Deck 11: Allergy and Respiratory Medications

Question 1

A patient is seen regularly for hypertension.When he comes today for his regular appointment,he asks for a decongestant,because he has a bad head cold.The physician would probably do which of the following?

A) Order a decongestant.
B) Order an antibiotic because of the possibility of infection.
C) He would not order a decongestant because that medication might increase the patient's hypertension.
D) Order an expectorant and hydrate the patient.

Answer 1

He would not order a decongestant because that medication might increase the patient's hypertension.

Question 2

A patient asks if he can still drink coffee and cola while on bronchodilators for his COPD.Which of the following represents the best response?

A) "Caffeine-containing drinks can be used in moderation."
B) "You have no restriction when drinking coffee."
C) "Drink plenty of water to counteract the caffeine."
D) "Avoid large amounts of caffeine."

Answer 2

"Avoid large amounts of caffeine."

Question 3

Xanthine derivatives are bronchodilators with which of the following actions in the body? (Select all that apply. )

A) Smooth-muscle relaxation
B) Kidney diuresis
C) Stimulation of the myocardium
D) Decrease in respiratory rate

Answer 3

Smooth-muscle relaxation
Kidney diuresis
Stimulation of the myocardium

Question 4

The patient is an energetic 4-year-old who has had asthma since birth.He takes theophylline regularly.When he comes in,the doctor will be most concerned about which of the following?

A) The presence of infection and bronchospasm
B) His blood theophylline levels
C) His ability to swallow the medication
D) Adverse reactions

Question 5

A patient has recently recovered from pneumonia.She is on an expectorant for a cough she developed with her pneumonia.She discovers that she now wheezes after jogging in the morning.The physician might suggest which of the following?

A) Taking an oral bronchodilator before running
B) Using an intranasal steroid nebulizer before running
C) Taking a spray decongestant before running
D) Drinking 2 quarts of water daily

Question 6

A young mother tells the nurse that her 6-month-old baby has a cough and that she is giving the baby an OTC cough and decongestant preparation.Which of the following statements represents would the nurse teach this young mother?

A) Over-the-counter medication is safe for infants.
B) These products are not safe for infants.
C) These products are safe if given diluted.
D) These products are safe in infants over 6 months.

Question 7

The physician has ordered an antihistamine for an elderly patient with allergies.The nurse would expect the physician to do which of the following?

A) Go slow and stay low in dosing.
B) Order the medication according to age and weight.
C) Only give liquid medication.
D) Give medication once a week.

Question 8

The nurse will inform a patient who is on an antitussive agent about which of the following?

A) This medication is not habit forming.
B) This medication is for children's use only.
C) This medication can be addictive.
D) This medication comes only in pill form.

Question 9

A patient has had asthma since childhood but is now an active teenager with few symptoms as long as she takes her medication regularly.Lately she reports a lack of appetite,difficulty falling asleep,vague feelings of anxiety,and restlessness.She also notices a little tremor of her hands and feels pounding in her chest.These symptoms may be caused by which of the following?

A) Sympathomimetic drugs
B) Xanthine derivatives
C) Cromolyn sodium
D) Both sympathomimetic and xanthine derivative agents

Question 10

Which of the following is an important concept to teach patients who take expectorants,antitussives,decongestants,or bronchodilators?

A) These are all over-the-counter medications that must be used with caution.
B) Medication effectiveness will be enhanced with adequate patient hydration of more than 2 quarts of water per day.
C) These preparations frequently cause adverse effects,and the patient should not take them without consulting a physician.
D) Patients may expect to develop fever,swollen lymph nodes,and tightness in the chest when taking these products.

Question 11

A patient is recovering from bronchitis.He is producing large amounts of thick mucus,especially in the mornings.The physician might do which of the following?

A) Suggest he drink a glass of water with each meal.
B) Suggest he drink two glasses of orange juice daily.
C) Order an expectorant and tell the patient to force fluids.
D) Order an antitussive.

Question 12

The patient on cromolyn for asthma is monitored carefully during reduction of the medication for which of the following reasons?

A) An increase in appetite causes weight gain.
B) The asthmatic symptoms may return.
C) Discharge from the nasal passages increases.
D) The patient's eyes will water more.

Question 13

Patients with hypertension will be advised not to take antihistamines for which of the following reasons?

A) They cause a slow pulse rate.
B) They need to be taken 2 hours apart.
C) There is a 6-hour wait between doses.
D) They can cause blood pressure to rise.

Question 14

A patient is scheduled to take the pneumonia vaccination.She has developed nasal congestion and started taking a topical intranasal steroid.The physician might tell the patient which of the following?

A) Stop taking the intranasal steroid.
B) Decrease the use of the intranasal steroid.
C) Do not take the pneumonia vaccination.
D) There is no effect from the two used together.

Question 15

A patient comes into the clinic complaining of a nonproductive cough and muscle aches that she has had for 5 days.She has no sore throat,temperature elevation,or swollen lymph nodes.She is coughing so much that she is unable to sleep at night.The physician might order which of the following?

A) Decongestant
B) Expectorant
C) Antitussive
D) Antibiotic

Question 16

A 17-year-old high school wrestler comes in for his regularly scheduled appointment for asthma.He reports no acute problems now with wheezing,coughing,shortness of breath,or tightness in his chest.He might be a candidate for prophylactic treatment with which of the following medications?

A) Theochron
B) Sus-Phrine
C) Cromolyn sodium
D) Proventil

Question 17

Cromolyn is effective in which of the following situations? (Select all that apply. )

A) Prophylaxis for asthma
B) Management of an acute exacerbation of asthma
C) Management of allergic rhinitis
D) Management of eczema

Question 18

Intranasal steroids are used when which of the following is true?

A) Low-grade infection is present and has not responded to the use of antibiotics.
B) Conventional methods of reducing inflammation have been tried and found to be ineffective.
C) The patient is pregnant.
D) The patient is immunocompromised.

Question 19

The therapeutic level of theophylline is directly related to the blood levels achieved from the administration of the medication on a regular schedule.Factors affecting the therapeutic level include which of the following? (Select all that apply. )

A) Variance in rates of absorption
B) Fluid intake
C) Metabolism and elimination
D) Age of the patient

Question 20

A patient is experiencing severe headaches and pressure over her eyes.She feels congested but has no temperature elevation.There is a past history of sinus infection with this patient.The physician might order which of the following?

A) Expectorant
B) Antibiotic
C) Antitussive
D) Decongestant