The elderly client has gastrointestinal bleeding. The client says ...

[Themember4]

The elderly client has gastrointestinal bleeding. The client says to the nurse I don't understand this. All I did was take ibuprofen (Advil) for my arthritis. Which plan would be best as it relates to the nurse's education of this client?
 
  1. A plan to teach the client to use drugs that bypass the gastrointestinal system, like topical drugs
  2. A plan to teach the client to substitute safer drugs like acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  3. A plan to teach the client to obtain physician approval prior to the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications
  4. A plan to teach the advantages and disadvantages of ibuprofen (Advil)

Question 2

The student nurse asks the nursing instructor why he needs to take anatomy and physiology, as well as microbiology, when he only wants to learn about pharmacology. What is the best response by the instructor?
 
  1. Because pharmacology is an outgrowth of those subjects.
  2. You must learn all, since those subjects, as well as pharmacology, are part of the curriculum.
  3. Knowledge of all those subjects will prepare you to provide the best patient care, including the administration of medications.
  4. Because an understanding of those subjects is essential to understanding pharmacology.

[jaymee143]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Since elderly clients account for the use of about 40 of all over-the-counter (OTC) medications, it is essential for the nurse to teach clients about the advantages, and the disadvantages, of these medications. Substitution of other drugs may be beneficial, but this cannot be done in all situations. The use of topical drugs may be an option, but the drug a client needs may not be available in this form. It is not a realistic plan to expect clients to contact their physician prior to taking any over-the-counter (OTC) medication.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: It is essential for the nurse to have a broad knowledge base of many sciences in order to learn pharmacology. The nurse must learn anatomy, physiology, and microbiology to understand pharmacology, not because they are part of the curriculum. Pharmacology is an outgrowth of anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, but this is not the reason for the nurse to learn them. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and microbiology prepares the nurse to understand pharmacology, not to provide care such as administration of medications.

[Themember4]

Gracias!

[robbielu01]

Excellent