Registered Nurse: Pharmacological & Parenteral Therapies Flashcards

A patient is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) via a central line. The nurse should assess for which complication?

Answer: Hyperglycemia and infection at insertion site

TPN's high dextrose content can cause hyperglycemia, and the central line is a significant infection risk.

Which medication classification requires the nurse to assess the patient's apical pulse for one full minute before administration?

Answer: Cardiac glycosides (digoxin)

Digoxin slows conduction through the AV node; it is withheld if the apical pulse is below 60 beats per minute.

A nurse is caring for a patient receiving IV aminophylline. Which finding indicates toxicity?

Answer: Tachycardia, tremors, and seizures

Aminophylline (theophylline) toxicity manifests as tachycardia, tremors, seizures, and arrhythmias.

A patient prescribed a fentanyl transdermal patch needs to be educated that the patch should be:

Answer: Placed on non-irritated, non-hairy skin and changed every 72 hours

Fentanyl patches are applied to intact, non-hairy skin and replaced every 72 hours; heat increases absorption dangerously.

Which lab value is the priority to check before administering an aminoglycoside antibiotic?

Answer: Serum creatinine and BUN

Aminoglycosides are nephrotoxic; baseline and ongoing renal function tests (creatinine, BUN) are essential.

A nurse is preparing to hang a peripheral IV solution of dextrose 10% in water (D10W). This solution is classified as:

Answer: Hypertonic

D10W has an osmolarity of approximately 505 mOsm/L, making it hypertonic compared to plasma.

A patient with myasthenia gravis is being treated with pyridostigmine. The nurse understands this drug works by:

Answer: Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase to increase acetylcholine availability

Pyridostigmine inhibits acetylcholinesterase, increasing available acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction to improve muscle strength.