The nurse manages care for several clients receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT). What will the priority assessment by the nurse include as related to side effects?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: HRT, often involving estrogen, increases thrombophlebitis risk due to enhanced clotting factors. Calf pain signals possible deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a life-threatening side effect requiring immediate assessment, as it could lead to pulmonary embolism. Decreased libido , low-back pain , and fatigue may occur with HRT but are less urgent and not specific to its most dangerous complications. The nurse prioritizes calf pain due to its association with thromboembolism, a well-documented HRT risk, especially in smokers or those with vascular issues, making choice A the critical focus for safety.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Beta blockers are commonly prescribed for patients who have had a myocardial infarction (MI) because they help to reduce the workload on the heart by slowing down the heart rate. By reducing the heart rate, beta blockers decrease the heart's oxygen demand and workload, which can help to prevent future cardiac events. Slowing of the heart rate also allows for more efficient filling of the ventricles, which can improve cardiac output and overall heart function. Additionally, beta blockers can help to stabilize the electrical activity of the heart, which can reduce the risk of arrhythmias in patients who have experienced an MI.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Riluzole is the only FDA-approved drug for ALS, extending survival by inhibiting glutamate release, reducing excitotoxicity that accelerates motor neuron death. It modestly slows progression, offering a disease-modifying effect. Pramipexole and selegiline, dopamine-related drugs, treat Parkinson's, not ALS. Galantamine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, targets Alzheimer's cognition. Glatiramer manages MS via immune modulation. Riluzole's glutamate antagonism addresses ALS's neurodegenerative mechanism, backed by clinical trials, making it uniquely approved for this fatal condition.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Allopurinol reduces uric acid production, treating gout by inhibiting xanthine oxidase. Monitoring serum uric acid tracks efficacy, ensuring levels drop (normal: 3.5-7.2 mg/dL) to prevent flares. BUN reflects kidney function, relevant but secondary unless damage exists. White blood cells and platelets aren't directly affected unless hypersensitivity occurs (rare). Uric acid is the therapeutic target, aligning with allopurinol's mechanism, critical in gout where hyperuricemia drives symptoms. Regular checks confirm treatment success, guiding dose adjustments, making A the key value to monitor.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In hyperkalemia (5.9 mEq/L), insulin shifts potassium into cells , lowering serum levels temporarily, paired with glucose to avoid hypoglycemia. Choice B misstates excretion. Choice C compares unnecessarily. Choice D attributes renal action incorrectly. A explains the mechanism accurately, making it the best response.