A healthcare provider is caring for a client who is prescribed Furosemide. Which of the following laboratory values should the healthcare provider monitor?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In pharmacology, understanding the potential side effects and monitoring parameters for specific medications is crucial for safe and effective patient care. In the case of Furosemide, a loop diuretic commonly used to treat conditions such as edema and hypertension, monitoring serum potassium levels is essential due to the medication's mechanism of action. Furosemide works by inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the loop of Henle in the kidneys, leading to increased excretion of water and electrolytes, including potassium. This can result in hypokalemia, a condition characterized by low potassium levels in the blood. Hypokalemia can lead to serious cardiac complications, such as arrhythmias and muscle weakness. Therefore, monitoring serum potassium levels allows healthcare providers to detect and address potential imbalances promptly, ensuring patient safety and optimal medication effectiveness. Regarding the other options: - Serum calcium and serum sodium are not typically directly affected by Furosemide, so monitoring these values is not a primary concern when administering this medication. - Serum magnesium levels can be affected by loop diuretics like Furosemide, but potassium monitoring takes precedence due to its critical role in cardiac function. Educationally, this scenario highlights the importance of understanding medication mechanisms of action, potential side effects, and appropriate monitoring parameters to provide safe and effective patient care in pharmacology practice.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the client to avoid salt substitutes. Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, can lead to hyperkalemia, so it is essential to avoid salt substitutes containing potassium, which can further increase potassium levels in the body. This instruction aims to prevent potential adverse effects and ensure the client's safety while taking Lisinopril.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In the context of a client prescribed Prednisone, the correct dietary instruction to include is to "increase your intake of potassium-rich foods." Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication that can lead to potassium loss through increased urine production. By increasing potassium-rich foods intake, the client can help prevent hypokalemia, a potential side effect of Prednisone therapy. Option B, "increase your intake of dairy products," is incorrect because while dairy products are a good source of calcium, they do not specifically address the potassium loss associated with Prednisone use. Option C, "avoid foods high in vitamin K," is incorrect because vitamin K is not directly related to Prednisone therapy. Vitamin K is more commonly associated with medications like warfarin due to its role in blood clotting. Option D, "decrease your intake of protein," is incorrect because protein intake is important for overall health and not specifically contraindicated with Prednisone use. In an educational context, it is crucial for nurses to understand the potential side effects of medications like Prednisone and how to provide appropriate dietary instructions to mitigate these effects. By explaining the rationale behind dietary recommendations, nurses can empower clients to manage their medication therapy effectively and promote better health outcomes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: To verify the trough levels of a medication accurately, the nurse should obtain a blood specimen immediately before administering the next dose of the medication. The trough level represents the lowest concentration of the medication in the bloodstream, typically right before the next dose is due. This timing ensures an accurate assessment of the drug's concentration in the body at its lowest point, aiding in determining the drug's effectiveness and potential toxicity levels.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is A) 200 mL/hr. To determine the correct infusion rate, we need to consider that the clindamycin injection contains 200 mg in 100 mL of 0.9% NaCl to infuse over 30 minutes. Since the total volume is 100 mL to be infused over 30 minutes, we need to calculate the infusion rate in mL/hr. To do this, we first convert 30 minutes to hours (30 minutes ÷ 60 minutes = 0.5 hours). Then, we divide the total volume (100 mL) by the time in hours (0.5 hours), which gives us an infusion rate of 200 mL/hr. Now, let's analyze why the other options are incorrect: - B) 150 mL/hr: This is incorrect because it does not account for the total volume of the infusion (100 mL) over the specified time (30 minutes). - C) 100 mL/hr: This option is too low as it would result in a slower infusion rate than necessary for the specified dose and timeframe. - D) 250 mL/hr: This option is too high and would result in a faster infusion rate than intended, potentially leading to adverse effects due to rapid administration of the medication. In an educational context, understanding how to calculate IV infusion rates is crucial for healthcare professionals to ensure accurate medication administration and patient safety. Proper dosage calculations help prevent medication errors and ensure that patients receive the correct amount of medication at the appropriate rate. Mastering pharmacology calculations is a fundamental skill for healthcare providers to deliver safe and effective patient care.