Author Question: A postoperative patient is undergoing antibiotic therapy. She has never had any problems taking ... (Read 55 times)

imowrer · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A postoperative patient is undergoing antibiotic therapy. She has never had any problems taking medications in the past.

When the nurse hung the second dose of IV antibiotics, the patient suddenly developed shortness of breath and had difficulty breathing. The nurse recognized this was most likely a(n): a. idiosyncratic reaction.
b. toxic effect.
c. side effect.
d. anaphylactic reaction.

Question 2

A patient has just undergone an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The patient is pulling at the Foley catheter, nasogastric tube, central line, and abdominal dressing and a wrist restraint is applied after an order is received.

Later, the patient reports tingling and numbness in the fingers and hand. Which actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.) a. Remove the restraint immediately.
b. Remind the patient this will decrease with time.
c. Notify the health care provider.
d. Medicate the patient for pain.
e. Stay with the patient.

matt95 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

D
Sudden constriction of bronchiolar muscles, edema of the pharynx and larynx, and severe wheezing and shortness of breath characterize severe or anaphylactic reactions. In anaphylaxis a patient becomes severely hypotensive, necessitating emergency resuscitation measures. Some medications cause unpredictable effects, such as idiosyncratic reactions, in which a patient overreacts or underreacts to a medication or has a reaction different from what is expected. Toxic effects are capable of causing injury or death. They often develop after prolonged intake of a medication or when a medication accumulates in the blood because of impaired metabolism or excretion. A side effect is a predictable and often unavoidable adverse effect produced at a usual therapeutic dose.

Answer to Question 2

A, C, E
If a patient has altered neurovascular status (tingling and numbness) remove the restraint immediately, stay with the patient, and notify the health care provider. Tingling and numbness will not decrease with time; it will continue to cause damage. The patient does not need pain medication; the restraint is too tight and needs to be removed.