Question 1

A patient presents to the clinic with pediculosis (head lice). Which of the following will most likely be prescribed?&#10;A) metronidazole (Flagyl)&#10;B) ivermectin (Nix)&#10;C) chloroquine (Arelen)&#10;D) praziquantel (Biltricide)

Accepted Answer

Ivermectin (Nix) is a medication commonly used to treat pediculosis (head lice). Metronidazole (Flagyl) is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial and parasitic infections, but is not effective against lice. Chloroquine (Arelen) is an antimalarial drug and praziquantel (Biltricide) is used to treat tapeworm infections, neither of which would be effective against head lice.

Question 2

A patient will take an anthelmintic medication and asks the nurse about common side effects. The nurse will tell the patient that anthelmintic drugs:&#10;A) can cause hepatic toxicity.&#10;B) Most commonly cause orthostatic hypotension.&#10;C) Most commonly result in gastrointestinal (GI) side effects.&#10;D) have many serious adverse reactions.

Accepted Answer

Anthelmintic drugs commonly result in gastrointestinal (GI) side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, but serious adverse reactions are rare. Hepatic toxicity and orthostatic hypotension are not common side effects of anthelmintic drugs.

Question 3

A young adult female is prescribed metronidazole (Flagyl) to treat trichomoniasis. Which of the following is FALSE regarding metronidazole?&#10;A) Metronidazole is not appropriate for this patient because it is only indicated for bacterial infections.&#10;B) Alcohol use is contraindicated.&#10;C) Metronidazole is available in multiple dosage forms, including oral, topical, intravaginal, and IV products.&#10;D) Metronidazole can be used for both bacterial and protozoal infections.

Accepted Answer

Metronidazole is actually indicated for protozoal infections, including trichomoniasis. It is not appropriate for bacterial infections alone.

Question 4

A patient who has traveled to an area with prevalent malaria has chills, fever, and diaphoresis. The nurse recognizes this as which phase of malarial infection?&#10;A) An erythrocytic phase&#10;B) An incubation phase&#10;C) A prodromal phase&#10;D) A tissue phase

Accepted Answer

The erythrocytic phase of malaria is characterized by the symptoms of chills, fever, and diaphoresis. This phase occurs when the malaria parasites infect and multiply within the red blood cells, leading to their rupture and the release of more parasites into the bloodstream, causing these symptoms.

Question 5

The nurse is preparing to administer an intravenous polymyxin antibiotic. The patient reports dizziness along with numbness and tingling of the hands and feet. The nurse will perform which action?&#10;A) Administer the drug since these are harmless side effects.&#10;B) Hold the drug and notify the provider of these adverse reactions.&#10;C) Obtain an order for an oral form of this medication.&#10;D) Request an order for serum electrolytes.

Accepted Answer

Dizziness, numbness, and tingling of the hands and feet are adverse reactions and may indicate peripheral neuropathy. These symptoms require the nurse to hold the drug immediately and notify the provider.

Question 6

A child is being treated for pinworms, and the parent asks the nurse how to prevent spreading this to other family members. What will the nurse tell the parent?&#10;A) &#34;Give your child baths every day.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;Obtain a daily stool specimen from your child.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;Change sheets, bedclothes, towels and underwear weekly.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;Your child should wash hands well before meals and after using the toilet.&#34;

Accepted Answer

The most effective way to prevent the spread of pinworms to other family members is through good hand hygiene. The child should wash their hands well before meals and after using the toilet. This will help prevent the spread of pinworm eggs, which can easily be picked up from contaminated surfaces and then ingested. Bathing every day and changing bedclothes and towels weekly can also help prevent the spread of pinworms, but hand hygiene is the most important measure. Obtaining a daily stool specimen is not necessary for preventing the spread of pinworms.

Question 7

A patient is taking chloroquine (Aralen) to treat acute malaria. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of this medication?&#10;A) &#34;I should abstain from alcohol while taking this medication.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;I will have to take this medication indefinitely to avoid recurrence of my infection.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;I should report visual changes immediately.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;I should take this drug on an empty stomach.&#34;

Accepted Answer

Chloroquine can cause visual changes or retinopathy, which can be irreversible. Therefore, patients taking chloroquine should report any visual changes immediately to their healthcare provider. Option A is incorrect because there is no clear interaction between chloroquine and alcohol. Option B is incorrect because chloroquine is only used for a limited duration to treat acute malaria. Option D is incorrect because chloroquine should be taken with food to prevent stomach upset.

Question 8

A child is diagnosed with pinworms. Which anthelmintic drug will the provider likely order for this child?&#10;A) Bithionol (Bitin)&#10;B) Diethylcarbamazine (Hetrazan)&#10;C) Pyrantel pamoate (Pin Rid)&#10;D) Praziquantel (Biltricide)

Accepted Answer

Pyrantel pamoate (Pin Rid) is the primary drug of choice for the treatment of pinworm infections. Bithionol and praziquantel are used to treat other types of parasitic infections, and diethylcarbamazine is not effective against pinworms.

Question 9

A patient is preparing to travel to a country with prevalent malaria. To prevent contracting the disease, the provider has ordered chloroquine HCl (Aralen). The nurse will instruct the patient to take this drug according to which schedule?

A) 500 mg weekly beginning 2 weeks prior to travel and continuing for 8 weeks after travel
B) 1000 mg weekly beginning 2 weeks prior to travel and continuing for 8 weeks after travel
C) 500 mg once followed by 500 mg per dose in 6 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours
D) 1000 mg once daily for 2 days followed by 500 mg daily for 2 to 3 weeks

Accepted Answer

The correct dosing schedule for chloroquine HCl (Aralen) for malaria prophylaxis is 500 mg weekly beginning 2 weeks prior to travel and continuing for 8 weeks after travel. Option B is incorrect as it would result in taking a higher dose than recommended. Option C is incorrect as it is the treatment regimen for an acute malaria infection, not prophylaxis. Option D is incorrect as it involves a higher initial dose and a longer duration of treatment than recommended for prophylaxis.

Deck 28: Peptides, Antimalarials, and Anthelmintics