When teaching a patient who has a new prescription for transdermal nitroglycerin patches, the nurse tells the patient that these patches are most appropriately used for which situation?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Transdermal nitroglycerin patches are most appropriately used to prevent the occurrence of angina. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that works by relaxing and widening blood vessels, which helps to increase blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle. By using nitroglycerin patches regularly, the patient can help prevent episodes of angina, which is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Nitroglycerin patches are not used to prevent low blood pressure, relieve shortness of breath, or control heart rate during exercise.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rotating the application sites of transdermal nitroglycerin patches is important to prevent skin irritation and tolerance development. By changing the site with each dose, the nurse ensures proper absorption of the medication and reduces the risk of skin reactions. It is not recommended to always apply the patch to the same site, as this can lead to localized skin irritation. It is also important to avoid using areas with a lot of hair or bony prominences, as well as to avoid areas with scars or skin folds. Rotation of application sites helps maintain the effectiveness of the nitroglycerin patch therapy.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Muscle weakness is an early sign of hypokalemia. Potassium plays a crucial role in maintaining proper muscle function, so low potassium levels can lead to muscle weakness and fatigue. As potassium is essential for nerve impulses and muscle contractions, a decrease in potassium can impair muscle strength and function. Therefore, when monitoring a patient for signs of hypokalemia, the nurse should look for muscle weakness as an early indicator. Seizures, cardiac dysrhythmias, and diarrhea are potential complications that can occur if hypokalemia is severe and left untreated.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Metformin is a commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. One of the main actions of Metformin is to decrease hepatic glucose production by suppressing gluconeogenesis in the liver. By reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver, Metformin helps lower blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes. This action helps improve insulin sensitivity and overall glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. The other options provided in the question do not describe the primary mechanism of action of Metformin.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct definition for absorption of a drug is the movement of a drug from the site of administration (e.g., mouth, skin, injection site) into the bloodstream and then to various tissues of the body. This process is a critical step in the pharmacokinetics of a drug, as it determines the rate and extent to which the drug reaches its target site of action. Absorption can be affected by various factors such as the route of administration, drug formulation, and physiological factors of the individual.