Which food supplement should the nurse be concerned about in a client taking an ACE inhibitor?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Potassium chloride. ACE inhibitors can cause potassium levels to increase, leading to hyperkalemia. Potassium chloride is a potassium supplement that can further elevate potassium levels, potentially causing adverse effects. Sodium chloride (A) does not directly impact potassium levels. Cayenne pepper (C) and ground black pepper (D) are not known to interact significantly with ACE inhibitors. Hence, the nurse should be concerned about the client taking potassium chloride while on an ACE inhibitor to avoid complications related to hyperkalemia.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Plavix. Plavix is an ADP receptor blocker that inhibits platelet aggregation, reducing the risk of blood clot formation and preventing ischemic stroke. Aspirin (A) is an antiplatelet agent but works through a different mechanism. Heparin (B) is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting thrombin and factor Xa, not through ADP receptor blocking. Warfarin (C) is a vitamin K antagonist that interferes with the synthesis of clotting factors, also not through ADP receptor blocking.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Facial flushing. Niacin commonly causes facial flushing as an adverse reaction due to prostaglandin release. This is a well-known side effect and is usually harmless. Dizziness (A), urinary retention (B), and constipation (C) are not common adverse reactions associated with niacin use. It is important for the nurse to educate the client about the potential for facial flushing with niacin therapy to manage expectations and ensure compliance.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: The sympathetic nervous system. When the client experiences a sudden increase in heart rate and cardiac contractility, it indicates the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, increasing heart rate and contractility to prepare the body for action. The parasympathetic nervous system (choice A) would have the opposite effect of slowing down the heart rate. The AV node (choice B) is a part of the heart's electrical system and is not directly responsible for increasing heart rate. The baroreceptors in the carotid sinus (choice C) help regulate blood pressure, not heart rate or contractility.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because in atrial fibrillation, the chaotic and irregular electrical activity in the atria results in the absence of distinct P waves on the ECG. This is due to the disorganized depolarization of the atria, leading to the absence of a clear, identifiable P wave. Therefore, the nurse can accurately state that the P wave is absent in the ECG of a client with atrial fibrillation. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect: A: It precedes a long PR interval - This statement is not accurate for atrial fibrillation as the irregular electrical activity disrupts the normal conduction pathway, leading to variable PR intervals. B: It falls on the previous T wave - This scenario would indicate an abnormality in the ECG, but it does not specifically relate to atrial fibrillation. D: It is peaked - While peaked P waves can indicate certain conditions like right atrial enlargement, this is not a characteristic finding in atr