Deck 52: Antiemetic and Antinausea Drugs

Question 1

A patient who has AIDS has lost weight and is easily fatigued because of his malnourished state. The nurse anticipates an order for which antinausea drug to stimulate his appetite?

A) Metoclopramide (Reglan), a prokinetic drug
B) Dronabinol (Marinol), a tetrahydrocannabinoid
C) Ondansetron (Zofran), a serotonin blocker
D) Aprepitant (Emend), a substance P/NK1 receptor antagonist

Answer 1

Dronabinol (Marinol), a tetrahydrocannabinoid

Question 2

An adult patient is about to receive intravenous (IV) ondansetron (Zofran) during a chemotherapy treatment. A dose of 0.15 mg/kg IV 30 minutes before chemotherapy is ordered. The patient weighs 140 pounds. The medication is supplied in a vial marked 2 mg/mL for IV administration. Identify how many milliliters the nurse will administer for this dose. (record answer to one decimal place) _______

Answer 2

4.8 mL
Convert pounds to kilograms: 140 ÷ 2.2 = 63.6 kg.
Calculate milligrams per dose: 0.15 mg/kg × 63.6 kg = 9.54 = 9.5 mg/dose.
Calculate milliliters to be given:
2 mg:1 mL :: 9.5 mg:x mL.
(2 × x) = (1 × 9.5); 2x = 9.5; x = 4.75, which rounds to 4.8 mL.

Question 3

A patient who has been newly diagnosed with vertigo will be taking an antihistamine antiemetic drug. The nurse will include which information when teaching the patient about this drug?

A) The patient may skip doses if the patient is feeling well.
B) The patient will need to avoid driving because of possible drowsiness.
C) The patient may experience occasional problems with taste.
D) It is safe to take the medication with a glass of wine in the evening to help settle the stomach.

Answer 3

The patient will need to avoid driving because of possible drowsiness.

Question 4

A patient with motion sickness is planning a cross-country car trip and has a new prescription for a scopolamine transdermal patch (Transderm-Scop). The nurse provides teaching for the use of this patch medication. The patient shows a correct understanding of the teaching with which statement?

A) "I will change the patch every day."
B) "I will change the patch every other day."
C) "I will change the patch every 3 days."
D) "I will remove the patch only if it stops working."

Question 5

A patient who has severe nausea and vomiting following a case of food poisoning comes to the urgent care center. When reviewing his medication history, the nurse notes that he has an allergy to procaine. The nurse would question an order for which antiemetic drug if ordered for this patient?

A) Metoclopramide (Reglan)
B) Promethazine (Phenergan)
C) Phosphorated carbohydrate solution (Emetrol)
D) Palonosetron (Aloxi)

Question 6

The nurse is reviewing new postoperative orders and notes that the order reads, "Give hydroxyzine (Vistaril) 50 mg IV PRN nausea or vomiting." The patient states that he has slight nausea. Which action by the nurse is correct at this time?

A) Hold the dose until the patient states that the nausea is severe.
B) Give the dose orally instead of intravenously.
C) Give the patient the IV dose of hydroxyzine as ordered.
D) Call the prescriber to question the route that is ordered.

Question 7

A woman who is in the first trimester of pregnancy has been experiencing severe morning sickness. She asks, "I've heard that ginger tablets may be a natural way to ease the nausea and vomiting. Is it okay to try them?" What is the nurse's best response?

A) "They are a safe and natural remedy for nausea when you are pregnant."
B) "Go ahead and try them, but stop taking them once the nausea is relieved."
C) "Some health care providers do not recommend ginger during pregnancy. Let's check with your provider."
D) "You will need to wait until after the first trimester to try them."

Question 8

A patient is taking chemotherapy with a drug that has a high potential for causing nausea and vomiting. The nurse is preparing to administer an antiemetic drug. Which class of antiemetic drugs is most commonly used to prevent nausea and vomiting for patients receiving chemotherapy?

A) Prokinetic drugs, such as metoclopramide (Reglan)
B) Serotonin blockers, such as ondansetron (Zofran)
C) Anticholinergic drugs, such as scopolamine
D) Neuroleptic drugs, such as promethazine (Phenergan)

Question 9

A patient on chemotherapy is using ondansetron (Zofran) for treatment of nausea. The nurse will instruct the patient to watch for which adverse effect of this drug?

A) Dizziness
B) Diarrhea
C) Dry mouth
D) Blurred vision

Question 10

A patient is on a chemotherapy regimen in an outpatient clinic and is receiving a chemotherapy drug that is known to be highly emetogenic. The nurse will implement which interventions regarding the pharmacologic management of nausea and vomiting?

A) Giving antinausea drugs at the beginning of the chemotherapy infusion
B) Administering antinausea drugs 30 to 60 minutes before chemotherapy is started
C) For best therapeutic effects, medicating for nausea once the symptoms begin
D) Observing carefully for the adverse effects of restlessness and anxiety
E) Instructing the patient that the antinausea drugs may cause extreme drowsiness
F) Instructing the patient to rise slowly from a sitting or lying position because of possible orthostatic hypotension

Question 11

A patient is receiving a tube feeding through a gastrostomy. The nurse expects that which type of drug will be used to promote gastric emptying for this patient?

A) Prokinetic drugs, such as metoclopramide (Reglan)
B) Serotonin blockers, such as ondansetron (Zofran)
C) Anticholinergic drugs, such as scopolamine (Transderm-Scop)
D) Neuroleptic drugs, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine)

Question 12

A mother calls the pediatrician's office to report that her 18-month-old child has eaten half of a bottle of baby aspirin. She says, "I have a bottle of syrup of ipecac. Should I give it to him? He seems fine right now. What do I do?" What is the nurse's best response?

A) "Go ahead and give him the ipecac, and then call 911."
B) "Don't give him the ipecac. Call the Poison Control number immediately for instructions."
C) "Please come to the office right away so that we can check him."
D) "Go ahead and take him to the emergency room right now."