The client is receiving vancomycin, and the nurse plans to draw blood for a peak and trough to determine... the best timing for these levels?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: To accurately determine peak and trough levels of vancomycin, blood should be drawn two hours after the completion of the IV dose and 30 minutes before the next dose. This timing allows for appropriate assessment of the drug levels in the body, ensuring accurate monitoring of therapeutic and toxic concentrations.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. It is crucial for the nurse to obtain information regarding the client's pregnancy status before administering misoprostol, as this medication is contraindicated in pregnancy due to its potential to cause uterine contractions. This can lead to serious complications such as miscarriage or premature birth. Therefore, assessing whether the client is currently pregnant is essential to ensure the safe administration of misoprostol.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is B) Withhold the dose until regular insulin is available. The rationale behind this answer is that regular insulin and isophane insulin are two different types of insulin with distinct onset and peak action times. Regular insulin has a faster onset and shorter duration of action compared to isophane insulin, which has a slower onset and longer duration of action. Administering isophane insulin instead of regular insulin could lead to inappropriate blood glucose control due to the mismatch in timing of insulin action. Therefore, it is crucial to wait until the correct type of insulin (regular insulin) is available to ensure safe and effective management of the client's blood glucose levels. Now, let's analyze why the other options are incorrect: A) Withdrawing ten units of regular insulin from the 70/30 vial is incorrect because 70/30 insulin is a premixed insulin containing both regular and isophane insulin. This would not provide the client with the required dose of regular insulin alone. C) Obtaining a new vial of regular insulin and withholding is incorrect as it delays the administration of insulin without addressing the immediate need for the correct type of insulin. D) Pulling up 30 units from the 70/30 vial but only administering 10 units is incorrect as it still involves administering a mixture of regular and isophane insulin, which is not the appropriate treatment in this case. This question highlights the importance of understanding the differences between various types of insulin and the significance of administering the correct type at the right time to ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes and patient safety in pharmacological practice.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Scopolamine is not a pain medication; it is commonly used to prevent nausea and vomiting, particularly in surgical settings. It works on the central nervous system to help control these symptoms, not to relieve pain. Therefore, it is important for the nurse to explain to the client that the medication is not intended to relieve pain but rather to manage other specific symptoms. Checking the correct placement of the patch is also important to ensure proper administration, but addressing the misconception about the medication's purpose is the priority in this scenario.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C) The benztropine is used to control the side effects of olanzapine. This is the most appropriate information for the practical nurse to reinforce because benztropine is commonly used to manage the extrapyramidal side effects (such as tremors, muscle stiffness, and restlessness) associated with antipsychotic medications like olanzapine. Option A is incorrect because benztropine does not specifically target olanzapine's side effect of urinary retention. Option B is incorrect as benztropine does not potentiate the effect of olanzapine; rather, it helps mitigate its side effects. Option D is also incorrect because while the combination of benztropine and olanzapine may help in managing psychotic behaviors indirectly by addressing side effects, benztropine itself does not directly modify psychotic behavior. In an educational context, it is crucial for healthcare professionals to understand the rationale behind combination therapy and the specific roles of each medication to provide safe and effective care to patients. Reinforcing the purpose of benztropine in managing olanzapine's side effects helps ensure optimal patient outcomes and medication adherence.