Practice Exam Flashcards

A client develops tremors while withdrawing from alcohol. Which medication is routinely administered to lessen physiological effects of alcohol withdrawal?

Answer: Klonopin (clonazepam)

Benzodiazepines like clonazepam (Klonopin) are the first-line treatment for acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including tremors, anxiety, and seizures. They work by enhancing the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which helps to calm the overactive central nervous system caused by alcohol cessation. This helps to prevent severe withdrawal complications and stabilize the client.

A client with Type II diabetes has an order for regular insulin 10 units SC each morning. The client’s breakfast should be served within:

Answer: 30 minutes

Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin that typically begins to lower blood glucose within 30 to 60 minutes after subcutaneous injection. To prevent hypoglycemia, it is crucial for the client to eat a meal within 30 minutes of administration. This timing ensures that food is available to counteract the insulin's peak action and manage post-meal glucose levels effectively.

A 10-year-old has an order for Demerol (meperidine) 35 mg IM for pain. The medication is available as Demerol 50mg per ml. How much should the nurse administer?

Answer: 0.7mL

To calculate the correct dosage, use the formula: (Desired Dose / Available Dose) x Volume. In this case, (35 mg / 50 mg) x 1 mL = 0.7 mL. Administering 0.7 mL ensures the client receives the prescribed 35 mg of Demerol.

Which antibiotic is contraindicated for the treatment of infections in infants and young children?

Answer: Tetracyn (tetracycline)

Tetracycline antibiotics are contraindicated in children under 8 years old because they can cause permanent discoloration of developing teeth, leading to a yellow-gray-brown staining. They can also inhibit bone growth. This adverse effect is due to tetracycline's ability to chelate calcium in calcifying tissues.

The chart of a client with schizophrenia states that the client has echolalia. The nurse can expect the client to:

Answer: Repeat words or phrases used by others

Echolalia is a common symptom in schizophrenia and other neurological disorders, characterized by the involuntary and senseless repetition of words or phrases spoken by another person. The client mimics speech without understanding or intent, reflecting a disturbance in thought and communication. It is distinct from rhyming, irrelevant details, or neologisms.

Which early morning activity helps to reduce the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer: Drinking a cup of coffee

While coffee does not directly treat rheumatoid arthritis, the warmth from a hot beverage can provide temporary relief from morning stiffness and pain, which are common symptoms. Additionally, the caffeine in coffee may offer a mild analgesic effect and help with the fatigue often associated with RA, making it a comforting early morning routine.

A newborn weighed 7 pounds at birth. At 6 months of age, the infant could be expected to weigh:

Answer: 14 pounds

A general guideline for infant growth is that birth weight typically doubles by 5-6 months of age. Therefore, an infant weighing 7 pounds at birth would be expected to weigh approximately 14 pounds by 6 months. This indicates healthy growth and development during early infancy.

A client with nontropical sprue has an exacerbation of symptoms. Which meal selection is responsible for the recurrence of the client’s symptoms?

Answer: Cream of tomato soup and crackers

Nontropical sprue is another name for celiac disease, which requires a strict gluten-free diet. Standard crackers are typically made from wheat flour, which contains gluten. Ingesting gluten would cause an exacerbation of symptoms in a client with celiac disease, making this meal selection inappropriate.

A client with congestive heart failure has been receiving Digoxin (lanoxin). Which finding indicates that the medication is having a desired effect?

Answer: Increased urinary output

Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that improves the contractility of the heart muscle and slows the heart rate, leading to increased cardiac output. This enhanced pumping efficiency improves renal perfusion, resulting in increased urinary output and a reduction in fluid retention and edema, which are common in congestive heart failure. Therefore, increased urinary output indicates a desired therapeutic effect.