A client has a new prescription for Atorvastatin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B) Avoid drinking grapefruit juice. Atorvastatin is a statin medication commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol levels. Grapefruit juice contains compounds that can interfere with the enzymes responsible for metabolizing certain drugs, including atorvastatin. Consuming grapefruit juice while taking atorvastatin can lead to increased levels of the medication in the bloodstream, which may result in adverse effects or reduced effectiveness of the drug. Option A) Take this medication with food is not the best instruction for atorvastatin. While some medications benefit from being taken with food to reduce stomach upset or enhance absorption, atorvastatin can be taken with or without food. Option C) Take this medication in the morning does not directly impact the effectiveness or safety of atorvastatin. Atorvastatin can be taken at any time of the day, as long as it is taken consistently. Option D) Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods is not relevant to atorvastatin therapy. Atorvastatin does not interact with potassium levels in the body, so there is no specific need to increase potassium intake while taking this medication. In an educational context, it is crucial for nurses to understand the specific instructions and considerations for each medication to ensure patient safety and effectiveness of treatment. Teaching patients about potential drug interactions, like avoiding grapefruit juice with atorvastatin, is essential to promote optimal outcomes and prevent complications.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medication that works by preventing blood clots. Monitoring the patient's platelet count is essential because a decrease in platelet count can increase the risk of bleeding. By assessing the platelet count, the healthcare professional can detect any potential adverse effects related to the medication and take appropriate actions to prevent complications.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A routine prescription indicates that the medication is to be administered on a regular schedule, typically daily, without a specified termination date or a specific number of doses. In this case, Lisinopril 10 mg PO once daily is to be given regularly until the healthcare provider decides to discontinue it. This type of prescription is common for medications that are part of the client's ongoing treatment regimen.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is A) 8 mL. The rationale behind this is based on the dosage calculation for furosemide. The prescription calls for 80 mg of furosemide to be administered daily. The available oral solution strength is 10 mg/1 mL. To determine the amount of solution needed, we divide the total dosage by the concentration of the solution. So, 80 mg / 10 mg/mL = 8 mL. Therefore, the healthcare professional should administer 8 mL of furosemide oral solution daily. Now, let's analyze why the other options are incorrect: B) 10 mL: This is incorrect because it does not take into account the correct dosage calculation based on the concentration of the solution. Administering 10 mL would result in a higher dosage than prescribed. C) 6 mL: This is incorrect because it also does not align with the correct dosage calculation. Administering 6 mL would result in a lower dosage than prescribed. D) 12 mL: This is incorrect as it represents an incorrect dosage calculation that would result in a higher dosage than prescribed. Understanding dosage calculations is crucial in pharmacology to ensure patient safety and effective treatment. Healthcare professionals must be proficient in accurately calculating dosages based on medication concentrations to prevent medication errors and provide optimal care to patients. Practice and proficiency in dosage calculations are essential skills for pharmacology students and healthcare professionals.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A) 125 mL/hr. This calculation involves determining the infusion rate for the total volume of D5W to be infused over a specified time period. In this case, 750 mL of D5W is to be infused over 6 hours. To find the mL/hr rate, you would divide the total volume by the total time: 750 mL ÷ 6 hr = 125 mL/hr. Option B) 100 mL/hr is incorrect because this rate would result in the infusion taking longer than the specified 6 hours. Option C) 150 mL/hr and D) 200 mL/hr are also incorrect as they would infuse the solution too quickly, which could lead to adverse effects such as fluid overload or electrolyte imbalances. Understanding IV infusion rates is crucial for healthcare providers to ensure safe and accurate medication administration. It involves basic pharmacology principles and math calculations that are essential for patient safety. Healthcare professionals must be able to calculate infusion rates accurately to provide optimal patient care and prevent medication errors.