A client has a new prescription for Prednisone. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In the case of a client starting a new prescription for Prednisone, the nurse should monitor serum glucose levels. Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication that can lead to hyperglycemia by increasing blood glucose levels. Monitoring serum glucose levels can help detect and manage this potential side effect. For the other options: - Serum potassium: Prednisone can lead to hypokalemia, but monitoring potassium levels is not the priority in this scenario. - Serum calcium: Prednisone does not directly affect calcium levels, so monitoring serum calcium is not necessary in this case. - Serum sodium: Prednisone can cause sodium retention, but monitoring sodium levels is not the priority compared to glucose monitoring in this situation. In an educational context, understanding the side effects and monitoring parameters for commonly prescribed medications like Prednisone is crucial for nursing practice. By knowing which laboratory values to monitor and why, nurses can provide safe and effective care to their patients, prevent complications, and intervene promptly if issues arise.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In pharmacology, understanding how to properly apply transdermal patches is crucial for therapeutic efficacy and patient safety. The correct answer, option C, "I will apply the patch to an area of skin with no hair," is the most appropriate because hair can interfere with proper adhesion and absorption of the medication. Placing the patch on a hairless area ensures better contact with the skin and optimal drug delivery. Option A, cleaning the site with an alcohol swab before applying the patch, is incorrect because alcohol can irritate the skin and affect patch adherence. Option B, rotating application sites weekly, is incorrect as it is a recommendation for preventing skin irritation and not a statement indicating understanding of patch application. Option D, placing the new patch on the site of the old patch, is incorrect as it can lead to skin irritation and uneven drug absorption. Educationally, this question emphasizes the importance of proper transdermal patch application to achieve therapeutic outcomes. It highlights the need for patients to understand key instructions to ensure safe and effective medication delivery through transdermal routes. Understanding these principles is essential for nurses and healthcare providers to educate patients on medication administration methods accurately.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: To determine the flow rate in drops per minute (gtt/min), you can use the formula: (Volume in mL x Drop factor) / Time in minutes = Flow rate in gtt/min. In this case, it would be (100 mL x 10 gtt/mL) / 45 min = 22 gtt/min. Therefore, the healthcare professional should adjust the manual IV infusion to deliver 22 gtt/min.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is A) 0.8 mL. To determine this, we first need to calculate the amount of heparin needed for each dose. The prescribed dose is 15,000 units, and the concentration of the available heparin injection is 20,000 units/mL. Therefore, we can set up a proportion: 15,000 units = x mL 20,000 units Cross multiplying gives us: 20,000x = 15,000 x = 15,000 / 20,000 x = 0.75 mL However, since the available injection is in 20,000 units/mL, we need to round up to the nearest practical measurement, which is 0.8 mL. Option B) 0.75 mL is incorrect because it is the exact calculated dose but not rounded up for practical administration. Option C) 0.5 mL is too low and would result in underdosing the patient. Option D) 1 mL is too high and would result in overdosing the patient. This question not only tests medication calculation skills but also emphasizes the importance of accurately measuring doses to ensure patient safety and effective treatment. It highlights the need for healthcare professionals to be precise in their calculations and administration of medications to prevent adverse effects.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The healthcare professional should withhold the medication and notify the provider of the client's previous reaction to penicillin. This information is crucial for the provider to prescribe an alternative antibiotic. Allergic reactions to penicillin can range from mild to severe anaphylaxis, so prior sensitization should be reported to the provider to avoid potential adverse reactions.