Pharmacology

1. In providing care for a sickle cell crisis, which medication order for pain control should be questioned by the nurse?

Answer: Demerol
Rationale: Clients with sickle cel disease are at risk for normeperidine-induced seizures.

2. The nurse is caring for a patient newly diagnosed with DVT who will be placed on heparin therapy. Which assessment is critical for the nurse to make before initiating therapy.

Answer: Weight
Rationale: Heparin dosage is calculated based on patient's weight.

3. Mr. Jones recently had a motor vehicular accident. He was diagnosed with cerebral edema and was placed on Dexamethasone (Decadron). Which assessment would indicate that the treatment is effective?

Answer: Increased motor stimuli response
Rationale: Decadron decreases inflammatory response. Once it reaches therapeutic level, a decrease in symptomalogy with motor skills improvement is noted.