Deck 54: Anemia Drugs

Question 1

A woman who is planning to become pregnant should ensure that she receives adequate levels of which supplement to reduce the risk for fetal neural tube defects?

A) Vitamin B??
B) Vitamin D
C) Iron
D) Folic acid

Answer 1

Folic acid

Question 2

The nurse is administering folic acid to a patient with a new diagnosis of anemia. Which statement about treatment with folic acid is true?

A) Folic acid is used to treat any type of anemia.
B) Folic acid is used to treat iron-deficiency anemia.
C) Folic acid is used to treat pernicious anemia.
D) The specific cause of the anemia needs to be determined before treatment.

Answer 2

The specific cause of the anemia needs to be determined before treatment.

Question 3

The nurse is teaching a patient with iron-deficiency anemia about foods to increase iron intake. Which food may enhance the absorption of oral iron forms?

A) Milk
B) Yogurt
C) Antacids
D) Orange juice

Answer 3

Orange juice

Question 4

The nurse will teach a patient who is receiving oral iron supplements to watch for which expected adverse effects?

A) Palpitations
B) Drowsiness and dizziness
C) Black, tarry stools
D) Orange-red discoloration of the urine

Question 5

The nurse is reviewing the medical record of a patient before giving a new order for iron sucrose (Venofer). Which statement regarding the administration of iron sucrose is correct?

A) The medication is given with food to reduce gastric distress.
B) Iron sucrose is contraindicated if the patient has renal disease.
C) A test dose will be administered before the full dose is given.
D) The nurse will monitor the patient for hypotension during the infusion.

Question 6

The nurse is administering liquid oral iron supplements. Which intervention is appropriate when administering this medication?

A) Have the patient take the liquid iron with milk.
B) Instruct the patient to take the medication through a plastic straw.
C) Have the patient sip the medication slowly.
D) Have the patient drink the medication, undiluted, from the unit-dose cup.

Question 7

During therapy with the hematopoietic drug epoetin alfa (Epogen), the nurse instructs the patient about adverse effects that may occur, such as:

A) anxiety.
B) drowsiness.
C) hypertension.
D) constipation.

Question 8

A patient is to receive iron dextran injections. Which technique is appropriate when the nurse is administering this medication?

A) Intravenous administration mixed with 5% dextrose
B) Intramuscular injection in the upper arm
C) Intramuscular injection using the Z-track method
D) Subcutaneous injection into the abdomen

Question 9

A patient will be taking oral iron supplements at home. The nurse will include which statements in the teaching plan for this patient?

A) Take the iron tablets with meals to reduce GI upset.
B) Take the iron tablets on an empty stomach 1 hour before meals.
C) Take the iron tablets with an antacid to prevent heartburn.
D) Drink 8 ounces of milk with each iron dose.
E) Taking iron supplements with orange juice enhances iron absorption.
F) Stools may become loose and light in color.
G) Stools may become black and tarry.
H) Tablets may be crushed to enhance iron absorption.

Question 10

A nurse is giving instructions to a patient who will be receiving oral iron supplements. Which instructions will be included in the teaching plan?

A) Take the iron tablets with milk or antacids.
B) Crush the pills as needed to help with swallowing.
C) Take the iron tablets with meals if gastrointestinal distress occurs.
D) If black tarry stools occur, report it to the doctor immediately.

Question 11

A patient will be receiving epoetin alfa (Epogen) 8000 units IV three times a week. The medication is available in a vial that contains 10,000 units/mL. How many milliliters will the nurse draw up for this dose? _______

Question 12

The nurse is administering intravenous iron dextran for the first time to a patient with anemia. After giving a test dose, how long will the nurse wait before administering the remaining portion of the dose?

A) 30 minutes
B) 1 hour
C) 6 hours
D) 24 hours

Question 13

A patient has been receiving epoetin alfa (Epogen) for severe iron-deficiency anemia. Today, the provider changed the order to darbepoetin (Aranesp). The patient questions the nurse, "What is the difference in these drugs?" Which response by the nurse is correct?

A) "There is no difference in these two drugs."
B) "Aranesp works faster than Epogen to raise your red blood cell count."
C) "Aranesp is given by mouth, so you will not need to have injections."
D) "Aranesp is a longer-acting form, so you will receive fewer injections."

Question 14

A patient with end-stage renal failure has been admitted to the hospital for severe anemia. The patient is refusing blood transfusions. The nurse anticipates drug therapy with which drug to stimulate the production of red blood cells?

A) Folic acid
B) Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B??)
C) Epoetin alfa (Epogen)
D) Filgrastim (Neupogen)

Question 15

An oral iron supplement is prescribed for a patient. The nurse would question this order if the patient's medical history includes which condition?

A) Decreased hemoglobin
B) Hemolytic anemia
C) Weakness
D) Concurrent therapy with erythropoietics

Question 16

A cancer patient is receiving drug therapy with epoetin alfa (Epogen). The nurse knows that the medication must be stopped if which laboratory result is noted?

A) White blood cell count of 550 cells/mm3
B) Hemoglobin level of 12 g/dL
C) Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
D) Glucose level of 78 mg/dL

Question 17

A 2-year-old child will be receiving ferrous sulfate oral drops (Fer-Iron) 5 mg/kg/day in three divided doses. The child weighs 26 pounds. Identify how many milligrams the nurse will administer per dose. (record answer using one decimal place) _______

Question 18

A patient has been taking iron supplements for anemia for 2 months. During a follow-up assessment, the nurse will observe for which therapeutic response?

A) Decreased weight
B) Increased activity tolerance
C) Decreased palpitations
D) Increased appetite