Question 1

If a patient is taking fluconazole (Diflucan) with an oral anticoagulant, the nurse will monitor for which possible interaction?

Accepted Answer

Azole antifungal drugs increase the effects of oral anticoagulants. As a result, increased bleeding may occur. The other options are incorrect.

Question 2

A patient has received a prescription for a 2-week course of antifungal suppositories for a vaginal yeast infection. She asks the nurse if there is an alternative to this medication, saying, "I don't want to do this for 2 weeks!" Which is a possibility in this situation?

Accepted Answer

A single oral dose of fluconazole may be used to treat vaginal candidiasis. The other options are incorrect.

Question 3

During an intravenous (IV) infusion of amphotericin B, a patient develops tingling and numbness in his toes and fingers. What will the nurse do first?

Accepted Answer

Once the intravenous infusion of amphotericin B has begun, vital signs must be monitored frequently to assess for adverse reactions such as cardiac dysrhythmias, visual disturbances, paresthesias (numbness or tingling of the hands or feet), respiratory difficulty, pain, fever, chills, and nausea. If these adverse effects or a severe reaction occur, the infusion must be discontinued (while the patient is closely monitored) and the prescriber contacted. The other options are incorrect.

Question 4

The nurse is reviewing instructions for vaginal antifungal drugs with a patient. Which statement by the nurse is an appropriate instruction regarding these drugs?

Accepted Answer

Female patients taking antifungal medications for the treatment of vaginal infections need to abstain from sexual intercourse until the treatment has been completed and the infection has resolved. The medication needs to be taken for as long as prescribed. Instruct patients to continue to take the medication even if they are actively menstruating. Douching is not an appropriate intervention.

Question 5

A patient with a severe fungal infection has orders for voriconazole (Vfend). The nurse is reviewing the patient's medical record and would be concerned if which assessment finding is noted?

Accepted Answer

Voriconazole is contraindicated when co-administered with certain other drugs metabolized by the cytochrome P-450 enzyme 3A4 (e.g., quinidine) because of the risk for inducing serious cardiac dysrhythmias.

Question 6

The nurse is administering one of the lipid formulations of amphotericin B. When giving this drug, which concept is important to remember?

Accepted Answer

Newer lipid formulations of amphotericin B have been developed in an attempt to decrease the incidence of its adverse effects and increase its efficacy. However, the lipid formulations are more costly.

Question 7

A patient is taking nystatin (Mycostatin) oral lozenges to treat an oral candidiasis infection resulting from inhaled corticosteroid therapy for asthma. Which instruction by the nurse is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Nystatin may be given orally in the form of lozenges, or troches, which need to be slowly and completely dissolved in the mouth for optimal effects; tablets are not to be chewed or swallowed whole. The other options are incorrect. Patients taking an inhaled corticosteroid must rinse their mouths with water thoroughly after taking the inhaler.

Question 8

During therapy with amphotericin B, the nurse will monitor the patient for known adverse effects that would be reflected by which laboratory result?

Accepted Answer

The nurse needs to monitor for hypokalemia, a possible adverse effect of amphotericin B. The other options are incorrect.

Question 9

The nurse is preparing an infusion of amphotericin B for a patient who has a severe fungal infection. Which intervention is appropriate regarding the potential adverse effects of amphotericin B?

Accepted Answer

Almost all patients given the drug intravenously experience fever, chills, hypotension, tachycardia, malaise, muscle and joint pain, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, and headache. For this reason, pretreatment with an antipyretic (acetaminophen), antihistamines, and antiemetics may be conducted to decrease the severity of the infusion-related reaction. The other options are incorrect.

Question 10

A patient is infected by invasive aspergillosis, and the medical history reveals that the patient has not been able to tolerate several antifungal drugs. The nurse anticipates an order for which medication to treat this infection?

Accepted Answer

Caspofungin is used for treating severe infection by Aspergillus species (invasive aspergillosis) in patients who are intolerant of or refractory to other drugs.

Question 11

A patient will be taking fluconazole (Diflucan) 100 mg/day PO for 2 weeks. The patient is unable to swallow tablets, so an oral suspension that contains 10 mg/mL is available. Identify how many milliliters will the nurse administer with each dose. _______

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient will be taking fluconazole (Diflucan)...

Question 12

The nurse is administering an amphotericin B infusion. Which actions by the nurse are appropriate?

Accepted Answer

If the patient develops tingling and numbness in the extremities (paresthesias), discontinue the drug immediately. An infusion pump is necessary for the infusion, and the nurse will monitor the IV site for signs of phlebitis and infiltration. Premedication to reduce the adverse effects of fever, malaise, and nausea may be ordered. The IV solution must be clear and without precipitates; and muscle weakness, not twitching, may indicate hypokalemia. The medication must be administered at the rate recommended and stopped, not slowed, if adverse reactions occur.

Quiz 42: Antifungal Drugs