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Example Questions
Example Question #91 : Drug Identification
Foscarent is toxic to which of the following organs?
Heart
Kidneys
Bladder
Liver
Kidneys
Foscarent can cause damage to the kidneys. To reduce the damaging effect, the patient may be put on intravenous fluids.
Example Question #91 : Drug Identification
What is acyclovir's mechanism of action?
Neuraminidase inhibitor
Reverse transcriptase blocker
Guanosine analog
M2 channel inhibitor
Guanosine analog
Acyclovir is a guanosine analog, which works by inhibiting viral DNA polymerase. This slows down the rate at which viruses can replicate. Acyclovir is used primarily in the treatment of herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, chickenpox, and shingles.
Example Question #1 : Other Pharmacological Drugs
Allopurinol is used for what condition?
Gout
Hypertension
Type II diabetes
Kidney stones
Gout
Allopurinol is a purine analog and xanthine oxidase inhibitor used in the treatment of chronic gout.
Example Question #92 : Drug Identification
Which of the following drugs is used in the treatment of osteoporosis?
Budesonide/formoterol
Sitagliptin
Infliximab
Alendronic acid
Alendronic acid
Alendronic acid (trade name Fosamax) is a bisphosphonate used in the treatment of osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates reduce bone loss by encouraging apoptosis in osteoclasts.
Infliximab is a tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) blocker used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and several other autoimmune conditions. Sitagliptin (trade name Januvia) is a diabetes medication. Budesonide/formoterol (trade name Symbicort) is a combination long acting beta agonist and corticosteroid used in the treatment of asthma.
Example Question #93 : Drug Identification
When Allopurinol is prescribed to a client, it is best for the nurse to include the following instructions:
That the effect of the medication will occur immediately
To take the medication on an empty stomach
To drink 3000 mL of fluid a day
That if swelling of the lips occurs, this is a normal expected response
To drink 3000 mL of fluid a day
The nurse should instruct a patient on Allopurinol to drink 3000 mL of fluid a day to reduce the risk of kidney stone formation.
Example Question #93 : Drug Identification
The client prescribed cholestyramine has been given instructions for taking the medication. The nurse would recognize a need for further instructions if the client said:
This medication should only be taken with water
I will store the medication at room temperature
A high fiber diet is important while taking this medication
This medication will help lower my cholesterol
This medication should only be taken with water
Cholestyramine should be taken with meals and water. The dosage should be administered once or twice daily, with a maximum of six times daily. Cholestyramine binds bile in the gastrointestinal tract to prevent its reabsorption.
Example Question #4 : Other Pharmacological Drugs
Which of the following is a potential side effect of prednisone?
Weight gain
Adrenal suppression
All of these
Hyperglycemia and diabetes
All of these
There are many potential side effects of prednisone, including all those listed in the answer choices, headache, fatigue, acne, seizures, upset stomach, changes in mood, difficulty breathing, dry cough, vomiting, depression, heartburn, muscle weakness, irregular heart beat, tremors, inability to properly thermoregulate, and many others.
Example Question #4 : Other Pharmacological Drugs
The nurse anticipates administration of milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide). Which of the following patient conditions may affect the nurse’s decision to administer magnesium hydroxide?
Reflex esophagitis
Peptic ulcer
Constipation
Indigestion
Stress ulcer
Constipation
The nurse must consider potential side effects of medications before administering them. Constipation, diarrhea, metabolic acidosis, and acid rebound are potential side effects of magnesium hydroxide. A dose of magnesium hydroxide may potentially exacerbate the patient’s current condition if he is constipated. As an antacid, magnesium hydroxide is indicated for peptic ulcers, stress ulcers, indigestion, and reflex esophagitis.
Example Question #182 : Pharmacology
The psychiatric nurse cares for a patient with major depressive disorder admitted after a suicide attempt. The primary care provider has prescribed fluoxetine, which the patient has never taken before. Which of the following statements is important for the nurse to say to the patient?
“You may experience changes in appetite and weight.”
“You may experience changes in your bowel movements such as diarrhea or constipation.”
“This medication takes at least 4 weeks to work.”
“You could begin to feel more anxious.”
“You should take this medication in the morning because it can cause insomnia.”
“This medication takes at least 4 weeks to work.”
Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly prescribed to patients diagnosed with depression. It may cause changes in appetite and weight, increase anxiety and insomnia, or cause bradycardia or palpitations. It is most important for the nurse to educate the patient that the therapeutic effect of fluoxetine may take up to 4 weeks, as the patient has a previous suicide attempt, and may experience suicide ideation before the effect occurs.
Example Question #183 : Pharmacology
The nurse prepares to administer medications on the psychiatric unit. The patient is prescribed phenelzine sulfate for depression. Which of the following is the nurse’s priority education when administering this medication?
Effect of medication takes 3-4 weeks to work
Avoid tricyclic medications until 3 weeks after stopping
Wear sunblock
Avoid foods with tyramine
Potentiates alcohol and other medications
Avoid foods with tyramine
Phenelzine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) that treats depression. Patients who take MAOIs should avoid foods with tyramine due to an increased risk for hypertensive crisis. Tyramine-rich foods include those that are fermented, heavily marinated, pickled, smoked, or heavily marinated, also, chocolate and alcoholic beverages have significant amounts of tyramine. In addition to education about diet modification, nurses must educate patients of the signs of hypertensive crisis, which are headache, sweating, palpitations, stiff neck, and intracranial hemorrhage. All of the other listed patient educations are essential, but the priority is to avoid tyramine due to the risk for hypertensive crisis, which is life-threatening.
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