While assessing a client who takes acetaminophen for chronic pain, the nurse observes that the client's skin looks yellow in color. Which action should the nurse take in response to this finding?
Use a pulse oximeter to assess oxygen saturation.
Advise the client to reduce the medication dose.
Report the finding to the healthcare provider.
Check the client's capillary glucose level.
The Correct Answer is C
Rationale:
A. Jaundice is not related to oxygen saturation, so using a pulse oximeter is not appropriate in this situation.
B. Reducing the dose of acetaminophen may be necessary, but this decision should be made after evaluating liver function.
C. Jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the skin, can indicate liver dysfunction, possibly due to acetaminophen overuse or toxicity. The nurse should report this finding to the healthcare provider immediately for further evaluation and management.
D. Checking capillary glucose levels is not relevant to the assessment of jaundice.
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Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Storing the remainder of the medication in a locked drawer is not appropriate for controlled substances that are not fully administered.
B. Lorazepam is a controlled substance, and any unused portion must be disposed of according to hospital policy, typically by discarding it with a witness. The presence of another nurse to witness the discarding process ensures proper documentation and compliance with legal regulations.
C. Withdrawing the medication into a syringe and labeling it is unsafe as it may lead to medication errors or misuse.
D. Simply throwing the vial into the trash, even with another nurse present, does not comply with the proper disposal procedure for controlled substances.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Acetaminophen, especially in high doses or with prolonged use, is known to cause hepatotoxicity, which can lead to jaundice. Notifying the healthcare provider is crucial to prevent further liver damage.
B. Captopril, an ACE inhibitor used for hypertension, is not commonly associated with jaundice or liver dysfunction.
C. Omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor used for GERD, is less likely to cause liver damage compared to acetaminophen.
D. Prednisone, a corticosteroid, can have many side effects, but hepatotoxicity is not among the most common, making acetaminophen the most concerning drug in this context.