A patient developed hives and itching after receiving a drug for ...

[Jkov05]

A patient developed hives and itching after receiving a drug for the first time. Which instruction by the nurse is accurate?
 
  a. Stop the medication and encourage the patient to wear a medical alert bracelet that explains the allergy.
  b. Explain to the patient that these are signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction.
  c. Emphasize to the patient the importance to inform medical personnel that in the future a lower dosage of this drug is necessary.
  d. Instruct the patient that it would be safe to take the drug again because this instance was a mild reaction.

Question 2

What will the nurse need to determine first in order to mix two drugs in the same syringe?
 
  a. Absorption rate of the drugs
  b. Compatibility of the drugs
  c. Drug blood level of each drug
  d. Medication adverse effects

[flexer1n1]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
This initial allergic reaction is mild, and the patient is more likely to have an anaphylactic reaction at the next exposure; a medical alert bracelet is necessary to explain the reaction. Signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction are respiratory distress and cardiovascular collapse. A more severe reaction will occur at the next exposure, and the patient should not receive the drug again.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Knowledge of absorption is important but not in order to mix drugs. In order to mix two drugs, compatibility is determined so there is no deterioration when the drugs are mixed in the same syringe. Drug level does not indicate if it is acceptable to mix medications in the same syringe. Adverse effects are important for the nurse to know, but not in order to mix drugs.

[Jkov05]

Excellent

[kusterl]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it