NURS 3100 Exam 1 Practice

Following an overdose of aspirin, which is an acidic drug, what should the nurse anticipate administering?

1. Ammonium chloride to increase metabolism in the liver

2. Intravenous fluids to flush the kidneys

3. Intravenous proteins to bind the aspirin

4. Sodium bicarbonate to alter the client's serum pH

The correct answer is: Ammonium chloride to increase metabolism in the liver

After an aspirin overdose, which is an acidic drug, the nurse should anticipate administering ammonium chloride to increase the acidity of the urine. Increasing the acidity of the urine can promote the excretion of aspirin as acidic drugs like aspirin are more soluble in acidic urine. This helps in enhancing the elimination of the aspirin from the body, reducing its toxic effects. Options B, C, and D are incorrect: - Intravenous fluids to flush the kidneys (Option B) may help with general hydration but will not specifically aid in the excretion of acidic drugs like aspirin. - Intravenous proteins to bind the aspirin (Option C) may be used in cases of certain drug overdoses for which specific antidotes are available, but this is not the typical treatment for aspirin overdose. - Sodium bicarbonate to alter the client's serum pH (Option D) is commonly used to treat aspirin toxicity by alkalinizing the urine, which can help enhance the elimination of the drug. However, in this case, the question is asking about what the nurse should anticipate administering, and specifically, ammonium chloride is more likely to be used to increase acidification of the urine to promote aspirin excretion.