Author Question: A nurse is preparing to administer intramuscular penicillin to a patient who is infected with T. ... (Read 37 times)

lunatika · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A nurse is preparing to administer intramuscular penicillin to a patient who is infected with T. pallidum and notes that the order is for sodium penicillin G. Which action is correct?

a. Administer the drug as prescribed.
b. Contact the provider to discuss adminis-tering the drug intravenously.
c. Contact the provider to discuss changing the drug to benzathine penicillin G.
d. Request an order for piperacillin instead of penicillin G.

Question 2

A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin Lanoxin to a patient. The patient's heart rate is 62 beats per minute, and the blood pressure is 120/60 mm Hg. The last serum electrolyte value showed a potassium level of 5.2 mEq/L.

What will the nurse do? a. Contact the provider to request an in-creased dose of digoxin.
b. Give the dose of digoxin and notify the provider of the potassium level.
c. Request an order for a diuretic.
d. Withhold the dose and notify the provider of the heart rate.

Hikerman221 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
The procaine and benzathine penicillin salts are absorbed slowly and are considered repository preparations. When benzathine penicillin G is injected IM, penicillin G is absorbed for weeks and is useful only against highly sensitive organisms such as T. pallidum. Sodium penicillin G is absorbed rapidly, with peak effects in 15 minutes. Administering the drug IV will not yield repo-sitory effects. Piperacillin is not used for T. pallidum IC.

Answer to Question 2

B
The patient's serum potassium level is above normal limits, but only slightly. An elevated potas-sium level can reduce the effects of digoxin, so there is no risk of toxicity. There is no indication that an increased dose of digoxin is needed. There is no indication for a diuretic. The heart rate is acceptable; doses should be withheld if the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute.