A nurse approaches a hospitalized poststroke patient from the patient’s left side to do an assessment. The patient is staring straight ahead, and does not respond to the nurse’s presence or voice. Which action should the nurse take first?

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Pharmacology and the Nursing Process Test Bank Free Questions

Question 1 of 9

A nurse approaches a hospitalized poststroke patient from the patient’s left side to do an assessment. The patient is staring straight ahead, and does not respond to the nurse’s presence or voice. Which action should the nurse take first?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: 1. By approaching the patient from the other side, the nurse can assess if the patient has a visual field deficit. 2. This step helps determine if the lack of response is due to a sensory issue. 3. It allows the nurse to rule out unilateral neglect or hemianopsia. 4. Walking to the other side is a basic assessment technique to evaluate visual and sensory deficits in poststroke patients. Other Choices: B. Speaking more loudly and clearly may not address the potential sensory issues the patient is experiencing. C. Waving fingers in front of the patient's face does not provide a comprehensive assessment of visual field deficits. D. Using a picture may be helpful, but addressing the potential visual field deficit should be prioritized first.

Question 2 of 9

A 40 year old woman with aplastic anemia is prescribed estrogen with progesterone. The nurse can expect that these medications are given for which of the following reasons?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: To stimulate bone growth. Estrogen and progesterone are hormones that play a crucial role in maintaining bone density and promoting bone growth. In postmenopausal women or individuals with conditions like aplastic anemia, bone health can be compromised. Estrogen helps in preventing bone loss and maintaining bone strength, while progesterone also contributes to bone formation. Therefore, in this scenario, these medications are likely prescribed to help improve bone health in the woman with aplastic anemia. Incorrect choices: B: Estrogen and progesterone do not directly enhance sodium and potassium levels. C: Estrogen and progesterone do not regulate fluid balance absorption directly. D: Estrogen and progesterone do not specifically promote utilization and storage of fluids.

Question 3 of 9

A client comes to the clinic complaining of weight loss, fatigue, and a low-grade fever. Physical examination reveals a slight enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes. To assess possible causes for the fever, it would be most appropriate for the nurse to initially ask: a."Have you bee sexually active lately?" b, "Do you have a sore throat at the present time?"

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: - The correct answer is A, "Have you been exposed recently to anyone with an infection?" because it helps assess potential sources of infection causing the low-grade fever and other symptoms. - Choice B is irrelevant as the client's current sore throat is not the main concern. - Choice C and D do not address the potential infectious etiology of the symptoms. - Overall, assessing recent exposure to infections is crucial in identifying possible sources of the client's symptoms.

Question 4 of 9

Which of the following is the most important assessment during the acute stage of an unconscious patient like Mr. Franco?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D - Patency of airway and adequacy of respiration. This is the most important assessment during the acute stage of an unconscious patient like Mr. Franco because maintaining a clear airway and ensuring proper breathing are crucial for sustaining life. Without a patent airway and adequate respiration, the patient's oxygen supply could be compromised, leading to serious complications such as hypoxia or respiratory failure. Monitoring the airway and respiratory status takes precedence over other assessments in this scenario. A: Level of awareness and response to pain - While important, assessing level of awareness and response to pain is secondary to ensuring a patent airway and adequate respiration in an unconscious patient. B: Papillary reflexes and response to sensory stimuli - While these assessments provide valuable information about neurological function, they are not as critical as maintaining a clear airway and proper breathing in an unconscious patient. C: Coherence and sense of hearing - Coherence and sense of hearing are not as vital as

Question 5 of 9

For a client in addisonian crisis, it would be very risky for a nurse to administer:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: potassium chloride. In Addisonian crisis, the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and aldosterone. Potassium levels are typically elevated in Addisonian crisis due to decreased aldosterone. Administering potassium chloride can further increase potassium levels, leading to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Hydrocortisone (B) is essential to replace cortisol, normal saline solution (C) helps with volume resuscitation, and fludrocortisone (D) replaces aldosterone. Administering potassium chloride would exacerbate the hyperkalemia in Addisonian crisis.

Question 6 of 9

The nurse is aware that the shift of body fluids associated with the intravenous administration of albumin occurs by the process of:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Filtration. Albumin is a large protein molecule that cannot pass through the semipermeable membrane of blood vessels. Therefore, the shift of body fluids associated with intravenous albumin administration occurs through the process of filtration, where fluid moves across the membrane due to a pressure difference. Osmosis (B) involves the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane, which is not the case for albumin. Diffusion (C) is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to low concentration, which is not how albumin moves. Active transport (D) requires energy to move substances against a concentration gradient, which is not the mechanism for albumin movement in the body.

Question 7 of 9

The nurse understands that an anaphylactic reaction is considered which of the following types of hypersensitivity reactions?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Type I hypersensitivity reaction. In Type I hypersensitivity, anaphylactic reactions involve immediate IgE-mediated responses to allergens, leading to histamine release and potentially life-threatening symptoms. This type of reaction is characterized by rapid onset and systemic involvement. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because Type III reactions involve immune complex deposition leading to inflammation (B), Type II reactions involve cytotoxic antibodies targeting cells (C), and Type IV reactions involve delayed cell-mediated responses (D).

Question 8 of 9

A client with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is receiving zidovudine (azidothymidine, AZT [Retrovir]). To check for adverse drug effects, the nurse should monitor the results of laboratory test?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Platelet count. Zidovudine (AZT) is known to cause bone marrow suppression, leading to decreased platelet production. Monitoring platelet count is crucial to detect early signs of thrombocytopenia, a common adverse effect of AZT. Rationale: A) RBC count: AZT can cause anemia, not specifically affecting the RBC count. B) Serum calcium: AZT does not typically affect calcium levels. C) Fasting blood glucose: AZT can cause hyperglycemia, but fasting blood glucose monitoring is not as critical as monitoring platelet count for AZT therapy.

Question 9 of 9

Why may an ice collar be ordered for a client who is undergoing drainage of a peritonsillar abscess?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: To prevent respiratory obstruction. An ice collar is used to reduce swelling and inflammation, which can help prevent the abscess from compressing the airway and causing respiratory obstruction. This is crucial in cases of peritonsillar abscess to ensure the client's airway remains patent. Choices A, C, and D do not directly address the primary concern of preventing respiratory obstruction in this context.

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