The nurse is caring for a patient being treated pharmacologically ...

[tichca]

The nurse is caring for a patient being treated pharmacologically for heart failure. Which laboratory values is the nurse careful to monitor during treatment?
 
  1. Potassium levels
  2. BUN
  3. Creatinine
  4. Liver function tests
  5. Serum drug levels

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who is being treated pharmacologically for the symptoms of heart failure. What would be included in the nurse's role of pharmacologic management of this patient?
 
  1. Teaching the patient how to space medications to decrease adverse effects
  2. Teaching the patient the long-term benefits of beta blockers
  3. Continually monitoring the patient during IV infusions
  4. Decreasing medication dosages when the patient complains of adverse effects
  5. Changing a medication that is no longer working to decrease the patient's symptoms

[okolip]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1,2,3,5
Rationale 1: It is important to monitor electrolyte levels, especially potassium, when a patient is being treated pharmacologically for heart failure.
Rationale 2: It is important to monitor renal function while a patient is being treated pharmacologically for heart failure.
Rationale 3: It is important to monitor renal function while a patient is being treated pharmacologically for heart failure.
Rationale 4: It is not necessary to monitor liver function while a patient is being treated pharmacologically for heart failure.
Rationale 5: It is important to monitor serum drug levels while a patient is being treated pharmacologically for heart failure.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1,2,3
Rationale 1: One role of the nurse is patient teaching. The nurse should teach the patient how to space medications to decrease the hypotensive effects that can occur during treatment for heart failure.
Rationale 2: Beta blockers can have many adverse effects that can affect adherence. The nurse should teach the patient the long-term benefits in order to increase medication adherence.
Rationale 3: Patients who are receiving medications used to treat heart failure by IV require continual monitoring by the nurse.
Rationale 4: The nurse cannot change a dose of a medication without a health care provider's order. This is outside the nurse's scope of practice.
Rationale 5: The nurse cannot prescribe medications; it is outside the nurse's scope of practice to change a medication with a health care provider's order.

[tichca]

Thank you!

[okolip]

Always glad to help...