Deck 36: Drugs for Fungal, Protozoan, and Helminthic Infections

Question 1

The female client has a fungal infection and will receive nystatin (Mycostatin). What assessment data is critical for the nurse to review prior to administering this medication?

A) The type of diet the client is eating
B) The amount of fat in the client's diet
C) Whether the patient could be pregnant
D) The client's height and weight

Answer 1

Whether the patient could be pregnant

Question 2

The client receives oral nystatin (Mycostatin) suspension for an oral candidiasis infection. She tells the nurse she cannot continue to "swish and swallow" because her nausea is too great. What is the best response by the nurse?

A) "I will ask your doctor if a pill form can be substituted."
B) "Try drinking a 7-Up after you swallow the medication."
C) "It is all right to swish the medication and then spit it out."
D) "You can take a phenergan suppository before the nystatin (Mycostatin)."

Answer 2

"It is all right to swish the medication and then spit it out."

Question 3

The nurse works in infection control at a large hospital. Which client does the nurse recognize as being at greatest risk for acquiring a fungal infection?

A) The client with severe burns over 20% of the body
B) The adolescent client with a fractured femur from an auto accident
C) The client with anemia who is pregnant with triplets
D) The client with malignant melanoma who is receiving chemotherapy

Answer 3

The client with malignant melanoma who is receiving chemotherapy

Question 4

The nurse plans to provide health promotion to a group of business travelers who are going to travel to Africa. What will the best teaching plan by the nurse include?

A) Plan to take antibiotics prophylactically.
B) Plan to take protease inhibitors prophylactically.
C) Plan to receive immunizations for malaria.
D) Plan to take antimalarial drugs prophylactically.

Question 5

Treatment for malaria involves

A) multidrug therapy.
B) single-drug therapy.
C) dietary restrictions.
D) topical drug therapy.

Question 6

The client receives terbinafine (Lamisil) as treatment for a fungal infection of the toenails. What is an important assessment question for the nurse to ask?

A) "Are you HIV-positive?"
B) "How do you clean and clip your toenails?"
C) "Do you have diabetes mellitus?"
D) "What analgesic do you take for headaches?"

Question 7

The client is noncompliant with taking medications to prevent malaria prior to an overseas business trip. The nurse identifies which rationale for this action is most likely?

A) The taste of the various tablets was really too offensive to the client.
B) The medication dosing was too frequent for the client to tolerate.
C) The cost of the medications was too high for the client's budget.
D) The side effects of vomiting and diarrhea were too uncomfortable.

Question 8

The nurse is preparing to administer a topical, oral antifungal medication to an adult client. The nurse will administer the medication

A) alone and will allow the client to swish and swallow the medication.
B) with other medications.
C) with milk.
D) with water.

Question 9

The client receives nystatin (Nilstat) for a fungal infection in the mouth. The nurse plans to do medication education prior to discharge. What will the best plan by the nurse include?

A) Dissolve the oral tablet in your mouth and then swallow it.
B) Take the oral suspension with a straw to prevent tooth discoloration.
C) Crush the oral tablet, mix it with orange juice, and then swallow it.
D) Swallow the oral tablet whole without chewing or crushing it.

Question 10

Which client is at the greatest risk of acquiring a serious fungal infection?

A) A teenager with no health problems
B) A client with a history of heart problems
C) A client with diabetes mellitus
D) A client who is immunosuppressed

Question 11

The client has a fungal infection of the toenails and receives oral terbinafine (Lamisil). The client asks the nurse how a pill will heal his nail infection. What is the best response by the nurse?

A) "The medication accumulates in your nail beds and is there for many months."
B) "The medication should be combined with a topical agent to increase effectiveness."
C) "The medication works by destroying toxins excreted by the fungi in your nails."
D) "The medication works by destroying circulating fungi in your blood."

Question 12

The nurse does medication education for the client with histoplasmosis who receives ketoconazole (Nizoral). The nurse evaluates that learning has occurred when the client makes which statement?

A) "I cannot take this medication longer than 10 days."
B) "I could develop resistance to this medication if I take it too often."
C) "I could develop nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain with this medication."
D) "I can't take my diabetes medicine with this drug."

Question 13

The mechanism of action of azole systemic antifungal agents is to

A) interfere with the synthesis of ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane.
B) concentrate in the food source of the infecting agent.
C) bind to steroids in the fungal cell membrane.
D) kill fungal growth.

Question 14

A patient with a severe systemic fungal infection will be treated with amphotericin B (Fungizone). What nursing interventions are required?

A) Administer the medication by IV push.
B) Give acetaminophen before giving the amphotericin B (Fungizone).
C) Review BUN level.
D) Give corticosteroids 1 hour after infusion is completed.
E) Monitor for gastrointestinal bleeding.

Question 15

The client has had malaria for many years. He asks the nurse why medications might not cure his illness when there are several drugs available. What is the best response by the nurse?

A) "When erythrocytes rupture, the parasites are too numerous for medications to be effective."
B) "Late in the illness, the immune system is too overwhelmed for medications to be effective."
C) "Once the parasite starts multiplying in your liver, medications are usually ineffective."
D) "When cysts occur late in the disease, the parasite is too resistant for medications to be effective."

Question 16

The client receives amphotericin B (Fungizone) for histoplasmosis. What does the best assessment by the nurse include?

A) Serum amylase
B) Serum sodium
C) Blood urea nitrogen
D) Serum glucose
E) Serum creatinine

Question 17

A patient has been diagnosed with trichomoniasis. The nurse would give which medication without questioning the prescription

A) Praziquantel (Biltricide.
B) Chloroquine (Aralen).
C) Nitazoxanide (Alinia).
D) Metronidazole (Flagyl).

Question 18

The client is being treated for pinworms with mebendazole (Vermox). The nurse has completed medication education and evaluates that learning has occurred when the client makes which statement?

A) "I need high-fiber foods to help with passage of the worms."
B) "I should chew this tablet."
C) "I must avoid aspirin while I am on this medication."
D) "I need to have three negative stool cultures before I am cured."

Question 19

The nursing instructor teaches the student nurses about fungal infections. The nursing instructor evaluates that learning has occurred when the student nurses make which statements?

A) "Superficial infections are more difficult to treat than systemic infections."
B) "Newer medications can be used for superficial as well as systemic infections."
C) "Systemic infections are much more common than superficial infections."
D) "Superficial infections are considered more benign than systemic infections."
E) "Systemic infections require oral medications that have serious adverse effects."

Question 20

Superficial fungal infections differ from systemic fungal infections in that superficial fungal infections

A) can be fatal.
B) affect hair and skin.
C) are less common.
D) affect internal organs.

Question 21

An antifungal topical cream has been prescribed to treat a patient's tinea pedis. What information should the nurse provide?

A) "You may notice burning when you apply this medication."
B) "You should take precautions against spreading your disease."
C) "This drug is absorbed into your system and may make you nauseated."
D) "Expect to use this medication for an extended period of time."
E) "Don't drink coffee while you are using this drug."

Question 22

A mother is distressed because her child has been diagnosed with ascariasis. What information should the nurse provide?

A) "Your child has pinworms."
B) "Children get worms from playing in infected soil."
C) "Treatment will consist of medication for 3 days."
D) "No treatment will be necessary after I give this one pill."
E) "No treatment is necessary; the worms will die on their own."

Question 23

The parents of a child diagnosed with pinworms are reluctant to give the prescribed medication. The father says, "We hate to give our child such a toxic medication." What information should the nurse provide?

A) "Very little of the drug is absorbed into the system."
B) "Severe infestations can result in malabsorption."
C) "It is critical that you give this medication."
D) "Many types of pinworms are resistant to treatment."
E) "There is increased risk for bacterial infection when worms are present."

Question 24

A mother calls the emergency department and says, "My 5-year-old just took four chloroquine (Aralen) that my husband was prescribed because he is going to Africa." What should the nurse advise?

A) "There should be no adverse effects."
B) "Watch your child for nausea or vomiting."
C) "Bring your child to the emergency department immediately."
D) "Call 911 and watch your child for seizure activity until they arrive."
E) "There should be no problem unless your child has kidney disease."

Question 25

An infant is prescribed nystatin (Mycostatin) for treatment of infant oral candidiasis, or thrush. Which information should the nurse provide to the infant's caregiver in regard to this medication?

A) Give the medication right before a feeding.
B) Give the infant a small amount of water prior to administering the medication.
C) Use a cotton swab to place medication in several parts of the infant's mouth.
D) The infant should not breastfeed until this infection is gone.
E) The breastfeeding mother may also require treatment.

Question 26

A nurse is providing community education after an outbreak of amebiasis at a summer camp. What information should the nurse provide?

A) "The primary symptom is diarrhea."
B) "Severe muscle cramping is a common symptom."
C) "Amebiasis may damage the liver."
D) "Brain abscesses are the typical fatal event."
E) "Amebiasis is contracted through contact with contaminated water."

Question 27

A client is receiving amphotericin B. The nurse will reinforce teaching by telling the client that he should report which symptoms?

A) Feeling hot
B) Hearing loss
C) Dizziness
D) Constipation
E) Heartburn

Question 28

A client has been prescribed a topical antifungal medication for treatment of ringworm. What teaching should the nurse provide?

A) Avoid alcohol while using this medication.
B) Scrub the area vigorously prior to applying the medication.
C) Cover the area with an occlusive dressing after applying the medication.
D) Apply a thin layer of the medication.
E) After applying the medication, let the area air-dry.

Question 29

A client receives metronidazole (Flagyl) for treatment of a vaginal yeast infection. What should the nurse include in medication education for this client?

A) Do not drink alcohol with this medication.
B) Do not take this medication with milk or milk products.
C) Drink at least 3000 mL of fluid per day with this medication.
D) Do not become pregnant while taking this medication.
E) You may experience a metallic taste while on this medication.

Question 30

A patient is prescribed chloroquine (Aralen) for the prevention of malaria. What information should the nurse provide regarding the time frame for administration?

A) "Start taking this medication 2 weeks before you go on your trip."
B) "Take the medicine regularly during your trip."
C) "Take one dose now, one dose daily during your trip, and one dose once you return home."
D) "Take the medication for 6 weeks after your trip is completed."
E) "Always take an antacid when you take your dose of medication."