At admission, the nurse learns that some time ago the client had an infarct in the right motor cortex. During assessment, the nurse would expect to find that:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The motor cortex controls voluntary motor activity. However, decussation occurs at the intersection of the medulla and spinal cord, explaining why the right motor cortex actually controls voluntary motor activity on the left side of the body. 3. These functions are attributed to the association cortex. 4. Broca’s area controls motor speech.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D) This drug is an antidote to digoxin and will help to lower the blood levels. Rationale: Digoxin immune Fab (Digifab) is a specific antidote for digoxin toxicity. It works by binding to the excess digoxin in the body, forming a complex that is then excreted by the kidneys. This helps to lower the blood levels of digoxin and reverse its toxic effects, such as dangerously high heart rates or arrhythmias. Option A) It will increase your heart rate: This is incorrect because Digifab does not increase heart rate, but rather helps to stabilize and normalize the heart rhythm by reversing the toxic effects of digoxin. Option B) This drug helps to lower your potassium levels: This is incorrect as Digifab is not indicated for lowering potassium levels. Its main purpose is to counteract digoxin toxicity specifically. Option C) It helps to convert the irregular heart rhythm to a more normal rhythm: While Digifab can help to stabilize the heart rhythm by reversing digoxin toxicity, its primary action is to act as an antidote and lower digoxin blood levels. Educational context: Understanding the use of antidotes like Digifab is crucial in pharmacology, especially in managing medication overdoses and toxicities. Nurses need to be knowledgeable about antidotes to ensure prompt and effective intervention in such critical situations. This knowledge contributes to patient safety and positive outcomes in clinical practice.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In pharmacology, particularly when managing cardiovascular conditions with diuretic therapy, assessing a patient's fluid volume status is crucial. The correct answer, option C, which includes monitoring intake, output, and daily weight, is the most appropriate measure for evaluating fluid volume status. Intake and output measurements provide direct information on the balance between what the patient is taking in versus what they are excreting, offering insights into fluid retention or loss. Daily weight monitoring can reflect changes in fluid volume, especially in conditions like heart failure where fluid retention is common. Option A, blood pressure and pulse, while important vital signs, may not solely indicate fluid volume status as they can be influenced by factors other than fluid balance. Option B, serum potassium and sodium levels, are more indicative of electrolyte balance rather than overall fluid volume status. Option D, measurements of abdominal girth and calf circumference, are more specific to assessing localized edema rather than overall fluid volume status. Educationally, understanding the rationale behind choosing the correct assessment measure for fluid volume status enhances a nurse's ability to provide safe and effective care to patients receiving diuretic therapy, especially in cardiovascular conditions where fluid balance is critical for optimal outcomes.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Pharmacokinetics is a fundamental concept in pharmacology that refers to the study of how the body processes a drug. It includes absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of a drug (ADME). In this context, option C, "Excretion of substances," is the correct answer. Option A, "Localization of drug action," is related to pharmacodynamics, not pharmacokinetics. Pharmacodynamics is the study of the effects of drugs on the body and the mechanisms of their action. Option B, "Mechanisms of drug action," pertains to how drugs produce their effects at the molecular or cellular level, which falls under pharmacodynamics. Option D, "Interaction of substances," is a broad term that can encompass both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between drugs or substances in the body, but it is not a specific component of pharmacokinetics. Understanding pharmacokinetics is crucial for healthcare professionals as it influences the drug's concentration at the site of action, duration of action, and overall effectiveness. It also determines dosing regimens and helps prevent adverse effects. By mastering pharmacokinetics, healthcare providers can optimize drug therapy to achieve the desired therapeutic outcomes while minimizing risks to patients.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In pharmacology, understanding the interaction between drugs and receptors is crucial. The irreversible interaction of an antagonist with a receptor is due to covalent bonds. Covalent bonds are strong chemical bonds formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms. When an antagonist forms a covalent bond with a receptor, it creates a long-lasting or permanent blockage of the receptor, leading to irreversible antagonism. Ionic bonds and hydrogen bonds are weaker than covalent bonds. Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons between atoms, while hydrogen bonds are formed between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom. These types of bonds are more easily broken compared to covalent bonds, resulting in reversible interactions between drugs and receptors. Educationally, understanding the different types of chemical bonds involved in drug-receptor interactions helps pharmacology students comprehend the mechanisms of action of various drugs. It also highlights the importance of considering the strength and duration of bond formation when designing drugs for specific therapeutic purposes. By grasping these concepts, students can better predict drug effects and interactions in clinical scenarios.