NCLEX: A 72-year-old client in a long-term care facility is being evaluated for a newly prescribed medication regimen. A…

Pharmacology Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

Case Study

A 72-year-old client in a long-term care facility is being evaluated for a newly prescribed medication regimen. Assessment data include the client has potassium 5.8 mEq/L with muscle weakness on the monitor. The nurse is evaluating discharge teaching. Which client statement shows correct understanding?

Question

A. "I will stop my medications when I feel better."
B. "I will call the nurse if I have new or worse symptoms before my follow-up appointment."
C. "I do not need to report mild symptoms unless they become unbearable."
D. "The nurse does not need to know about changes unless the provider asks."

Rationale

Correct answer: B. "I will call the nurse if I have new or worse symptoms before my follow-up appointment."

Rationale: Effective teaching includes when to seek help for worsening symptoms. Stopping medications or delaying reports are unsafe.

Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.

Level: Foundational

Difficulty: Easy

Subtopic: Pharmacokinetics