Deck 55: Adult and Pediatric Emergency Drugs

Question 1

A patient with suspected myocardial infarction is seen in the emergency department.The nurse is preparing to administer 325 mg of aspirin.The nurse will perform which action?

A) Administer an enteric-coated tablet.
B) Ask the patient to chew the tablet.
C) Give the tablet with a small sip of water.
D) Place the tablet under the patient's tongue.

Answer 1

Ask the patient to chew the tablet.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving magnesium sulfate for ventricular tachycardia.The nurse assesses a heart rate of 68 beats per minute,a respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute,a blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg,and decreased deep tendon reflexes.The nurse understands that these are signs of which condition?

A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypermagnesemia
C) Impending cardiac arrest
D) Renal compromise

Answer 2

Hypermagnesemia

Question 3

A patient who is experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath is brought to the emergency department.The nurse assesses a heart rate of 98 beats per minute,bilateral lung crackles,and an oxygen saturation of 93%.What drug will the nurse expect to administer initially to this patient?

A) Albuterol
B) Aspirin
C) Nitroglycerin
D) Oxygen

Answer 3

Oxygen

Question 4

The nurse is administering amiodarone to a patient who is being treated for a ventricular arrhythmia.The patient has received a bolus of 150 mg of amiodarone IV and is now receiving a continuous infusion of 1 mg/min.The nurse notes a heart rate of 60 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 88/54 mm Hg.The nurse will notify the provider and perform which other action?

A) Continue the amiodarone infusion at 1 mg/min.
B) Decrease the rate of the amiodarone infusion to 0.5 mg/min.
C) Increase the rate of the amiodarone infusion to 1.5 mg/min.
D) Stop the infusion of amiodarone.

Question 5

An unconscious patient is brought to the emergency department and intubated after respiratory arrest.The patient has a regular pulse.The patient's spouse suspects an overdose of drugs but does not know which drug may have been taken.The nurse will anticipate giving which medication or performing which treatment?

A) Activated charcoal
B) Flumazenil
C) Gastric lavage
D) Naloxone

Question 6

A patient is brought to the emergency department with severe wheezing,dyspnea,and peripheral edema.The nurse assesses a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute,a heart rate of 88 beats per minute,and a blood pressure of 88/54 mm Hg.Which medication does the nurse expect to be given initially?

A) Albuterol
B) Diphenhydramine
C) Dopamine
D) Epinephrine

Question 7

A patient is brought to the emergency department after coming in contact with organophosphate insecticides while at work.The nurse will expect to administer which medication to reverse the toxic effects of this substance?

A) Atropine sulfate
B) Diazepam
C) Epinephrine
D) Flumazenil

Question 8

A patient with angina has been given 0.4 mg of nitroglycerin SL.The patient reports continued chest pain 5 min later.The nurse assesses a heart rate of 84 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 88/68 mm Hg.The nurse will take which action?

A) Administer 0.4 mg of nitroglycerin SL.
B) Administer 0.3 mg of nitroglycerin SL.
C) Give nitroglycerin by translingual spray.
D) Notify the provider of the patient's vital signs.

Question 9

A patient with congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema is experiencing chest pain.The patient has an order for morphine sulfate IV 4 mg every 5-30 min PRN until chest pain is relieved.The last dose of 4 mg was 15 min prior,and the patient is complaining of chest pain and exhibiting increased work of breathing.The nurse notes a heart rate of 82 beats per minute,a respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute,and a blood pressure of 135/88 mm Hg.What will the nurse do next?

A) Administer morphine sulfate IV 4 mg over 1-5 min.
B) Administer naloxone (Narcan) to reverse respiratory depression.
C) Request an order for morphine sulfate IV 2 mg over 1-5 min.
D) Hold the next dose and notify the provider of the patient's symptoms.

Question 10

During resuscitation of a 5-year-old child,the provider requests an intravenous dose of 1 mL of epinephrine to be given STAT.The nurse will perform which action?

A) Ask the provider to clarify the dose and the concentration.
B) Draw up the dose and give it as a rapid intravenous bolus.
C) Give the dose as a slow intravenous bolus and monitor vital signs.
D) Request an order to give the dose via endotracheal tube.

Question 11

An 18-month-old toddler is in the emergency department with poor feeding and lethargy.The nurse assesses a rapid,thready pulse,which is too fast to count.The nurse will expect the provider to order which medication to treat this condition?

A) Adenosine
B) Albuterol
C) Atropine
D) Theophylline