Which of the following is a potential side effect of IV furosemide (Lasix)?         A. Drowsiness      B. Diarrhea      C. Cystitis      D. Hearing loss           Correct Answer: D. Hearing loss Patients receiving large doses of loop diuretics are at risk for developing ototoxicity. Ototoxicity can occur with any of the… Read More »

A 68-year-old client with a history of mild CHF and glaucoma is receiving IV mannitol (Osmitrol) to decrease intraocular pressure. The nurse would monitor the client for signs and symptoms of:         A. Fluid volume excess.      B. Fluid volume deficit.      C. Hyperkalemia.      D. Hypernatremia.           Correct Answer: A. Fluid… Read More »

All potassium-sparing diuretics:         A. Are required supplements during blood transfusion.      B. Enhance aldosterone action.      C. Cause hypokalemia.      D. Are weak diuretics.           Correct Answer: D. Are weak diuretics. Potassium-sparing diuretics are not potent diuretics when used alone. They are used as adjunctive therapy with other diuretics to minimize… Read More »

The therapeutic drug level for digoxin is:         A. 0.1-2.0 ng/mg      B. 1.0-2.0 ng/mg      C. 0.1-0.5 ng/mg      D. 0.5-2.0 ng/mg           Correct Answer: D. 0.5-2.0 ng/mg This is the correct therapeutic range for digoxin. Every nurse should know this information. The rate of toxicity increases as serum digoxin concentration… Read More »

Which of the following clients is most likely to experience adverse effects from treatment with diuretics?         A. A 21-year-old student      B. A 40-year-old unmarried man      C. A 60-year-old widower      D. A 75-year-old man           Correct Answer: D. A 75-year-old man Elderly clients are more sensitive to the effects of diuretics.… Read More »

Kylie is reviewing drugs related to cardiovascular therapies. She should be aware that the desired action of lipid-lowering agents is to:         A. Decrease high-density lipoprotein (HDL).      B. Increase total cholesterol (TC).      C. Increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL).      D. Increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL).           Correct Answer: D. Increase high-density lipoprotein… Read More »

For lipid-lowering agents to be successful, drug therapy must lower:         A. HDL      B. LDL      C. Total fat      D. All of the above           Correct Answer: B. LDL An elevated LDL is the most significant risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis; therefore, for drug therapy to be effective,… Read More »

As a competent nurse, you know that the most significant contraindication for therapy with lipid-lowering agent is:         A. Renal disease.      B. Diabetes.      C. Liver disease.      D. Cardiac disease.           Correct Answer: C. Liver disease. All lipid-lowering agents except the bile acid sequestrants are potentially hepatotoxic, so the most… Read More »

Which of the following vitamins may not be absorbed properly when giving bile acid sequestrants?         A. Vitamin B      B. Vitamin C      C. Vitamin B12      D. Vitamin K           Correct Answer: D. Vitamin K Vitamin K absorption may be reduced when giving these drugs. The only fat-soluble vitamin here… Read More »

Which of the following lipid-lowering agents has the common side effect of constipation?         A. lovastatin (Mevacor)      B. colestipol (Colestid)      C. gemfibrozil (Lopid)      D. niacin (Nicotinic acid)           Correct Answer: A. lovastatin (Mevacor) Mevacor is known to cause constipation. Although they offer substantial benefits in decreasing heart attacks and… Read More »