NR 340 CRITICAL CARE NURSING Medication Therapy Review Exam Q & A 2026 Complete And Study material 20pages LEARNEXAMS

1. A patient with acute heart failure is prescribed furosemide. What is the primary nursing consideration for this medication? - A) Monitoring serum potassium levels - B) Ensuring the patient maintains a high-sodium diet - C) Assessing for signs of hyperglycemia - D) Checking for skin rash daily Answer: A) Monitoring serum potassium levels Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium loss, which can lead to hypokalemia. 2. When administering intravenous vancomycin, what is an essential action to prevent complications? - A) Infuse rapidly to ensure medication efficacy - B) Administer with a high-glucose IV solution - C) Monitor blood pressure every 15 minutes - D) Infuse over at least 60 minutes to prevent red man syndrome Answer: D) Infuse over at least 60 minutes to prevent red man syndrome Rationale: Slow infusion of vancomycin minimizes the risk of histamine release associated with red man syndrome. 3. A nurse is caring for a patient on a heparin drip. Which laboratory value requires close monitoring? - A) Complete blood count (CBC) - B) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) - C) Serum sodium - D) Liver enzymes Answer: B) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) Rationale: aPTT is monitored to ensure therapeutic levels of heparin and prevent bleeding complications. 4. In administering digoxin to a patient with atrial fibrillation, what is a critical parameter to assess before administration? - A) Urine output - B) Heart rate - C) Blood glucose level - D) Respiratory rate Answer: B) Heart rate