Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies Flashcards
6 cards from real NACE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies flashcards as text
A patient is prescribed heparin 5,000 units subcutaneously. The vial contains 10,000 units/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
Answer: 0.5 mL
Using the formula: 5,000 units divided by 10,000 units/mL = 0.5 mL.
Which assessment is most important before administering digoxin?
Answer: Apical heart rate for one full minute
The apical heart rate must be assessed for one full minute before administering digoxin. The medication should be held if the rate is below 60 bpm in adults.
A patient receiving IV vancomycin develops flushing of the face, neck, and upper body. What is the nurse's priority action?
Answer: Slow the infusion rate
This presentation is consistent with Red Man Syndrome, a histamine-mediated reaction to rapid vancomycin infusion. Slowing the infusion rate typically resolves the symptoms.
Which medication requires the nurse to monitor potassium levels closely due to the risk of hyperkalemia?
Answer: Spironolactone
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that blocks aldosterone, leading to potassium retention and risk of hyperkalemia.
A nurse is administering total parenteral nutrition (TPN) through a central line. Which nursing action is essential?
Answer: Monitor blood glucose levels regularly
TPN contains high concentrations of dextrose that can cause hyperglycemia. Blood glucose monitoring every 4-6 hours is essential during TPN administration.
A patient with diabetes is prescribed NPH insulin and regular insulin. In which order should the nurse draw up the insulins?
Answer: Regular first, then NPH
The clear (regular) insulin is always drawn up first to prevent contamination of the regular insulin vial with the cloudy (NPH) insulin.