A client has a new prescription for Prednisone. Which of the following instructions should be included in the discharge teaching?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is option A) Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods. Prednisone, a corticosteroid, can lead to hypokalemia (low potassium levels) as a side effect. Potassium-rich foods help prevent this imbalance and maintain electrolyte balance. Option B) Avoid consuming grapefruit juice is incorrect because grapefruit juice can interact with certain medications by affecting their metabolism, but it is not a concern specifically for Prednisone. Option C) Take this medication with food is incorrect because while Prednisone can be taken with food to minimize stomach upset, it is not the most crucial instruction for this medication. Option D) Decrease your intake of sodium-rich foods is incorrect because Prednisone can cause sodium retention, leading to fluid retention and increased blood pressure, so decreasing sodium intake is not as critical as increasing potassium intake. Educationally, this question highlights the importance of understanding medication side effects and how to manage them through dietary interventions. It emphasizes the role of patient education in preventing complications and promoting medication adherence and overall health.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A) Take this medication with food. Metformin is an oral antidiabetic medication that is known to cause gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea and diarrhea. Taking it with food helps to minimize these side effects by slowing down the absorption of the medication and reducing irritation to the stomach lining. Additionally, taking Metformin with a meal helps to ensure more consistent blood levels of the drug, optimizing its effectiveness in controlling blood sugar levels. Option B) Avoid eating foods high in potassium is incorrect because Metformin does not interact with potassium levels in the body. This instruction is unrelated to the safe and effective use of Metformin. Option C) Take this medication at bedtime is incorrect because Metformin is typically taken with meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects and ensure proper absorption. There is no specific timing requirement for taking Metformin at bedtime. Option D) Take this medication every other day is incorrect because Metformin is usually prescribed for daily use to maintain steady blood sugar control. Taking it every other day would not provide consistent therapeutic levels of the medication in the body. In an educational context, it is crucial for nurses to understand the proper administration and instructions for medications like Metformin to ensure patient safety and treatment efficacy. Teaching patients about the importance of taking Metformin with food can help improve medication adherence and reduce the likelihood of adverse effects.

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.