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.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Storing the medication at room temperature is appropriate for ipratropium inhalers. This ensures the medication remains effective and safe for use.
Choice B rationale
Attaching a spacer device to the inhaler is recommended for patients using ipratropium inhalers. A spacer helps deliver the medication more effectively to the lungs and reduces the risk of side effects.
Choice C rationale
Rinsing the mouth after each use of the inhaler is a good practice to prevent oral thrush and other side effects. It is a recommended step in the proper use of inhalers.
Choice D rationale
Priming the inhaler with 7 pumps is excessive. Typically, inhalers need to be primed with 2-4 pumps before first use or if they haven’t been used for a while. Over-priming can waste medication and indicate a need for additional teaching.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Palpating large joints for nodules is not the most effective technique for assessing early signs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nodules typically appear in more advanced stages of RA and are not an early sign.
Choice B rationale
Observing the skin for lesions is not specific to RA. While skin lesions can be associated with other conditions, they are not a primary indicator of early RA1.
Choice C rationale
Observing the client’s fingers is crucial for detecting early signs of RA. Early RA often presents with swelling, tenderness, and stiffness in the small joints of the fingers.
Choice D rationale
Palpating the lymph nodes is not relevant for early RA assessment. Lymph node enlargement is not a typical early sign of RA1.