Following a thymectomy, a 62-year-old male patient with ...

[dmcintosh]

Following a thymectomy, a 62-year-old male patient with myasthenia gravis receives the usual dose of pyridostigmine (Mestinon). An hour later, the patient complains of nausea and severe abdominal cramps. Which action should the nurse take first?
 
  a. Auscultate the patient's bowel sounds.
  b. Notify the patient's health care provider.
  c. Administer the prescribed PRN antiemetic drug.
  d. Give the scheduled dose of prednisone (Deltasone).

Question 2

Which nursing diagnosis is of highest priority for a patient with Parkinson's disease who is unable to move the facial muscles?
 
  a. Activity intolerance
  b. Self-care deficit: toileting
  c. Ineffective self-health management
  d. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements

[pangili4]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
The patient's history and symptoms indicate a possible cholinergic crisis. The health care provider should be notified immediately, and it is likely that atropine will be prescribed. The other actions will be appropriate if the patient is not experiencing a cholinergic crisis.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The data about the patient indicate that poor nutrition will be a concern because of decreased swallowing. The other diagnoses may also be appropriate for a patient with Parkinson's disease, but the data do not indicate that they are current problems for this patient.

[dmcintosh]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[marict]

Excellent