Deck 34: Drugs for Viral Infections

Question 1

The client has acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and has just learned she is pregnant. She tearfully asks the nurse if her baby will die of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). What is the best outcome for this client?

A) The client will take penciclovir (Denavir) as prescribed.
B) The client will take tipranavir (Aptivus) as prescribed.
C) The client will take indinavir (Crixivan) as prescribed.
D) The client will take zidovudine (Retrovir) as prescribed.

Answer 1

The client will take zidovudine (Retrovir) as prescribed.

Question 2

The physician orders amantadine (Symmetrel) for a client with influenza. Which part of the client's health history would the nurse report to the physician prior to administering amantadine (Symmetrel)?

A) allergy to shellfish
B) diabetes mellitus
C) epilepsy
D) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Answer 2

epilepsy

Question 3

The client has just begun highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) therapy for the treatment of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Which teaching point is a priority for this client?

A) Knowing which medications target which phases of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication cycle.
B) Medications must be taken for three years after viral load is not measurable.
C) Taking medications as scheduled is vital to successful treatment.
D) The goal of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) therapy is to reduce plasma human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) ribonucleic acid (RNA) to the lowest possible level.

Answer 3

Taking medications as scheduled is vital to successful treatment.

Question 4

The nurse does health teaching with a client who has acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and who has been started on antiviral medications. The nurse recognizes teaching has been effective when the client makes which statement?

A) "I will need to limit my travel to avoid people with other infections."
B) "I will need to be on a high -calorie diet to enhance the effect of the medication."
C) "I will still need to take precautions to avoid spreading the virus to others."
D) "I will not be able to continue working at my high -stress job anymore."

Question 5

The client receives acyclovir (Zovirax) as treatment for herpes simplex type 1 virus (genital herpes). What is the best, expected outcome for this client?

A) The client will report decreased pain using the approved pain scale.
B) The client will report a decrease in the number of lesions in the affected area.
C) The client will identify the names of sexual contacts in the past month.
D) The client will prevent a reoccurrence of infection in the affected area.

Question 6

The client with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) asks the nurse why he must take so many medications. What is the best response by the nurse?

A) "To decrease the possibility of the virus developing resistance to the medications."
B) "To provide you with the most effective treatment for your illness."
C) "Because the earlier we start multiple medications the better for you."
D) "Research has shown single medications to be ineffective."

Question 7

The client receives zidovudine (Retrovir) for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Which assessment data indicates an adverse reaction to zidovudine (Retrovir)?

A) fever
B) decreased white blood count (WBC)
C) enlarged lymph nodes
D) edema

Question 8

The client receives delavirdine (Rescriptor) as treatment for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The nurse assesses the client for which serious adverse effect?

A) seizures
B) bone marrow suppression
C) cardiac arrest
D) rash

Question 9

The nurse plans to teach a client with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection about zidovudine (Retrovir). What will the best plan of the nurse include? Select all that apply.

A) Zidovudine (Retrovir) will need to be stopped if bone marrow depression occurs.
B) Zidovudine (Retrovir) therapy frequently results in the development of anemia.
C) Zidovudine (Retrovir) will slow the disease, but not cure it.
D) Zidovudine (Retrovir) was the first drug developed to treat acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
E) Zidovudine (Retrovir) prevents spread of the virus through sexual contact.

Question 10

The nurse provides care for clients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Which laboratory test is the best indicator of effective treatment with antiviral medications?

A) viral load
B) T4 lymphocyte count
C) CD4 count
D) absolute neutrophil count

Question 11

The nurse accidentally sticks herself with a needle after starting an intravenous (IV) line on a client with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The nurse tells the supervisor about the accident. What is the best initial response by the supervisor to decrease anxiety in the
Nurse?

A) "Did you use the hospital protocols for starting intravenous (IV) lines on a client with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)?"
B) "Fortunately, the chances of you contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) after the stick are very small."
C) "Workers compensation will cover the cost of your illness and medications."
D) "If you are started on medications soon, it will decrease the severity of the disease."

Question 12

The nurse teaches clients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) about the importance of taking their medications as prescribed. What does the nurse recognize as the primary factor for medication noncompliance in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) population?

A) The necessity of having to take multiple medications throughout the day
B) The unpleasant side effects that are associated with the medications
C) The difficulty with availability of medications to treat acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
D) A lack of understanding for the reason to take the medications

Question 13

The client asks the nurse why there aren't better drugs for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection when so much money is spent on research. What is the best response by the nurse?

A) "Developing new drugs is difficult because the virus mutates so readily."
B) "Developing new drugs is difficult because we still do not understand the virus."
C) "Developing new drugs is difficult because people think acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a "gay" disease."
D) "Developing new drugs is difficult because we still do not have enough money."

Question 14

The client receives acyclovir (Zovirax) for treatment of genital herpes. What is a priority assessment by the nurse?

A) respiratory distress
B) auditory and visual hallucinations
C) thrombocytopenia
D) increased serum creatinine

Question 15

The nurse educates clients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) about the nature of viruses. The nurse evaluates that learning has occurred when the clients make which response(s). Select all that apply.

A) "Viruses are intracellular parasites."
B) "The structure of viruses is complex."
C) "A virion is a mature virus."
D) "Viruses are nonliving particles."
E) "Viruses can infect plants as well as animals."