The nurse is administering oxycodone to a patient. Which common side effect should the nurse teach the patient about?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Drowsiness is a common side effect of oxycodone, an opioid analgesic. Patients should be advised to avoid activities requiring alertness, such as driving, while taking this medication. Paresthesia (A), increased intracranial pressure (B), and occipital headache (C) are not typical side effects of oxycodone.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Acetaminophen is not an opioid or NSAID. While it is commonly used to relieve pain and reduce fever, acetaminophen works differently from opioids and NSAIDs. Acetaminophen is believed to reduce pain by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins in the brain, whereas opioids work by binding to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, and NSAIDs work by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins in the peripheral tissues.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Paracetamol overdose risks fatal hepatotoxicity via NAPQI, a toxic metabolite depleting glutathione. Methionine replenishes glutathione orally, effective if given early, but less preferred due to slower action and GI upset. Acetylcysteine, administered IV or orally, directly supplies glutathione precursors, neutralizing NAPQI within the critical 8-12 hour window, making it the first-choice antidote per global guidelines (e.g., Rumack-Matthew nomogram). It's superior for its rapid efficacy, especially beyond 8 hours, preventing liver failure. Naloxone reverses opioids, irrelevant here. Dicobalt edetate treats cyanide poisoning, not paracetamol. Flumazenil targets benzodiazepines. Acetylcysteine's mechanism and timing flexibility ensure maximal survival, critical in emergency settings where overdose severity varies.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: When teaching patients about taking beta2-blocking drugs for the treatment of angina, it is important to include information about monitoring for signs of heart failure. Weight gain can be an early sign of fluid retention, which can indicate heart failure. Instructing patients to alert their healthcare provider if they experience a weight gain of 2 lb or more in 24 hours or 5 lb or more in 1 week can help in early detection and management of potential heart failure. This is crucial for the safety and well-being of the patient.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Pharmacodynamics refers to the study of the biochemical, physiological, and behavioral effects of drugs on the body and their mechanisms of action. It specifically focuses on the drugs' actions at the receptor site and how these actions lead to specific responses in the body. This includes understanding how drugs interact with target receptors, enzymes, and other molecular targets within the body to produce their effects. Pharmacodynamics also involves studying the relationship between the drug concentration and the magnitude of the response it elicits, as well as factors influencing the variability in individual responses to a drug. In summary, pharmacodynamics is crucial for understanding how drugs work in the body and how they produce their therapeutic or adverse effects.