A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for Furosemide. Which of the following dietary instructions should the nurse provide?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In educating a client prescribed with Furosemide, it is crucial to provide dietary instructions to prevent potential adverse effects. The correct answer is A) Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium depletion, leading to hypokalemia. Potassium-rich foods can help counteract this effect and maintain electrolyte balance. Option B) Limit your intake of calcium-rich foods is incorrect because Furosemide does not directly impact calcium levels. Restricting calcium-rich foods unnecessarily may lead to calcium deficiency. Option C) Avoid consuming dairy products is incorrect as dairy products are not contraindicated with Furosemide. In fact, they can provide essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D. Option D) Increase your intake of fiber-rich foods is incorrect as fiber intake is not specifically related to Furosemide therapy. While a balanced diet with fiber is beneficial for overall health, it is not the priority in this case. Educationally, understanding the rationale behind dietary instructions for clients on specific medications is vital for nurses to provide comprehensive care. By explaining the importance of potassium-rich foods in this context, nurses can promote medication adherence and patient safety.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The patient's first action should be to stop mowing and sit or lie down. Chest pain can be a symptom of a heart attack, and it is important for the patient to immediately rest and avoid physical strain. Continuing to mow the lawn could worsen the condition or lead to further complications. Sitting or lying down will help reduce the heart's workload and minimize the exertion on the body. If the chest pain continues or worsens, seeking medical help should be the next course of action.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: A low apical pulse rate of 53 beats/min indicates bradycardia, which is a side effect of digoxin. Before administering digoxin, the nurse should always check the patient's pulse rate. If the apical pulse is below the facility's specified parameters (typically below 60 beats/min), the nurse should withhold the dose and notify the prescriber immediately. Bradycardia can be an indication of digoxin toxicity, which can be potentially life-threatening, so it is crucial to follow the protocol and seek further guidance before administering the medication.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Before administering a potassium supplement to a patient, it is crucial to check the patient's serum potassium level. This is because if the serum potassium level is already elevated or within the high end of the normal range, giving additional potassium could lead to hyperkalemia, which can be life-threatening. Conversely, if the serum potassium level is low (hypokalemia), then administering potassium supplementation may be necessary to correct the deficiency. Monitoring the serum potassium level helps ensure safe and effective treatment with potassium supplements. It is a critical part of assessing the patient's electrolyte balance and overall health status.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Omitting a dose of transdermal nitroglycerin therapy once a week is often recommended to help reduce tolerance. Tolerance to nitroglycerin can develop with continuous use, limiting its effectiveness. By omitting a dose once a week, you are essentially giving the body a break from the medication and preventing tolerance from developing. This strategy can help maintain the efficacy of the nitroglycerin therapy over time. It is important to follow the guidance of a healthcare provider when making any changes to the dosing regimen of nitroglycerin to ensure safety and effectiveness.