1. Nurse Rita is giving instructions to her client who is taking antihistamine. Which of the following nurse teachings is appropriate for the client?
- Avoid ingesting alcohol.
- Be aware that you may need to take a decongestant.
- Be aware that you may have increased saliva.
- Expect a relief in 24 hours.
2. Daniel has vertigo, which antihistamine is best for his condition?
- Terfenadine
- Meclizine
- Hydrocodone
- Guaifenesin
3. Raul, a 20-year-old student, used to buy OTC drugs whenever he feels sick. Which of the following statements best describes the danger of self-medication with over-the-counter drugs?
- Clients are not aware of the action of over-the-counter drugs.
- Clients are not aware of the side effects of over-the-counter drugs.
- Clients minimize the effects of over-the-counter drugs because they are available without prescription.
- Clients do not realize the effects of over-the-counter drugs.
4. Shenaya will be having her exam in pharmacology tomorrow. She should be aware that antitussive is indicated to:
- encourage removal of secretions through coughing.
- relieve rhinitis.
- control a productive cough.
- relieve a dry cough.
5. The nurse should instruct a client who is taking an expectorant to:
- restrict fluids.
- increase fluids.
- avoid vaporizers.
- take antihistamines.
6. When administering the methylxanthine theophylline, the nurse can expect:
- Decreased pulmonary function
- Increased pulmonary function
- Increased residual volume
- Decreased tidal volume
7. A client with which of the following conditions may experience a dangerous or fatal side effect of theophylline?
- Cardiac disorder
- Diabetes
- Renal disease
- Hepatic disease
8. To evaluate the effectiveness of theophylline therapy, which of the following laboratory values must be drawn?
- Glucose
- Hematocrit
- Potassium
- Theophylline levels
9. The effects of theophylline may be increased by:
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Rifampin
- Cimetidine
10. Which of the following statements describes the action of antacids?
- Antacids neutralize gastric acid.
- Antacids block the production of gastric acid.
- Antacids block dopamine.
- Antacids enhance action of acetylcholine.
11. Jam is under chemotherapy in which nausea is an expected side effect. Which of the following drugs is indicated to prevent such side effect?
- metoclopramide
- cimetidine
- Tagamet
- famotidine
12. Which of the following drugs will reduce the effectiveness of sucralfate?
- ranitidine
- Carafate
- metoclopramide
- meclizine
13. Extrapyramidal symptoms are a side effect of which of the following drugs?
- ranitidine
- omeprazole
- famotidine
- metoclopramide
14. Which histamine-2 antagonist is associated with the most drug interactions?
- ranitidine
- cimetidine
- Prilosec
- nizatidine
15. Hydrochloric acid secretion is blocked by which of the following category of drugs?
- antacids
- gastric stimulants
- histamine-2 antagonists
- antihistamines
16. Which category of drugs prevents/treats constipation by the osmotic drawing of water from extravascular space to intestinal lumen?
- Stimulants
- Bulk-forming agents
- Hyperosmotic agents
- Lubricants
17. Which of the following is a bulk-forming agent?
- glycerin
- lactulose
- FiberCon
- Milk of Magnesia
18. A client needs rapid cleansing of the bowel, which category is best used?
- Bacid
- Bulk-forming agent
- Saline laxatives with magnesium
- Intestinal flora modifiers
19. Which of the following categories is used for diarrhea and constipation?
- Bulk-forming agents
- Intestinal flora modifiers
- Cascara
- Milk of Magnesia
20. Which of the following may be used for a bowel preparation and is not recommended for treatment of constipation?
- Correctol
- Fiberall
- mineral oil
- castor oil
Answers and Rationales
- Answer: A. Avoid ingesting alcohol. Because alcohol and antihistamines have sedating properties, concurrent administration of these drugs should be avoided. Antihistamines and decongestants are often given together. Dry mouth is a common side effect, not increased salivation. Not all antihistamines last 24 hours.
- Answer: B. Meclizine. Meclizine (Antivert) is given for vertigo and motion sickness. Choices C and D are not antihistamines. Choice A is an antihistamine, but meclizine is the standard drug in the treatment of vertigo.
- Answer: C. Clients minimize the effects of over-the-counter drugs because they are available without prescription. This choice is correct because it includes the other three risks noted in choices A, B, and D.
- Answer: D. relieve a dry cough. An antitussive is a cough suppressant. Choices A and C describe the action of an expectorant. Choice D describes the action of a decongestant.
- Answer: B. increase fluids. Increasing fluids will help liquefy secretions and facilitate removal.
- Answer: B. Increased pulmonary function. Theophylline will improve ventilation so there will be an overall improvement of pulmonary measurements. Other choices are the opposite of what will actually occur with theophylline administration.
- Answer: A. Cardiac disorder. A client with a heart condition may experience dangerous stimulation from this drug. Theophylline should be administered cautiously with all the other choices, but consequences are most dangerous or possibly fatal for clients with a heart condition.
- Answer: D. Theophylline levels. Theophylline levels must be drawn to determine if the drug is present in therapeutic amounts in the client’s serum.
- Answer: D. Cimetidine. Cimetidine will increase the effects of theophylline.
- Answer: A. Antacids neutralize gastric acid. Antacids act to bring the pH above 3. Other choices are incorrect because they describe actions of antiacid drugs.
- Answer: A. metoclopramide. This is the only drug among the choices that is indicated to prevent nausea.
- Answer: A. ranitidine. Ranitidine decreases the effectiveness of sucralfate because it decreases the acid content of gastric secretion. Choice B is the trade name for sucralfate. Choice C is a gastric stimulant that does not alter pH. Choice D is an antihistamine and its GI effect is antiemetic.
- Answer: D. metoclopramide. A side effect of metoclopramide is EPS.
- Answer: B. cimetidine. Cimetidine was the first histamine-2 antagonist developed and is associated with the most toxic drug interactions of the group.
- Answer: C. histamine-2 antagonists. This is the only category of drugs that reduces the volume of secretions.
- Answer: C. Hyperosmotic agents. Hyperosmotic agents change the osmotic gradient between the intestine and extravascular space causing water to move into the intestinal lumen and balance the gradient.
- Answer: C. FiberCon. FiberCon is the bulk-forming agent. Choices A and B are incorrect because they are hyperosmotic agents. Choice D, meanwhile, is a saline laxative.
- Answer: C. Saline laxatives with magnesium. Saline laxatives are the best agents for rapid bowel cleansing. Bacid is an intestinal flora modifier. Bulk-forming agents will not produce rapid cleansing. Intestinal flora modifiers will not not produce rapid cleansing as well.
- Answer: A. Bulk-forming agents. Bulk-forming agents are used for diarrhea and constipation.
- Answer: D. castor oil. Castor oil is not recommended for treatment of constipation because it causes such severe abdominal pain.