Enalapril maleate is prescribed for a hospitalized client. Which assessment does
the nurse perform as a priority before administering the medication? Correct
Answer: Checking the client's blood pressure
Rationale:
...
Enalapril maleate is prescribed for a hospitalized client. Which assessment does
the nurse perform as a priority before administering the medication? Correct
Answer: Checking the client's blood pressure
Rationale: Enalapril maleate is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
used to treat hypertension. One common side effect is postural hypotension.
Therefore the nurse would check the client's blood pressure immediately before
administering each dose. Checking the client's peripheral pulses, the results of the
most recent potassium level, and the intake and output for the previous 24 hours
are not specifically associated with this mediation.
A client is scheduled to undergo an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series, and the nurse
provides instructions to the client about the test. Which statement by the client
indicates a need for further instruction? Correct Answer: "I need to drink citrate of
magnesia the night before the test and give myself a Fleet enema on the morning of
the test."
Rationale: An upper GI series involves visualization of the esophagus, duodenum,
and upper jejunum by means of the use of a contrast medium. It involves
swallowing a contrast medium (usually barium), which is administered in a
flavored milkshake. Films are taken at intervals during the test, which takes about
30 minutes. No special preparation is necessary before a GI series, except that
NPO status must be maintained for 8 hours before the test. After an upper GI
series, the client is prescribed a laxative to hasten elimination of the barium.
Barium that remains in the colon may become hard and difficult to expel, leading
to fecal impaction.
A nurse on the evening shift checks a health care provider's prescriptions and notes
that the dose of a prescribed medication is higher than the normal dose. The nurse
calls the health care provider's answering service and is told that the health care
provider is off for the night and will be available in the morning. The nurse should:
Correct Answer: Ask the answering service to contact the on-call health care
provider
Rationale: The nurse has a duty to protect the client from harm. A nurse who
believes that a health care provider's prescription may be in error is responsible for
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