When administering morning medications for a newly admitted patient, the nurse notes that the patient has an allergy to sulfa drugs. There is an order for the sulfonylurea glipizide (Glucotrol). Which action by the nurse is correct?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The nurse should hold the drug and verify the order with the prescriber because the patient has a documented allergy to sulfa drugs, and glipizide is a sulfonylurea, which has a similar chemical structure to sulfa drugs. While not all patients with a sulfa drug allergy will be allergic to sulfonylureas, it is important to err on the side of caution and confirm the safety of administering the medication with the prescriber. It is crucial to prevent a potentially severe allergic reaction in the patient.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Growth hormone used for therapeutic purposes is obtained through a process called recombinant DNA technology. This method involves inserting the gene that codes for human growth hormone into a bacterial or yeast cell, which then produces the hormone in large quantities. This synthetic growth hormone is identical to the naturally occurring hormone in the body and is safe and effective for therapeutic use. Harvesting growth hormone from human cadaver pituitaries poses a risk of disease transmission, while obtaining it from porcine pituitaries raises concerns about potential immune reactions. Chemical synthesis may not yield a biologically active form of the hormone. Therefore, the most reliable and safe source of therapeutic growth hormone is through the recombinant DNA technique.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Menotropins is a preparation of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) obtained from the urine of menopausal women. Menopausal women have a higher concentration of FSH and LH in their urine compared to menstruating or pregnant women. This preparation is commonly used to induce ovulation in women undergoing fertility treatments. The combination of FSH and LH in menotropins helps stimulate the development of ovarian follicles and triggers ovulation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The metabolic rate of the brain is not significantly affected by thyroxine. Thyroxine mainly influences the metabolic rate of organs with high energy demands such as the heart, liver, and skeletal muscle. Thyroxine increases the metabolic rate by stimulating the production of enzymes involved in energy production and consumption. However, the brain has a relatively stable metabolic rate that is not significantly influenced by changes in thyroid hormone levels.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Triiodothyronine (T3) is preferred over thyroxine (T4) in the treatment of Myxoedema coma, which is a severe form of hypothyroidism that can lead to decreased mental function, hypothermia, and even coma. T3 has a faster onset of action and is more potent than T4, making it the preferred choice in emergency situations like myxoedema coma where rapid correction of thyroid hormone levels is crucial to prevent serious complications. In contrast, in conditions like endemic goiter, cretinism, and papillary carcinoma of thyroid, where long-term maintenance therapy is needed, thyroxine (T4) is usually the preferred choice because of its longer half-life and stability of serum levels over time.