Some NCLEX RN Practice Questions present ethical dilemmas, requiring students to analyze moral principles and make ethically responsible choices.
NCLEX NSAIDS Questions - NCLEX Questions on NSAIDS
NSAIDS NCLEX Practice Questions
Question 1.
A 55 year old male patient with a history of hypertension and congestive heart failure presents to the clinic with pain in his joints due to rheumatoid arthritis. The healthcare provider prescribed naproxen as an NSAID to help reduce the inflammation and pain. However, the patient reports that he has been taking a beta blocker for his hypertension and has been prescribed a loop diuretic for his CHF.
What is the potential interaction between the NSAID naproxen and the patient's other medications?
(a) Naproxen may increase the effectiveness of the beta blocker for hypertension
(b) Naproxen may decrease the diuretic effect of the loop diuretic
(c) Naproxen may increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding
(d) Naproxen may cause lithium toxicity
Answer:
(b) Naproxen may decrease the diuretic effect of the loop diuretic
Rationale:
Option (b) is the correct answer because NSAIDs may decrease the diuretic effect of loop diuretics. Option (a) is incorrect because NSAIDs may decrease the effectiveness of beta blockers, not increase it. Option (c) is incorrect because NSAIDs may increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, not decrease it. Option (d) is incorrect.
Explanation:
It is important for healthcare providers to consider the potential interactions between different medications when prescribing them to a patient. In this case, the patient is taking both a beta blocker for hypertension and a loop diuretic for congestive heart failure.
NSAIDs may decrease the effectiveness of beta blockers and may decrease the diuretic effect of loop diuretics. Therefore, it is important for the healthcare provider to closely monitor the patient's blood pressure and fluid balance while taking naproxen to ensure that the medication is not negatively interacting with the other medications the patient is taking.
Question 2.
A patient is prescribed aspirin to prevent blood clot formation. However, the patient also has hypertension and congestive heart failure.
Which of the following is the most appropriate action to take in this situation?
(a) Continue with the aspirin as prescribed
(b) Discontinue the aspirin and switch to a different blood thinner
(c) Discuss the risks and benefits of continuing the aspirin with the patient and their healthcare provider
(d) Monitor the patient for any adverse effects of the aspirin and report them to the healthcare provider
Answer:
(c) Discuss the risks and benefits of continuing the aspirin with the patient and their healthcare provider
Explanation:
Option (a) Continuing with the aspirin as prescribed may not be the most appropriate action in this situation, as the patient has conditions that could be worsened by the use of NSAIDs like aspirin. Option (b) Discontinuing the aspirin and switching to a different blood thinner may not be the best course of action without first discussing the risks and benefits with the patient and their healthcare provider.
Option (d) Monitoring the pati ent for any adverse effects of the aspirin and reporting them to the healthcare provider is important, but does not address the potential risks and benefits of continuing the aspirin in this particular case. Option (c) Discussing the risks and benefits of continuing the aspirin with the patient and their healthcare provider is the most appropriate action, as it allows for a thorough evaluation of the potential risks and benefits and allows the patient to make an informed decision about their treatment.
Rationale:
In this situation, it is important to consider the potential risks and benefits of continuing the aspirin. The patient has hypertension and congestive heart failure, which are conditions that can be worsened by the use of NSAIDs like aspirin due to their potential for sodium retention and decreased antihypertensive effects.
On the other hand, aspirin is prescribed to prevent blood clot formation, which is a potentially serious issue for the patient. The most appropriate action in this situation would be to discuss the risks and benefits of continuing the aspirin with the patient and their healthcare provider.
Question 3.
A 50 year old male patient with a history of hypertension and congestive heart failure presents to the clinic with complaints of joint pain and swelling in his hands and knees. The patient reports that he has been experiencing these symptoms for the past month and that they have been progressively worsening. The patient's primary care physician recommends starting treatment with an NSAID to reduce the inflammation and pain.
Which of the following is NOT a contraindication for starting NSAID therapy in the above case study?
(a) History of asthma
(b) Concomitant use of anticoagulants
(c) Renal failure or disorder
(d) History of bipolar disorder
Answer:
(d) History of bipolar disorder
Rationale:
The correct answer is (d) History of bipolar disorder. This is because, NSAIDs are contraindicated in patients taking lithium due to the potential for lithium toxicity. The other options (history of asthma, concomitant use of anticoagulants, and renal failure or disorder) are all contraindications for starting NS AID therapy.
Question 4.
A 35-year-old woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis presents to the clinic complaining of joint pain and inflammation. The physician decides to prescribe ibuprofen, an NS AID, to help alleviate her symptoms. The patient asks if there are any potential interactions or side effects to be aware of.
Which of the following is NOT a potential side effect or interaction associated with NSAIDs such as ibuprofen?
(a) Increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding
(b) Decreased antihypertensive effect when taken with beta blockers
(c) Decreased diuretic effect when taken with loop diuretics
(d) Increased risk of lithium toxicity when taken with lithium
(e) No potential side effects or interactions
Answer:
(e) No potential side effects or interactions
Explanation:
There are several potential side effects and interactions associated with NSAIDs, including increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, decreased antihypertensive and diuretic effects when taken with certain medications, and increased risk of lithium toxicity. It is important for the patient to be aware of these potential risks and to discuss them with her physician in order to ensure safe and effective use of the medication.
Rationale:
All of the other options (a-d) are potential side effects or interactions associated with NSAIDs. Option (e), on the other hand, states that there are no potential side effects or interactions, which is incorrect. Therefore, option E is not the correct answer.
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