A 38-year-old female patient states that she is using topical ...

[james]

A 38-year-old female patient states that she is using topical fluorouracil to treat actinic keratoses on her face. Which additional assessment information will be most important for the nurse to obtain?
 
  a. History of sun exposure by the patient
  b. Method of birth control used by the patient
  c. Length of time the patient has used fluorouracil
  d. Appearance of the treated areas on the patient's face

Question 2

The nurse is working in an urgent care clinic that has standardized treatment protocols for implementation by nursing staff.
 
  After reviewing the history, physical assessment, and vital signs for a 60-year-old patient as shown in the accompanying figure, which action should the nurse take first?
 
  a. Check the patient's blood glucose level.
  b. Take the blood pressure on the left arm.
  c. Use an irrigating syringe to clean the ear canals.
  d. Report the vision change to the health care provider.

[xiaomengxian]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Because fluorouracil is teratogenic, it is essential that the patient use a reliable method of birth control. The other information is also important for the nurse to obtain, but lack of reliable birth control has the most potential for serious adverse medication effects.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The sudden change in peripheral vision may indicate an acute problem, such as retinal detachment, that should be treated quickly to preserve vision. The other data about the patient are not indicative of any acute problem. The other actions are also appropriate, but the highest priority for this patient is prevention of blindness.

[james]

Correct answers!

[xiaomengxian]

Great! Please up vote