NUR280 TOP Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers

The nurse is reviewing medical prescriptions for newly admitted clients. It would be a priority for the nurse to follow up with the physician if a client with (a) a potassium level of 4.5mEq/L has Kayexalate (sodium polystyrene) prescribed (b) a Dilantin (phenytoin) level of 8 mcg/ml is placed on seizure precautions (c) sensitivity to Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is prescribed Tylenol (acetaminophen) (d) sensitivity to Penicillin is prescribed Zithromax (azithromycin)1. A. The normal potassium level is 3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L. Giving Kayexalate in this situation may cause the client to lose potassium, causing hypokalemia, therefore the drug is not indicated; the therapeutic level for Dilantin is 10 - 20 mcg/ml, a level of 8 is sub therapeutic thereby increasing the risk of seizure activity. Acetaminophen can be safely prescribed to clients with ASA sensitivity. Azithromycin (Zithromax) can be safely prescribed for clients with sensitivity to Penicillin.