The nurse is giving instructions to a client receiving phenytoin (Dilantin). The nurse concludes that the client has a sufficient knowledge if the client states that:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Monitoring serum phenytoin levels is essential to ensure therapeutic efficacy and avoid toxicity. Wearing a medical alert tag is recommended for clients on phenytoin. Alcohol should be avoided, and taking the medication with milk can interfere with absorption. Therefore, the correct statement indicating sufficient knowledge is about monitoring serum levels.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Nicotine toxicity can cause neuromuscular blockade (late phase), but atropine treats muscarinic effects, not paralysis, so that's false. It causes hypertension initially via catecholamine release, not hypotension, making that false. It harms the fetus (e.g., growth restriction), so that's incorrect. Benzodiazepines control agitation and seizures symptomatically, a true statement, useful in acute poisoning. Nausea/vomiting resolve faster than days. Benzodiazepines' symptomatic relief is a practical approach, addressing CNS overstimulation in nicotine overdose.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Sex differences affect drug metabolism (e.g., liver enzymes, body fat), leading to varied side effects, a normal pharmacodynamic variation, reassuring the client they're not at fault. Checking the drug delays a clear answer. Generic vs. brand typically doesn't alter side effects-bioequivalence is required. Uncertainty muddies education. Sex-based differences offer a concise, accurate explanation, normalizing their experience and enhancing understanding.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is C) An antagonist. An antagonist is a drug that binds to a receptor site and inhibits or blocks the action of an endogenous chemical or another drug. By doing so, it decreases the effects produced by the endogenous chemical. Option A) An agonist activates a receptor site to produce a specific response, which is the opposite of what is needed in this case. Option B) A partial agonist activates a receptor site but to a lesser degree than a full agonist, which is not relevant here. Option D) An agonist-antagonist is a drug that can act as both an agonist and an antagonist, which is not the situation described in the question. Understanding the role of antagonists in pharmacology is crucial for nurses to effectively administer medications and manage their effects on patients. By grasping the concept of antagonists, nurses can ensure the safe and appropriate use of drugs to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the most important question for the nurse to ask the patient is option D) "Have you had any thoughts about killing yourself?" This is the correct answer because assessing for suicidal ideation is crucial when initiating treatment with antidepressant medication. Patients with depression are at an increased risk of suicide, especially when starting a new medication that may initially exacerbate symptoms before improvement occurs. Option A) "How much alcohol do you consume during the week?" while important in assessing for substance use, is not as critical as immediate suicide risk assessment in this context. Option B) "Are you allergic to any medications?" is also important but not the priority when initiating treatment for depression. Option C) "How long have you been depressed?" is relevant for understanding the patient's history but does not address the immediate safety concern of suicidal ideation. In an educational context, this question highlights the significance of thorough assessment and prioritization of patient concerns in psychiatric nursing practice. Understanding the rationale behind each option reinforces the importance of critical thinking skills and clinical judgment in providing safe and effective care to patients with mental health conditions.