The nurse prepares to administer morning medications to assigned clients. Which prescription should the nurse clarify with the health care provider?

Question

The nurse prepares to administer morning medications to assigned clients.  Which prescription should the nurse clarify with the health care provider?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) prescribed to treat hypertension. ACE inhibitors (eg, lisinopril, enalapril) and ARBs are teratogenic, causing renal and cardiac defects or death of the fetus. ARBs and ACE inhibitors have black box warnings that indicate contraindication in pregnancy. The nurse should not give an ARB to a pregnant client (Option B). The health care provider should be notified so that an alternate antihypertensive may be prescribed that is safe to take during pregnancy (eg, labetalol, methyldopa). (Option A) Antiplatelet agents (eg, clopidogrel) are prescribed to prevent thromboembolic events in clients with increased risk for stroke or myocardial infarction. Laboratory values are monitored periodically as these drugs increase bleeding time (normal, 2-7 minutes [120-420 seconds]) and, rarely, may lower platelet count (normal, 150,000-400,000/mm³ [150-400 × 10⁹/L]) (Option C) Bell palsy presents as acute onset of unilateral facial paralysis related to inflammation of the facial nerve (ie, cranial nerve VII) that may be triggered by a viral illness (eg, herpes simplex virus). Standard treatment includes corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) within 72 hours of symptom onset. (Option D) Tiotropium is an inhaled anticholinergic drug that inhibits receptors in the smooth muscles of the airways. It is prescribed daily for the long-term management of bronchospasm in clients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Educational objective: Angiotensin II receptor blockers and ACE inhibitors are teratogenic, causing fetal injury or death, and are contraindicated in pregnancy.

The Nurse Prepares to Administer Morning Medications to Assigned Clients