During the immediate postoperative period, the Post Anesthesia Care Unit nurse is assessing a patient who had hip surgery. The patient is experiencing tachycardia, tachypnea, and muscle rigidity, and his temperature is 103° F (39.4° C). The nurse will prepare for what immediate treatment?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: dantrolene (Dantrium) injection, a skeletal muscle relaxant. In this scenario, the patient is likely experiencing malignant hyperthermia (MH), a rare but life-threatening complication of general anesthesia. Dantrolene is the specific treatment for MH as it acts to reduce muscle rigidity and hyperthermia. Naltrexone hydrochloride (A) is used for opioid overdose, not for MH. Anticholinesterase drugs (C) are used for reversing neuromuscular blockade, not for treating MH. CPR and intubation (D) may be needed in severe cases of MH, but the immediate treatment is to administer dantrolene to reverse the condition.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Mix the powder with food or fruit, or at least 4 to 6 ounces of fluid. This method is recommended for cholestyramine (Questran) powder as it helps prevent clumping and ensures proper mixing for administration. Mixing with food or fruit can help mask the texture and taste, making it easier for the patient to consume. Additionally, mixing with an adequate amount of fluid ensures the medication is properly dissolved and absorbed in the body. Incorrect choices: A: Mixing with a carbonated soda drink is not recommended as it may not effectively dissolve the powder and may lead to clumping. B: Stirring vigorously may not be sufficient to dissolve the powder properly and could result in clumping. D: Taking the powder dry followed by water is not ideal as it may lead to difficulty swallowing and inadequate absorption of the medication.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Intramuscular injection using the Z-track method. This method helps prevent leakage of the medication into surrounding tissues and minimizes irritation. Step-by-step rationale: 1. Clean the injection site. 2. Pull the skin laterally to create a zig-zag path. 3. Administer the injection deep into the muscle. 4. Hold the needle in place for a few seconds before removing. Summary: A is incorrect because iron dextran is not typically administered intravenously. B is incorrect as intramuscular injections without the Z-track method can lead to leakage and irritation. D is incorrect as iron dextran injections are not given subcutaneously.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because elimination is defined as the clearance speed of a substance from the blood, indicating how efficiently the kidneys remove a substance from the bloodstream over a given period. This process is quantified by measuring the volume of blood cleared of the substance per unit time. Choices A, C, and D do not directly refer to the process of elimination as described, making them incorrect. Choice A refers to reabsorption, not elimination. Choice C describes half-life, not elimination rate. Choice D refers to clearance of a xenobiotic from an organism, which is related but not the precise definition of elimination in the context of pharmacokinetics.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: The ability to diffuse to the site of action. Ionizable groups in a molecule can influence its ability to cross cell membranes and reach the target site. Potency and toxicity (choice A) are determined by the molecule's interaction with the target, not just ionizable groups. Duration of action (choice B) can be affected by various factors, not solely ionizable groups. Choice D is incorrect because ionizable groups do not directly impact potency, toxicity, and duration of action simultaneously.