A patient is admitted to the hospital with an acute gout attack. The nurse expects that which medication will be ordered to treat acute gout?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Colchicine is the medication of choice for treating acute gout attacks due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It works by inhibiting microtubule polymerization, which reduces the migration of neutrophils to the inflamed joint, thereby alleviating pain and swelling. Allopurinol and probenecid are used for long-term management of gout to prevent future attacks by lowering uric acid levels, but they are not effective during an acute attack. Sulfinpyrazone is another uricosuric agent used for chronic management. Therefore, colchicine is the most appropriate medication for acute gout treatment, and nurses should be familiar with its use and monitoring.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The official name of a drug used in the United States Pharmacopeia-National Formulary (USP-NF) is the generic name. The generic name is the non-proprietary name of a drug, which is based on its chemical structure. It is important to distinguish the generic name from other types of names like the brand name (specific name given by the manufacturer) or proprietary name (registered trademark name owned by a pharmaceutical company). In the USP-NF, the generic name is used to refer to the drug in a standardized and universally recognized manner. This helps ensure clarity and consistency in the identification and communication of drug information.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The most common side effect that occurs with the initial therapy of Nitroglycerine due to increased vasodilation is a headache. Nitroglycerine works by dilating blood vessels to improve blood flow to the heart. This sudden increase in vasodilation can lead to headache in many individuals, especially when starting the medication. The headache is often described as a pulsating sensation and usually subsides as the body adjusts to the medication. It is important to reassure patients that this side effect is temporary and tends to improve with continued use.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: ACE inhibitors are known to cause a decrease in blood pressure as part of their mechanism of action. Monitoring the patient's blood pressure regularly while on ACE inhibitors is crucial to identify any significant drops that may lead to hypotension. This proactive monitoring allows healthcare providers to adjust the dosage of the medication or provide necessary interventions to prevent adverse effects such as dizziness, syncope, or compromised tissue perfusion. Monitoring ins and outs with patients using ACE inhibitors primarily focuses on assessing for potential decreased blood pressure as a key safety measure during treatment.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A patient with a history of heart failure (HF) presenting with difficulty breathing, cough, and lower extremity edema is likely experiencing decompensated HF, which is characterized by a decrease in cardiac output and inadequate tissue perfusion. Positive inotropes are medications that increase cardiac contractility, helping to improve the heart's pumping ability. By administering a positive inotrope, such as dobutamine or milrinone, the nurse can help enhance the heart's contractility, increase cardiac output, and improve overall tissue perfusion in the patient with decompensated HF. This can help alleviate symptoms such as difficulty breathing and edema in the lower extremities.