Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Initiating a fall risk protocol. This is important because Thiazide diuretics can lead to electrolyte imbalances, particularly low sodium and potassium levels, which can increase the risk of falls in elderly patients. Initiating a fall risk protocol involves assessing the patient's risk factors for falls, implementing appropriate safety measures, and monitoring the patient closely to prevent falls. Providing a low potassium diet (choice
A) is not necessary as Thiazide diuretics can actually lead to low potassium levels. Encouraging increased fluid intake (choice
B) is important but not specific to the potential side effects of Thiazide diuretics. Increasing exercise and activity (choice
D) is beneficial for overall health but not directly related to the side effects of Thiazide diuretics in this scenario.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pharmacotherapeutics. Pharmacotherapeutics focuses on the use of drugs to treat diseases or alleviate symptoms. In this scenario, the nurses are administering medications with the intention of treating or preventing specific conditions: iodine for imaging in radiology, chemotherapy for cancer treatment, and the MMR vaccine for immunization. Pharmacodynamics (
A) deals with the effects of drugs on the body, not the therapeutic use. Pharmacoeconomics (
C) involves the cost-effectiveness of drug therapy, not the administration of drugs. Pharmacokinetics (
D) focuses on drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, not the therapeutic purpose of drug administration.
Therefore, Pharmacotherapeutics is the best branch of pharmacology to describe the actions of the nurses in this scenario.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Blocks the chloride pump. Thiazide diuretics inhibit the sodium-chloride symporter in the distal convoluted tubule of the nephron, leading to increased excretion of sodium and chloride ions, resulting in diuresis.
Choice A is incorrect as thiazides do not block the sodium pump.
Choice C is incorrect as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, not thiazides, block the carbonic anhydrase enzyme.
Choice D is incorrect as thiazides do not block the potassium pump.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Guaifenesin. Guaifenesin is an expectorant that works by increasing respiratory tract fluid output, reducing adhesiveness and surface tension of the mucus. This helps in loosening and thinning the mucus, making it easier to clear from the airways. Dextromethorphan (
B) is a cough suppressant, not an expectorant. Acetylcysteine (
C) is a mucolytic that reduces mucus thickness but does not directly enhance fluid output. Flunisolide (
D) is a corticosteroid used for inflammation, not mucus clearance.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Sympathetic stimulation of the respiratory system causes an increase in respiratory rate to enhance oxygen intake during fight or flight response. This is due to activation of sympathetic nerves that stimulate the respiratory muscles and increase the rate of breathing.
Choice A is incorrect as sympathetic stimulation typically increases, not decreases, the depth of respirations.
Choice B is incorrect because sympathetic stimulation does not directly affect lung perfusion.
Choice D is incorrect because sympathetic stimulation generally increases, rather than decreases, the respiratory rate.