A patient receiving heparin therapy develops bruising and bleeding gums. What should the nurse suspect and what is the appropriate action?
Suspect an allergic reaction and administer antihistamines.
Suspect a bleeding complication and notify the healthcare provider.
Suspect a hypersensitivity reaction and discontinue the heparin immediately.
Suspect an infection and initiate antibiotic therapy.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Bruising and bleeding gums are not indicative of an allergic reaction, which would typically present with different symptoms such as rash, itching, or swelling. Administering antihistamines would not address the underlying issue.
B. The development of bruising and bleeding gums in a patient on heparin therapy suggests a bleeding complication, which is a known risk of anticoagulation therapy. The nurse should notify the healthcare provider to assess the situation and possibly adjust treatment or perform further evaluations.
C. While hypersensitivity reactions can occur with medications, the symptoms presented here are more aligned with bleeding complications than with hypersensitivity. Discontinuing heparin without consulting the provider could put the patient at risk for thromboembolic events.
D. The symptoms do not indicate an infection; therefore, initiating antibiotic therapy would not be appropriate in this context.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Short-acting insulin does not cover basal needs; that is the role of long-acting insulin.
B. Intermediate-acting insulin does not primarily cover mealtime glucose spikes; it provides a more prolonged effect.
C. Short-acting insulin is used to manage blood glucose during meals, while intermediate-acting insulin helps maintain glucose control between meals and overnight, making this the correct choice.
D. Short-acting and intermediate-acting insulins have different onset and peak times; they do not share the same pharmacokinetic properties.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Hypertension can affect drug distribution to some extent due to altered perfusion but is not the most significant factor impacting distribution, especially for a local condition like cellulitis.
B. Liver dysfunction primarily affects the metabolism and clearance of drugs rather than their distribution, although it may indirectly influence distribution by altering protein binding.
C. Peripheral vascular disease significantly impacts blood flow to the extremities, which can hinder the distribution of the antibiotic to the affected area (the left leg) where the cellulitis is present, leading to reduced drug efficacy.
D. Diverticulitis disease primarily affects the gastrointestinal system and would not directly influence the distribution of an antibiotic used to treat cellulitis in the leg.