A prenatal patient tells the nurse that she is not taking vitamins because she heard that vitamins may cause damage to the fetus if she becomes pregnant. What is the nurse's best response?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: While vitamins are generally beneficial during pregnancy, excessive doses (megadoses) can be harmful, especially in the first trimester. The nurse should emphasize the importance of taking vitamins at recommended levels and avoiding excessive supplementation. Taking extra vitamins (B) is not advised, and doses above the RDA (D) should be avoided unless prescribed.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Chemotherapy can cause anemia, which reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to decreased red blood cells or hemoglobin. For a patient with a history of cardiac disease, this is particularly concerning because the heart must work harder to deliver oxygen to tissues, potentially exacerbating cardiac conditions. Reduced white blood cells increase infection risk, but this does not directly affect cardiac function. Sodium levels and hematocrit are not the primary concerns in this context. Therefore, reduced oxygen-carrying capacity is the correct answer.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Converting atrial fibrillation (AF) to sinus rhythm requires cardioversion or antiarrhythmics. Digoxin controls rate, not rhythm, ineffective for conversion. Atenolol, a beta-blocker, and diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, manage rate, not rhythm restoration. Lidocaine treats ventricular arrhythmias. Amiodarone, a class III antiarrhythmic, prolongs repolarization, effectively converting AF to sinus rhythm, especially in acute settings, outperforming others. Its broad-spectrum action is key in AF management, balancing efficacy and safety.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Nitrous oxide has a high minimum alveolar concentration (MAC >100%), not low, due to low potency, so that's false. Halogenated agents (e.g., isoflurane) have higher brain:blood coefficients, reflecting solubility, making that false. They reduce mean arterial pressure (MAP) proportional to alveolar concentration via vasodilation, a true statement. Nitrous oxide does decrease tidal volume and increase respiratory rate, true. They don't reduce cerebral metabolic rate via blood flow alone but directly. MAP reduction is a key hemodynamic effect, guiding anesthetic depth monitoring.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Terazosin, an alpha-1 blocker, treats hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by relaxing vascular and prostate smooth muscle, lowering blood pressure and easing urinary flow. Sildenafil, for erectile dysfunction, doesn't address hypertension or BPH and may drop blood pressure, risking complications. Finasteride shrinks the prostate for BPH but doesn't affect hypertension, missing the dual need. Tamsulosin, also for BPH, can cause hypotension but isn't used routinely for hypertension management. Terazosin's dual efficacy makes it safe and suitable, addressing both conditions without worsening either, unlike alternatives lacking hypertensive benefits or posing risks.