Author Question: The nurse is caring for several patients and prepares to administer morning medications. Which ... (Read 41 times)

MirandaLo · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is caring for several patients and prepares to administer morning medications. Which high-risk patient should the nurse monitor most carefully after the drugs are administered?

a. The pediatric patient admitted with a broken arm
b. The active elderly patient admitted with a right hip fracture
c. The young adult patient with a history of kidney disease
d. The 26-year-old female admitted with asthma

Question 2

The charge nurse has just received report from another nurse, who is ill and going home. The nurse gave medications to his patients about 40 minutes ago.

The charge nurse is prioritizing which patient should be seen first based on the nurse's report. Which patient should the charge nurse assess first?
a. A patient with multiple allergies, just started on a new medication with complaints of pruritus
b. A patient with a history of migraines and complaints of a mild headache
c. A postoperative patient who had a total knee replacement (TKR) with complaints of leg pain rated as a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the greatest amount of pain
d. A patient on anticonvulsant therapy who is complaining of lethargy

Liamb2179 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The young adult with kidney disease is at highest risk due to the potential for toxicity of the medication as a result of urinary excretion problems.
The pediatric patient has no other physiologic indications that would affect administered medications.
The active elderly patient displays no other physiologic complications at this time that might affect administered medications.
The 26-year-old female has no other physiological indications that would affect administered medications.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
A patient with multiple allergies who complains of pruritus after beginning a new medication has the greatest chance of an allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis.
A mild headache would not be a priority in someone who has a history of migraines.
A rating of leg pain of 4 out of 10 would not be a priority for a postoperative patient.
Lethargy is an expected side effect in a patient taking anticonvulsants, which depress central nervous system activity; this, therefore, is not a priority.