Before administering Digoxin, the nurse should complete which task?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Before administering Digoxin, it is crucial for the nurse to count the patient's apical pulse for 1 minute. Digoxin is a medication commonly prescribed to manage heart conditions such as heart failure and certain irregular heartbeats. Since Digoxin works by helping the heart beat stronger and at a more normal rhythm, it is essential to monitor the patient's heart rate before administering the medication. Counting the apical pulse for 1 minute allows for an accurate assessment of the patient's baseline heart rate, which is crucial in determining whether it is safe to administer Digoxin. If the heart rate is too low (bradycardia), administering Digoxin could potentially cause further complications. Therefore, assessing the apical pulse beforehand is a critical step in ensuring the safe administration of Digoxin.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Biliary secretion (e.g., rifampin) leads to fecal excretion for some drugs, while others recycle enterohepatically, prolonging action. Not all are fecal-bound-recirculation varies. Gallbladder stores bile, not metabolizes. Many drugs use bile, not rare. Recirculation reflects pharmacokinetics, affecting duration.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: A 25 percent albumin solution contains 25 grams of albumin per 100 milliliters. To administer 1 gram of albumin, the nurse would calculate the volume as follows: 1 gram ÷ 25 grams/100 milliliters = 4 milliliters. Therefore, the nurse will administer 4 milliliters of the 25 percent albumin solution to deliver the ordered dose of 1 gram. Using the entire vial or not using the product at all would be incorrect.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Erectile dysfunction drugs, such as Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), and Levitra (vardenafil), are contraindicated with nitroglycerin. Both nitroglycerin and erectile dysfunction drugs can cause a sudden decrease in blood pressure when taken together, leading to a serious drop in blood pressure. This could result in dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and even potentially life-threatening complications like a heart attack or stroke. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid the combination of nitroglycerin with erectile dysfunction medications to prevent these adverse effects.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Levetiracetam treats post-stroke focal seizures by modulating SV2A, offering efficacy, minimal hepatic metabolism, and low interaction risk, ideal for an elderly patient with likely polypharmacy. Phenytoin, a sodium channel blocker, controls seizures but has nonlinear kinetics and P450 induction, risking toxicity. Oxcarbazepine, similar to carbamazepine, has hyponatremia risks, concerning in the elderly. Phenobarbital sedates and interacts via P450. Levetiracetam's safety, renal clearance, and effectiveness in stroke-related epilepsy, per guidelines, make it the most appropriate here.