Care Hope College RN HESI Pharmacology

Extract:

Question 1 of 5

A client taking atorvastatin has an increased serum creatine phosphokinase (CK) level. What should the nurse assess the client for?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Elevated CK with atorvastatin indicates possible myopathy, causing muscle tenderness (
C). Bruising (
A) is unrelated to CK. Edema (
B) suggests other causes. Nausea/vomiting (
D) are gastrointestinal side effects, not linked to CK.

Question 2 of 5

A client is receiving intravenous vancomycin, and the nurse plans to draw blood for a peak and trough to determine the serum level of the drug. Which collection times would provide the best determination of these levels?

A. One hour after completion of the IV dose and one hour before the next administration of the medication. B. Two hours after completion of the IV dose and two hours before the next administration of the medication. C. Thirty minutes into the administration of the IV dose and 30 minutes before the next administration of the medication. D. Immediately after completion of the IV dose and 30 minutes before the next administration of the medication.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Vancomycin peak levels are drawn 1 hour post-infusion, and trough levels 1 hour pre-dose (
A) for accurate therapeutic monitoring. Two-hour intervals (
B) miss peak/trough. Mid-infusion (
C) is too early for peak. Immediate post-dose (
D) underestimates peak.

Question 3 of 5

After taking orlistat for one week, a female patient tells the home health nurse that she is experiencing increasingly frequent oily stools and gas. What action should the nurse take?

A. Ask the patient to describe her dietary intake history for the last several days. B. Advise the patient to stop taking the drug and contact her healthcare provider. C. Instruct the patient to increase her intake of saturated fats over the next week. D. Obtain a stool specimen to evaluate for occult blood and fat content.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Orlistat inhibits fat absorption, causing oily stools and gas if dietary fat is high. Assessing dietary intake (
A) identifies the cause. Stopping the drug (
B) is premature. Increasing fats (
C) worsens symptoms. Stool testing (
D) is unnecessary for known side effects.

Question 4 of 5

The nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of labetalol orally to a client with hypertension. The client’s vital signs are temperature 99° F (37.2 C), heart rate 48 beats/minute, respirations 16 breaths/minute, and blood pressure (BP) 150/90 mm Hg. What action should the nurse take?

A. Withhold the scheduled dose and notify the healthcare provider. B. Administer the dose and monitor the client’s BP regularly. C. Assess for orthostatic hypotension before administering the dose. D. Apply a telemetry monitor before administering the dose.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Labetalol, a beta-blocker, can worsen bradycardia (heart rate 48 bpm). Withholding the dose and notifying the provider (
A) is safest. Administering (
B) risks exacerbating bradycardia. Orthostatic hypotension assessment (
C) and telemetry (
D) are secondary.

Question 5 of 5

A client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been prescribed a new ipratropium inhaler. Which action indicates to the nurse that additional teaching is needed?

A. The client primes the inhaler with 7 pumps. B. The client stores the medication at room temperature. C. The client rinses their mouth after each use. D. The client attaches a spacer device to the inhaler.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Ipratropium inhalers require 2-3 priming sprays for new devices, not 7 (
A), indicating a need for teaching. Room temperature storage (
B), mouth rinsing (
C), and spacer use (
D) are correct.

Care Hope College RN HESI Pharmacology | Nurselytic

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HESI RN

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