When monitoring a patient who has diabetes and is receiving a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor for edema, the nurse will monitor for which possible adverse effect?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are a class of medications used to treat edema by decreasing the production of aqueous humor in the eye and reducing fluid in the body. One common side effect of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors is metabolic acidosis, which can lead to increased blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes. The medication may interfere with the body's ability to regulate blood glucose levels, leading to elevated blood glucose. Therefore, when monitoring a patient with diabetes who is receiving a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, the nurse should closely monitor for signs of elevated blood glucose levels to prevent potential complications.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Cortisol is indeed the primary human glucocorticoid, a true statement regulating metabolism and stress. Normal cortisol secretion is ~10-20 mg/day, not 100 mg, so that's false. ACTH suppression occurs rapidly (hours), true. Cortisol absence heightens catecholamine sensitivity, true, as in Addison's disease. Leukocyte/macrophage inhibition is a glucocorticoid action, not its absence. Cortisol's role as the major glucocorticoid underpins its therapeutic mimicry (e.g., hydrocortisone) in adrenal insufficiency.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Nystatin is an antifungal medication used to treat fungal infections, such as candidiasis. Before administration, assessing whether the client could be pregnant is critical because nystatin's safety in pregnancy is not fully established (Category C), meaning potential risks to the fetus cannot be ruled out without further evaluation. This makes pregnancy status a key safety consideration to prevent harm to an unborn child, outweighing other factors in urgency. The type of diet or amount of fat might influence general health or drug absorption minimally but isn't directly critical to nystatin's administration. Height and weight could affect dosing in some medications, but nystatin's dosing is typically standard and not weight-based for most fungal infections. Thus, confirming pregnancy status ensures the drug's safety profile aligns with the client's condition, making choice C the most critical assessment data to review prior to administration.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Enalapril, an ACE inhibitor, causes dry cough via bradykinin buildup, a common effect needing reporting to consider switching (e.g., to an ARB). Fatigue , headache , and nausea are less specific or urgent. Cough aligns with enalapril's pharmacology, critical in hypertension where adherence hinges on tolerability, making A the key side effect to report.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Before administering Digoxin, the nurse should count the apical pulse for 1 minute. Digoxin is a cardiac medication that primarily works by increasing the force of contractions of the heart muscle. It is important to assess the patient's heart rate to ensure it is within the recommended range before administering Digoxin. This is because Digoxin can cause serious complications such as heart arrhythmias if given when the heart rate is too low. Counting the apical pulse for a full minute provides a more accurate assessment of the heart rate compared to shorter durations.