What primary assessment does the nurse make for a patient who is ...

[APUS57]

What primary assessment does the nurse make for a patient who is prescribed loperamide (Immodium)?
 
  a. Tachycardia
  b. Abdominal distention
  c. Peripheral edema
  d. Respiratory crackles

Question 2

A patient taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for a year has the following blood laboratory test values. Which value does the nurse report to the prescriber immediately?
 
  a. White blood cell count 3500 cells/mm3
  b. Lactate dehydrogenase 990 IU/L
  c. Sodium 132 mEq/L
  d. Hematocrit 32

[okolip]

Answer to Question 1

B
A potential life-threatening adverse effect of anti-motility drugs such a loperamide is toxic me-gacolon which is characterized by a very inflated colon and abdominal distention. After giving an antimotility drug, the nurse must be sure to check the patient's abdomen for distention and report this finding to the prescriber.

Answer to Question 2

B
All of these blood values are abnormal; however, only the lactate dehydrogenase level is very high (four times normal). This value indicates liver impairment. Nearly all antiretroviral drugs can cause liver impairment. This value must be reported immediately so that liver function can be explored and any needed changes in drug therapy made before irreversible liver damage occurs.

[APUS57]

Both answers were spot on, thank you once again

[okolip]

Great! Please up vote