A nurse assesses a client who is prescribed a medication that ...

[Kikoku]

A nurse assesses a client who is prescribed a medication that stimulates beta1 receptors. Which assessment finding should alert the nurse to urgently contact the health care provider?
 
  a. Heart rate of 50 beats/min
  b. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
  c. Oxygenation saturation of 92
  d. Blood pressure of 144/69 mm Hg

Question 2

A nurse cares for a client with excessive production of thyrocalcitonin (calcitonin). For which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse assess?
 
  a. Potassium
  b. Sodium
  c. Calcium
  d. Magnesium

[jonathanballen97]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Stimulation of beta1 receptor sites in the heart has positive chronotropic and inotropic actions. The nurse expects an increase in heart rate and increased cardiac output. The client with a heart rate of 50 beats/min would be cause for concern because this would indicate that the client was not responding to the medication. The other vital signs are within normal limits and do not indicate a negative response to the medication.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Parafollicular cells produce thyrocalcitonin (calcitonin), which regulates serum calcium levels. Calcitonin has no impact on potassium, sodium, or magnesium balances.