Medication Categories Concepts
Antihypertensives Perfusion
NCLEX Client Need Categories Percentage of Items from Each
Category/Subcategory
Covered in
Case Study
Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Management of
...
Medication Categories Concepts
Antihypertensives Perfusion
NCLEX Client Need Categories Percentage of Items from Each
Category/Subcategory
Covered in
Case Study
Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Management of Care 17-23% ✓
• Safety and Infection Control 9-15%
Health Promotion and Maintenance 6-12% ✓
Psychosocial Integrity 6-12%
Physiological Integrity
• Basic Care and Comfort 6-12%
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 12-18% ✓
• Reduction of Risk Potential 9-15% ✓
• Physiological Adaptation 11-17% ✓
I. Initial Presentation:
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Susan Jones, 42-year-old female
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Susan Jones is a 42-year-old African-American female with a past medical history of diabetes mellitus type II.
She works in a manufacturing plant in her hometown. While at work, she feels faint and has to sit down. The
occupational nurse is contacted to assess her.
Susan Jones is married and a mother of two elementary age children. She has been employed in her current
position for two years.
1. What data from the present problem are RELEVANT and must be NOTICED as clinically significant by the
nurse? (NCSBN: Step 1 Recognize cues/NCLEX Reduction of Risk Potential)
RELEVANT Data from Present Problem: Clinical Significance:
Client has dx of diabetes mellitus type 2
At work client feels faint, dizzy, and has to sit
down
This dx typically comes with many complications, perhaps
hypoglycemia could be contributing to her reason for admission
This client could be dehydrated, maybe she is not getting enough
O2, or could be related to her diabetes. Need to assess the client
further investigation of CV system indicated.
As the nurse responsible for this patient, you promptly review the medical history
and note that she has NKDA. This is her PMH and current home medications
documented in the employee’s medical record:
1. What is the RELATIONSHIP of the past medical history and current medications? Why is your patient
receiving these medications? (Which medication treats which condition? Draw lines to connect)
Medical History (PMH): Home Medications:
Hypertension
GERD
Type II diabetes mellitus
ASA 81 mg PO daily
Lisinopril 40 mg PO daily
HCTZ 25 mg PO am
Metformin 875 mg PO BID
Omeprazole 20 mg PO daily
Applying your knowledge of pharmacology, to provide safe patient care,
answer the following essential information:
2. List each home medication from the scenario and answer the following: (NCLEX Pharmacologic and Parenteral
Therapies)
Home
Medication:
Pharm. Class: Indication(s): Mechanism
of Action In
OWN
WORDS:
Body
System
Impacted
Common
Side Effects
Nursing
Assessments:
ASA 81mg NSAID
Antipyretic
Salicylate
Anticoagulant/Blood
Thinner
Decreases the
chance of occlusion
in blood vessels by
platelet aggregation
CV Bleeding,
hemmorage,
nausea,
bruising
Watch for
hypersensitivity
reactions.
Assess for
salicylate
Lisinopril
40 mg ACE inhibitor
HTN Renal Hypotension,
dizziness
Monitor BP
frequently, I&O,
weights, elytes.
Test pt for
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pregnancy.
HCTZ 25
mg
Thiazide diuretic
HTN A loop diuretic that
increases the output
of urine
CV,
Renal
Electrlyte
imbalance,
dehydration
Monitor BP
frequently, I&O,
weights, elytes
Metformin
875 mg Biguniade
Antihyperglycemic
agent
Diabetes and
Prediabetes
Inhibits glucose
production and
release from the
liver
Endocrine
N/V/D – GI
upset
Monitor
glucose, HbA1C,
metabolics
Omeprazole
20 mg
Anti ulcer agent
Proton pump
inhibitor
Tx GERD or acid
reflux
Binds to gastric
enzymes preventing
reflux of HCL and
diminished
accumulation
GI Tract GI
upset/mild
discomfot
Assess for
stomach pain,
bleeding, or
other
complications.
Advise pt not to
over-take as
could lead to
alkalosis
3. Based on this patient’s home medication list, does the nurse need to address the clinical concern of
polypharmacy with the primary care provider?
No, due to the patients current dx the medications are appropriate.
4. Based on this patient’s home medication list, are there any concerning medication interactions that the
nurse needs to communicate to the primary care provider?
No, I don’t see a need to contact provider
II. Present Problem:
Susan had an exercise stress test six months ago and was evaluated by a cardiologist. She was referred by her primary
care provider due to risk factors of stress, obesity, hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus and a positive family history
of coronary artery disease. Susan had a negative exercise stress test, but was frightened by the experience. In the past six
months, she has stopped smoking, began exercising and lost 20 pounds. She has eliminated many processed foods in her
diet and has adopted a "clean eating" approach.
1. What data from the present problem are RELEVANT and must be NOTICED as clinically significant by
the nurse? (NCSBN: Step 1 Recognize cues/NCLEX Reduction of Risk Potential)
RELEVANT Data from Present Problem: Clinical Significance:
Taking multiple antihypertensives
Taking metformin
Obese but losing weight – 20 lbs
Could lower BP to dangerous levels, put pt at risk for falls
Pt is diabetic increasing need for individualized treatment
D/t pts obesity status losing weight is healthy and can help
improve patients quality of life and help symptoms of other
complications
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Stress Test
Taking multiple diuretics
Negative – CV not a big worry at this point
Would want to monitor kidney fxn regularly as well as electrolyte
levels for imbalances
Recognizing a potential problem, you collect a full set of vital
signs and complete a nursing assessment:
Current VS: P-Q-R-S-T Pain Assessment:
T: 98.4 F/36.9 C (o) Provoking/Palliative: Reports no pain at this time
P: 90 (reg) Quality:
R: 15 (reg) Region/Radiation:
BP: 100/70 Severity:
O2 sat: 99% room air Timing:
Blood Glucose finger stick: 101
2. What VS data are RELEVANT and must be interpreted as clinically significant by the nurse?
(NCSBN: Step 1 Recognize cues/NCLEX Reduction of Risk Potential)
RELEVANT VS Data: Clinical Significance:
Pulse – 90
BP – 100/70
Blood Glucose - 101
WNL but on the higher side – would want to watch
Low BP could indicate the need for medication change – too low BP put pt at risk for falls
Normal blood glucose shows pts symptoms are likely not due to hypoglycemia
Current Assessment:
GENERAL SURVEY: Pleasant, in no acute distress, calm, body relaxed, no grimacing, sitting in chair
NEUROLOGICAL: Alert & oriented to person, place, time, and situation (x4); muscle strength 5/5 in both
upper and lower extremities bilaterally.
HEENT: Head normocephalic with symmetry of all facial features. PERRLA, sclera white
bilaterally, conjunctival sac pink bilaterally. Lips, tongue, and oral mucosa pink and
moist.
RESPIRATORY: Breath sounds clear with equal aeration on inspiration and expiration in all lobes
anteriorly, posteriorly, and laterally, nonlabored respiratory effort on room air.
CARDIAC: Pink, warm, no edema, heart sounds regular, pulses strong, equal with palpation at
radial/pedal/post-tibial landmarks, brisk cap refill. Heart tones audible and regular, S1 and
S2 noted over A-P-T-M cardiac landmarks with no abnormal beats or murmurs. No JVD
noted at 30-45 degrees.
ABDOMEN: Abdomen round, soft, and nontender. BS active in all 4 quadrants
GU: Reports no changes in urinary habits. Urine reported as clear, non-odorous, not painful, no
burning, frequency of urination
INTEGUMENTARY: Skin warm, but diaphoretic, normal color for ethnicity. No clubbing of nails, cap refill <3
seconds. Hair soft-distribution normal for age and gender. Skin integrity intact, skin
turgor elastic, no tenting present.
3. What assessment data is RELEVANT and must be interpreted as clinically significant by the nurse?
(NCSBN: Step 1 Recognize cues/NCLEX Reduction of Risk Potential)
RELEVANT Assessment Data: Clinical Significance:
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Low BP
Elevated Pulse
Diaphoretic
Likely due to the combo of medications
Could be body/heart working harded to pump low blood volume
Cause is unknown perhaps pt is uncomfortable or anxious – warrants
further investigation
4. Interpreting relevant clinical data, identify potential problems. What additional data is needed to identify
the priority problem and nursing priorities? (NCSBN: Step 2 Analyze cues/NCLEX Management of Care/Physiologic
Adaptation)
Likely Problems: Additional Clinical Data Needed:
Syncope r/t hypotensive
status
Medications likely need
adjusting
Patient needs labs, BUN, Creatinine, Electrolytes, GFR, and preganancy test.
Recognizing that a problem is present, us
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