NCLEX Questions ~ Cardiovascular Medications

A postpartum client with deep vein thrombosis is being treated with anticoagulant therapy. The nurse teaches the client that the primary health care provider (PHCP) should be contacted for which noted side and adverse effects? Select all that apply.

Epistaxis, hematuria, ecchymosis

Atorvastatin has been prescribed for a client, and the client asks the nurse about the side and adverse effects of the medication. What should the nurse tell the client is a frequent side effect of this medication?

Headache

A client who is taking chlorothiazide comes to the clinic for periodic evaluation. In monitoring the client's laboratory test results for medication side effects, what is the clinic nurse most likely to note if a side or adverse effect is present?

Hypokalemia

Atorvastatin has been prescribed for a client. The nurse tells the client that which blood test will be done periodically while the client is taking this medication?

Liver Function Studies

The nurse has conducted medication instructions with a client receiving lovastatin. Which periodic blood study will be necessary and included in the client's instructions?

Liver Function Studies

The nurse has been given a medication prescription to administer intravenous (IV) hydralazine. The nurse obtains which priority piece of equipment needed for use during administration of this medication?

Noninvasive blood pressure cuff

The nurse is preparing to administer furosemide to a client with a diagnosis of heart failure. Which is the most important laboratory test result for the nurse to check before administering this medication?

Potassium Level

The home care nurse instructs a client on how to administer enoxaparin subcutaneously. Which statement, if made by the client, indicates an understanding of how to administer this medication?

"A syringe that has a small 5/8 in (1.5 cm) needle is used to administer the injection."

The nurse provides instructions to a client who has a prescription for ticlopidine. Which statement made by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

"Food will affect the medication, so I need to take the medication on an empty stomach."

A home health nurse instructs a client about the use of a nitrate patch. The nurse should make which statement to the client to prevent client tolerance to nitrates?

"Have a 12-hour 'no-nitrate' time."

A client with angina pectoris has been given a new prescription for nitroglycerin transdermal patches. The client indicates an understanding of how to use this medication administration system by making which statement?

"I need to apply the patch in the morning and leave it in place for 12 to 14 hours as directed."

A neurologist prescribed ticlopidine to the client with thrombotic stroke. The nurse provides instructions to the client and spouse regarding the medication. Which statement made by the client indicates that education was effective?

"I'll take the medicine with meals."

Atorvastatin has been prescribed for a client, and the client asks the nurse about the action of the medication. How should the nurse respond?

"It decreases low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)."

A nurse has provided discharge instructions to a client being placed on long-term anticoagulant therapy with warfarin (Coumadin). Adequate learning would be evident if the client makes which statements? Select all that apply.

1, 5, 6

The nurse is preparing to administer furosemide 40 mg by intravenous (IV) injection (IV push) to a client. The nurse should administer the medication over which time period?

2 minutes

A client who is receiving digoxin daily has a serum potassium level of 3 mEq/L (3 mmol/L) and reports anorexia. The health care provider prescribes a serum digoxin level to be done. The nurse checks the results and should recognize which level that is outside of the therapeutic range?

2.2 ng/mL

The nurse is caring for a postpartum client with a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis who is receiving a continuous intravenous infusion of heparin sodium. Review of which laboratory result is the most important by the nurse?

Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)

A hospitalized client with a history of angina pectoris complains of substernal chest pain. The nurse checks the client's blood pressure and administers nitroglycerin, gr 1/4 sublingually. Five minutes later, the client is still experiencing chest pain. If the blood pressure remains stable, the nurse should take which action next?

Administer another nitroglycerin tablet

Hydrochlorothiazide has been prescribed for a client with hypertension. The nurse contacts the primary health care provider (PHCP) to verify the prescription if which condition is noted in the assessment data?

Allergy to sulfonamides

A client with a subarachnoid hemorrhage needs to have surgery delayed until a stable clinical condition is achieved. The nurse prepares to administer which medication as prescribed to prevent clot breakdown and dissolution?

Aminocaproic acid

Atenolol has been prescribed for a hospitalized client. The nurse should check which item before administering this medication?

Apical heart rate

A client who had surgery 3 days earlier is receiving heparin sulfate by subcutaneous injection every 12 hours. In planning for the client's morning care, the priority nursing intervention is which action?

Assist the client to shave using an electric razor.

A client is being treated with procainamide for a cardiac dysrhythmia. Following intravenous administration of the medication, the client complains of dizziness. What intervention should the nurse take first?

Auscultate the client's apical pulse and obtain a blood pressure.

A client is scheduled to have heparin sodium 5000 units subcutaneously. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

Avoid aspirating prior to injecting the medication

The nurse has given a client the prescribed dose of intravenous hydralazine. The nurse evaluates the effectiveness of the medication by monitoring which client parameter?

Blood Pressure

A client having a myocardial infarction is receiving alteplase therapy. Which action should be carried out by the nurse to monitor for the most frequent side/adverse effect?

Check for signs of bleeding.

The nurse has given a client information about the use of nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. The client has a prescription for PRN (as needed) use if chest pain occurs. Which client statement indicates an understanding of this medication?

"I need to discard unused tablets 6 months after the bottle is opened."

A client is to be discharged from the hospital on quinidine gluconate to control ventricular ectopy. The nurse provides instructions to the client about the medication. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further instruction?

"I need to stop the medication immediately if diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting occurs."

The nurse provides discharge instructions to a client with atrial fibrillation who is taking warfarin sodium. Which statement, by the client, reflects the need for further teaching?

"I will take coated aspirin for my headaches because it will coat my stomach."

A client has developed paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. Which medication should the nurse anticipate will be prescribed by the primary health care provider?

Bumetanide

The nurse is administering a dose of a prescribed diuretic to an assigned client. The nurse should monitor the client for hypokalemia as a side effect of therapy if the client has been receiving which medication?

Bumetanide

Fenofibrate is prescribed for a client with hyperlipidemia. The nurse reviews the client's medical history for the presence of what condition that contraindicates the use of this medication?

Cirrhosis of the liver

A client with valvular heart disease who has a clot in the right atrium is receiving a heparin sodium infusion at 1000 units/hr and warfarin sodium 7.5 mg at 5:00 p.m. daily. The morning laboratory results are as follows: activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), 32 seconds; international normalized ratio (INR), 1.3. The nurse should take which action based on the client's laboratory results?

Collaborate with the PHCP to obtain a prescription to increase the heparin infusion and continue the warfarin sodium as prescribed.

A client is receiving scheduled doses of lovastatin. The nurse determines that the medication is having the intended effect if which is noted?

Decreased Cholesterol Level

A client is on enalapril for the treatment of hypertension. The nurse teaches the client to seek emergent care if which is experienced?

Swelling of the tongue

What should the nurse teach a client about an expected outcome of nesiritide administration?

The client will have an increase in urine output

The primary health care provider (PHCP) writes a prescription for lisinopril for a hospitalized client with hypertension. The nurse caring for the client determines that the medication has been prescribed to treat which disorder?

hypertension

In reviewing the medication records of a group of clients, the nurse determines that which client would be at greatest risk for developing hyperkalemia?

Client receiving spironolactone

A client has been prescribed pindolol for hypertension. The nurse provides anticipatory guidance, knowing that which common side effect of this medication may decrease client compliance?

Impotence