A client with emphysema is reporting difficulty in breathing and exhibiting audible wheezing. The nurse administers albuterol as prescribed for the third time within the last 12 hours. Which assessment finding warrants immediate intervention by the nurse?
Irregular rapid heart rate.
Uncontrollable shaking.
Increased anxiety.
Throat irritation.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Irregular rapid heart rate (tachycardia) is a serious side effect of albuterol and warrants immediate intervention. Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist that can cause stimulation of beta-1 receptors in the heart, leading to tachycardia and potential arrhythmias.
Choice B rationale
Uncontrollable shaking (tremors) is a common side effect of albuterol due to its stimulation of beta-2 receptors in skeletal muscles. While uncomfortable, it is not typically life-threatening.
Choice C rationale
Increased anxiety can occur with albuterol use due to its stimulant effects on the central nervous system. However, it is not as immediately dangerous as tachycardia.
Choice D rationale
Throat irritation is a minor side effect of albuterol and does not require immediate intervention.
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 C
Explanation
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.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
The severity of nausea and vomiting and serum amylase results are crucial in diagnosing and managing pancreatitis. Elevated serum amylase levels are a key indicator of pancreatitis, and the severity of nausea and vomiting can help assess the patient’s condition and response to treatment.
Choice B rationale
Reports of chronic constipation and serum gastrin levels are not directly related to the acute management of pancreatitis. Chronic constipation is more associated with gastrointestinal motility disorders, and serum gastrin levels are typically measured in conditions like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Choice C rationale
Serum Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) antibody results and urine output amounts are not directly relevant to the acute management of pancreatitis. H. pylori is associated with peptic ulcer disease, and urine output is more relevant in assessing renal function.
Choice D rationale
The presence of bowel sounds and the degree of abdominal pain are important but not as specific as serum amylase levels in diagnosing pancreatitis. Bowel sounds can be affected by various conditions, and abdominal pain is a common symptom in many gastrointestinal disorders.