprazole should be taken before meals, not after, to maximize its effectiveness. Confirming that the client is taking the medication one hour after meals would not address the issue of symptom persistence.
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 A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Lactulose is a synthetic sugar used to treat hepatic encephalopathy by reducing the absorption of ammonia in the intestines. Ammonia is a neurotoxin that can impair mental status in patients with liver dysfunction. By decreasing ammonia levels, lactulose helps improve cognitive function and mental status in patients with hepatic encephalopathy.
Choice B rationale
While lactulose can cause diarrhea as a side effect, the therapeutic goal in hepatic encephalopathy is not to reduce the number of liquid stools but to lower ammonia levels in the blood. The reduction in ammonia levels leads to improved mental status, not necessarily a reduction in liquid stools.
Choice C rationale
The ability to ambulate independently is not a direct therapeutic response to lactulose. The primary goal of lactulose therapy in hepatic encephalopathy is to improve mental status by reducing ammonia levels, not to enhance physical mobility.
Choice D rationale
Lactulose does not have a direct effect on urine output. Its primary mechanism of action is to reduce ammonia absorption in the intestines, thereby improving mental status in patients with hepatic encephalopathy.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Isoniazid is an antitubercular drug used to treat active tuberculosis. The effectiveness of this medication is evaluated by observing a decrease in symptoms such as cough and sputum production. This indicates that the infection is being controlled and the bacteria are being eradicated.
Choice B rationale
A positive sputum smear and culture would indicate the presence of active tuberculosis bacteria, suggesting that the treatment is not effective. Therefore, this is not an expected outcome of effective treatment.
Choice C rationale
Decreased appetite and weight loss are not indicators of the effectiveness of tuberculosis treatment. In fact, these symptoms could indicate a worsening of the condition or side effects of the medication.
Choice D rationale
Vertigo and tinnitus are not related to the effectiveness of tuberculosis treatment. These symptoms could be side effects of the medication but do not indicate the success of the treatment.