and Rationale
1) A nurse is assessing a client who is taking levothyroxine. The nurse should recognize that
which of the following findings is a manifestation of levothyroxine overdose?
a) Insomnia
i) Rationale: Levothyroxine overdose will result in manifestations of
hyperthyroidism, which include Insomnia, tachycardia, and hyperthermia.
b) Constipation
i) Rationale: Constipation is a manifestation of hypothyroidism and indicates an
inadequate dose of levothyroxine.
c) Drowsiness
i) Rationale: Drowsiness is a manifestation of hypothyroidism and indicates an
inadequate dose of levothyroxine.
d) Hypoactive deep-tendon reflexes
i) Rationale: Hypoactive deep-tendon reflexes are manifestations of hypothyroidism
and indicate an inadequate dose of levothyroxine.
2) A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has been on levothyroxine for several
months. Which of the following findings indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
a) Decrease in level of thyroxine (T4)
i) Rationale: If the dose of this medication has been adequate, the nurse should see an increase
in the T4.
b) Increase in weight
i) Rationale: If the dose of this medication has been adequate, the nurse should see a
decrease in weight, as hypothyroidism causes a decrease in metabolism with weight gain.
c) Increase in hr of sleep per night
i) Rationale: If the dose of this medication has been adequate, the nurse should see a
decrease in the hr of sleep per night, as hypothyroidism causes sluggishness with
increased hr of sleep.
d) Decrease in level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
i) Rationale: In hypothyroidism, the nonfunctioning thyroid gland is unable to respond to
the TSH, and no endogenous thyroid hormones are released. This results in an elevation
of the TSH level as the anterior pituitary continues to release the TSH to stimulate the
thyroid gland. Administration of exogenous thyroid hormones, such as levothyroxine,
turns off this feedback loop, which results in a decreased level of TSH.
3) A nurse is reviewing the medication list for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
mellitus. The nurse should recognize which of the following medications can cause glucose
intolerance?
a) Ranitidine
i) Serum creatinine levels
b) Guafenesin
i) Drowsiness and dizziness
, c) Prednisone
i) Glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia, patient might require increased dosage of
hypoglycemic med.
d) Atorvastatin
i) Thyroid function tests.
4) A nurse is caring for a client receiving mydriatic eye drops. Which of the following clinical
manifestations indicates to the nurse that the client has developed a systemic anticholinergic
effect?
a) Seizures
b) Tachypnea
c) Constipation
i) Mydriatic eye drops can cause systemic anticholinergic effects such as
constipation, dry mouth, photophobia, and tachycardia.
d) Hypothermia
,5) A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving IV
furosemide. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following
electrolyte imbalances?
a) Hypernatremia
i) Rationale: The nurse should monitor the client who is receiving IV
furosemide for hyponatremia.
b) Hyperuricemia
i) Rationale: The nurse should monitor the client who is receiving IV
furosemide for hyperuricemia. The nurse should instruct the client to
notify the provider for any tenderness or swelling of the joints.
c) Hypercalcemia
i) Rationale: The nurse should monitor the client who is receiving IV
furosemide for hypocalcemia.
d) Hyperchloremia
i) Rationale: The nurse should monitor the client who is receiving IV
furosemide for hypochloremia.
6) A nurse is talking to a client who is taking a calcium supplement for osteoporosis. The client
tells the nurse she is experiencing flank pain. Which of the following adverse effects should the
nurse suspect?
a) Renal stones
7) A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed warfarin therapy for an artificial heart valve. Which
of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor for a therapeutic effect of warfarin?
a) Hemoglobin
b) Prothrombin time (PT)
i) Rationale: This test is used to monitor warfarin therapy. For a client receiving full
, anticoagulant therapy,should typically be approximately two to three times the
normal value, depending on the indication for therapeutic anticoagulation.
c) Bleeding time
d) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
8) A nurse is preparing to administer a dose of lactulose to a client who has cirrhosis. The client states,
"I don't need this medication. I am not constipated." The nurse should explain that in clients who
have cirrhosis, lactulose is used to decrease levels of which of the following components in the
bloodstream?
a) Glucose