Question 1

A gardener needs a decongestant because of seasonal allergy problems and asks the nurse whether he should take an oral form or a nasal spray. The nurse's answer considers that one benefit of orally administered decongestants is

Accepted Answer

Drugs administered by the oral route produce prolonged decongestant effects, but the onset of action is more delayed and the effect less potent than those of decongestants applied topically. However, the clinical problem of rebound congestion associated with topically administered drugs is almost nonexistent with oral dosage forms.

Question 2

A patient tells the nurse that she wants to start taking the herbal product goldenseal to improve her health. The nurse will assess for which potential cautions or contraindications to goldenseal? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Goldenseal is contraindicated in patients with acute or chronic gastrointestinal disorders and during pregnancy (because it has uterine stimulant properties). It should be used with caution by those with cardiovascular disorders. Potential drug interactions may occur with gastric acid suppressors such as antacids, histamine H? blockers (e.g., ranitidine), and proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole), theoretically because of their reduced effectiveness resulting from the acid-promoting effect of the herb, and with antihypertensive drugs (because of the vasoconstrictive activity of the herb). Goldenseal is potentially useful for sinus infections and chronic nasal allergies.

Question 3

The nurse is reviewing the use of antitussive drugs. Antitussive drugs would be most appropriate for which patient?

Accepted Answer

Although most of the time coughing is a beneficial response, there are times when it is not useful and may even be harmful (e.g., after a surgical procedure such as hernia repair or in cases of nonproductive, or dry, cough). Coughing would be beneficial in the other three situations.

Question 4

A patient has been advised to add a nasal spray (an adrenergic decongestant) to treat a cold. The nurse will include which instruction?

Accepted Answer

Frequent, long-term, or excessive use of nasal decongestants may lead to rebound congestion if used beyond the recommended time. The other instructions are incorrect.

Question 5

A patient is taking guaifenesin ( Humibid ) as part of treatment for a sinus infection. Which instruction will the nurse include during patient teaching?

Accepted Answer

Forcing fluids helps to loosen and liquefy secretions. The patient must be fully aware that any fever, chest tightness, change in sputum from clear to colored, difficult or noisy breathing, activity intolerance, or weakness needs to be reported. The patient also must report to the prescriber a fever of higher than 100.4° F (38° C) or symptoms that last longer than 3 to 4 days. Decongestants do not cause sedation, and therefore the patient does not need to avoid driving a car or operating heavy machinery.

Question 6

A patient will be receiving diphenhydramine (Benadryl) via a PEG tube, 25 mg, every 8 hours for an allergic rash. The medication is available as a 12.5 mg/5 mL syrup. How many milliliters will the nurse administer with each dose?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient will be receiving diphenhydramine (Benadryl)...

Question 7

A patient asks the nurse about the uses of echinacea. Which use will the nurse include in the response?

Accepted Answer

Common uses of echinacea include stimulation of the immune system, antisepsis, treatment of viral infections and influenza-like respiratory tract infections, and promotion of the healing of wounds and chronic ulcerations. The other options are incorrect.

Question 8

A patient with a tracheostomy has difficulty removing excessive, thick mucus from the respiratory tract. The nurse expects that which drug will be ordered to aid in the removal of mucus?

Accepted Answer

Expectorants such as guaifenesin work to loosen and thin sputum and the bronchial secretions, thereby indirectly diminishing the tendency to cough. The other drugs listed do not have this effect.

Question 9

When teaching a patient who will be receiving antihistamines, the nurse will include which instructions? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

Antihistamines should be taken with food, even though this slightly reduces the absorption of the drug, so as to minimize the gastrointestinal upset that can occur. Over-the-counter medications must not be taken with an antihistamine unless approved by the physician because of the serious drug interactions that may occur. Drinking extra fluids will help to ease the removal of secretions, and activities that require alertness, such as driving, must not be engaged in until the patient knows how he or she responds to the sedating effects of antihistamines.

Question 10

When giving dextromethorphan, the nurse understands that this drug suppresses the cough reflex by which mechanism of action?

Accepted Answer

Dextromethorphan suppresses the cough reflex through a direct action on the cough center. The other options are incorrect.

Question 11

During a routine checkup, a patient states that she is unable to take the prescribed antihistamine because of one of its most common adverse effects. The nurse suspects that which adverse effect has been bothering this patient?

Accepted Answer

Drowsiness is usually the chief complaint of people who take antihistamines.

Question 12

The nurse will instruct patients about a possible systemic effect that may occur if excessive amounts of topically applied adrenergic nasal decongestants are used. Which systemic effect may occur?

Accepted Answer

Although a topically applied adrenergic nasal decongestant can be absorbed into the bloodstream, the amount absorbed is usually too small to cause systemic effects at normal dosages. Excessive dosages of these medications, however, are more likely to cause systemic effects elsewhere in the body. These may include cardiovascular effects, such as hypertension and palpitations, and central nervous system effects such as headache, nervousness, and dizziness. The other options are incorrect.

Question 13

A child will be receiving diphenhydramine (Benadryl), 5 mg/kg/day, in divided doses, every 6 hours. The child weighs 80 pounds. How many milligrams of medication will the child receive with each dose? (Record answer using one decimal place.)

Accepted Answer

The answer of A child will be receiving diphenhydramine (Benadryl),...

Quiz 36: Antihistamines, Decongestants, Antitussives, and Expectorants