Author Question: A patient has been taking senna Senokot for several days, and the nurse notes that the urine is ... (Read 39 times)

mspears3 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient has been taking senna Senokot for several days, and the nurse notes that the urine is yellowish-brown. What does the nurse know about this symptom?

a. It indicates that renal failure has occurred.
b. It is caused by dehydration, which is a laxative side effect.
c. It is a sign of toxicity, indicating imme-diate withdrawal of the drug.
d. It is an expected, harmless effect of senna.

Question 2

A patient with congestive heart failure is admitted to the hospital. During the admission assessment, the nurse learns that the patient is taking a thiazide diuretic.

The nurse notes that the admission electrolyte levels include a sodium level of 142 mEq/L, a chloride level of 95 mEq/L, and a potassium level of 3 mEq/L. The prescriber has ordered digoxin to be given immediately. What will the nurse do initially? a. Give the digoxin and maintain close car-diac monitoring.
b. Hold the digoxin and report the laboratory values to the provider.
c. Hold the thiazide diuretic and give the digoxin.
d. Request an order for an electrocardiogram (ECG).

voltaire123 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

D
Systemic absorption of senna, followed by renal excretion, may impart a harmless yello-wish-brown or pink color to the urine. This symptom is not an indication of renal failure, dehy-dration, or toxicity.

Answer to Question 2

B
Potassium depletion is common with thiazide diuretics, and hypokalemia is especially dangerous for patients receiving digoxin, because the drug can precipitate a fatal dysrhythmia and digoxin toxicity. The provider should be notified of the serum potassium level so that it can be corrected before the digoxin is administered. Giving the digoxin could produce a fatal adverse effect, so this is not an appropriate course of action. Holding the thiazide diuretic will not correct the po-tassium deficiency. An ECG is not the initial priority.