A client is receiving heparin to treat a deep vein thrombosis. The nurse should monitor which laboratory result to assist in evaluating the efficacy of the drug?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The nurse should monitor the partial thromboplastin time to evaluate the efficacy of heparin. Partial thromboplastin time reflects the anticoagulant effect of heparin by measuring the intrinsic pathway of coagulation. Platelet count assesses platelet levels and is not specific to heparin efficacy. Prothrombin time is used to monitor warfarin therapy. Serum levels of protamine sulfate are not used to evaluate the efficacy of heparin.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Levodopa-carbidopa is a medication commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). It can cause side effects such as hypotension with sudden position changes. To assist the client in managing this side effect, the physical therapy assistant can help avoid sudden position changes. Additionally, if insomnia occurs, adjusting the timing of the last dose earlier in the day can be beneficial. It is important to note that drowsiness can also be a side effect of the medication and should be reported to the nurse. Foods high in Vitamin B6 can interfere with the absorption of levodopa-carbidopa; hence, it is advisable to avoid increasing the consumption of such foods. Lastly, it is crucial to remind the team that while this medication helps alleviate symptoms like tremors, it may not relieve all symptoms of PD comprehensively.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Albuterol is a bronchodilator in the adrenergic category. Its actions and adverse effects are similar to adrenaline or epinephrine. The healthcare provider should monitor the client for tachycardia, which is a common adverse effect of albuterol due to its stimulant effect on beta-2 receptors. Enuresis, or night bed-wetting, is not an adverse effect associated with albuterol. Additionally, the client should be monitored for anxiety as a potential adverse effect, not lethargy or depression, which are not typically associated with albuterol administration.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct intervention that the practical nurse should ensure has been done prior to the administration of antibiotics is obtaining a sputum specimen (Option A). This is crucial because obtaining a sputum specimen helps identify the specific bacteria causing the pneumonia, allowing for targeted antibiotic therapy. This practice is essential in ensuring the most effective treatment and preventing the development of antibiotic resistance. The other options are not as relevant in this specific situation: - Setting of vital signs (Option B) is important for overall patient assessment but is not directly related to the administration of antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia. - An electrocardiogram (Option C) is used to assess cardiac function and is not necessary prior to initiating antibiotic therapy for pneumonia. - Checking the glucometer (Option D) is important for diabetic patients or those at risk of hypoglycemia but is not directly linked to the administration of antibiotics in this context. From an educational perspective, understanding the rationale behind each intervention is crucial for nursing students to develop critical thinking skills and make informed clinical decisions based on the specific needs of their patients. This question highlights the importance of evidence-based practice and individualized patient care in pharmacological interventions.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The practical nurse should explain to the client that glipizide is not an oral form of insulin but an oral hypoglycemic agent. Glipizide works by enhancing pancreatic production of insulin when some beta cell function is present. It is not a replacement for insulin but helps the body produce more insulin. Therefore, it can be used when there is still some beta cell function present, unlike insulin which is used when there is a deficiency of endogenous insulin production.