While on pentamidine (Pentam) infusion therapy. The nurse must anticipate doing which of the following?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Pentamidine (Pentam) is a medication used for the treatment and prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in immunocompromised patients, such as those with HIV/AIDS. A known side effect of pentamidine therapy is ocular toxicity, including retinal damage. The nurse must closely monitor the client for signs and symptoms of retinal toxicity, such as changes in vision, eye pain, or sensitivity to light. Regular ophthalmologic evaluations may also be necessary to detect any ocular complications early and prevent permanent damage. Hence, observing for signs of retinal damage is crucial while the client is on pentamidine infusion therapy.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic medication commonly used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and edema (fluid retention). It works by increasing the amount of water and salt that the kidneys remove from the blood, leading to decreased blood volume and lower blood pressure. Diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide are not used to treat inflammation, arrhythmias, or fungal infections, making option C the correct classification for this medication.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic commonly used to treat conditions involving edema such as heart failure, liver disease, and kidney disorders. By promoting diuresis (increased urine production), furosemide helps the body eliminate excess fluid, leading to a decrease in edema or swelling. Therefore, a patient given furosemide for diuresis should experience a decrease in edema as the drug acts on the kidneys to increase urine output and eliminate extra fluids from the body.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Sodium bisulfite is commonly added to local anesthetic solutions as a vasoconstrictor. Vasoconstrictors work by constricting blood vessels at the site of injection. This helps to reduce blood flow to the area, which in turn decreases bleeding, prolongs the anesthetic effect, and reduces the risk of systemic toxicity by slowing the absorption of the anesthetic into the bloodstream. Sodium bisulfite specifically acts as a vasoconstrictor in local anesthetics to enhance the overall effectiveness of the numbing agent.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Superinfections are secondary infections that occur as a result of disrupting the normal balance of microorganisms in the body, often due to prolonged or broad-spectrum antibiotic use. They can involve the emergence of resistant strains or the overgrowth of opportunistic pathogens. Therefore, superinfections are more likely to occur with prolonged antibiotic use or broad-spectrum antibiotics that disrupt the normal flora of the body. It is less common for superinfections to occur with narrow spectrum antibiotics, as they target a more limited range of bacteria and are less likely to disrupt the overall microbial balance in the body.