Deck 37: Drugs for Viral Infections

Question 1

A client asks the nurse why there aren't better drugs for HIV infection when so much money is spent on research. Which response should the nurse provide?

A) "Antiviral drugs are difficult to create."
B) "Developing new drugs is difficult because the virus mutates so readily."
C) "Developing new drugs is difficult because of the perception that AIDS is no longer a problem."
D) "Developing new drugs is difficult because we still do not understand the virus."

Answer 1

"Developing new drugs is difficult because the virus mutates so readily."

Question 2

Which should the nurse recognize as the primary factor for nonadherence to the prescribed treatment for clients with AIDS?

A) The necessity of having to take multiple medications throughout the day
B) A lack of understanding of the reason for taking the medications
C) The weight gain associated with the medications
D) The difficulty with availability of medications to treat AIDS

Answer 2

The necessity of having to take multiple medications throughout the day

Question 3

Which outcome should the nurse anticipate for a client with herpes receiving acyclovir (Zovirax)?

A) Absence of a reoccurrence of infection in the affected area.
B) Identification of the names of the client's sexual contacts in the past month.
C) Report of decreased pain using the approved pain scale.
D) Report of a decrease in the number of lesions in the affected area.

Answer 3

Report of decreased pain using the approved pain scale.

Question 4

Which information should the nurse include in the teaching for the client prescribed ganciclovir (Cytovene)?

A) "This drug will need to be applied multiple times a day."
B) "You can expect some burning and stinging after the instillation of the prescription."
C) "You may experience sensitivity to light after the use of the prescription."
D) "You may notice your eyes becoming swollen with the use of this prescription."

Question 5

Which describes the primary purpose of the use of pharmacotherapy to treat herpes viruses? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Decreases the frequency of herpes episodes
B) Decreases the risk of secondary infections
C) Inactivates the herpes virus
D) Diminishes the intensity of the acute disease
E) Decreases the risk of spreading the infection

Question 6

Which adverse effects should the nurse monitor for in a client receiving acyclovir (Zovirax)?

A) Auditory and visual hallucinations
B) Increased serum creatinine
C) Respiratory distress
D) Thrombocytopenia

Question 7

Which describes a major characteristic of viruses?

A) Extracellular parasites
B) Intracellular parasites
C) Extracellular bacterial in nature
D) Intracellular bacterial in nature

Question 8

The nurse has provided education for a client with AIDS prescribed antiviral treatment. Which statement made by the client indicates an understanding of the information?

A) "I will need to limit my travel to avoid people with other infections."
B) "I will need to be on a high-calorie diet to enhance the effect of the medication."
C) "I will still need to take precautions to avoid spreading the virus to others."
D) "I will not be able to continue working at my high-stress job anymore."

Question 9

The nurse provides client education about viruses. Which statement made by the client indicates an understanding of the information? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) "Viruses are nonliving particles."
B) "The structure of viruses is complex."
C) "Viruses can infect plants as well as animals."
D) "A virion is a mature virus."
E) "Viruses are intracellular parasites."

Question 10

The nurse has completed the teaching for a client with HIV prescribed zidovudine (Retrovir). Which statement made by the client indicates further teaching is required?

A) "Zidovudine (Retrovir) will need to be stopped if bone marrow depression occurs."
B) "Zidovudine (Retrovir) will slow the disease, but not cure it."
C) "Zidovudine (Retrovir) prevents spread of the virus through sexual contact."
D) "Zidovudine (Retrovir) therapy frequently results in the development of anemia."

Question 11

Which laboratory test should the nurse use to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment with antiviral prescriptions?

A) CD4 T-cell count
B) Viral load
C) T4 lymphocyte count
D) Viral cultures

Question 12

Which laboratory test is used to evaluate the degree of damage to the immune system caused by HIV?

A) Platelets
B) Liver function studies
C) CD4 T-cell count
D) Complete blood count

Question 13

Which describes the primary purpose of general pharmacotherapy for the treatment of HIV/AIDS?

A) Eliminate viral load
B) Relieve symptoms for a longer period of time
C) Decrease general transmission
D) Stop the virus from replicating

Question 14

For which adverse effect should the nurse assess a client prescribed efavirenz (Sustiva)?

A) Cardiac arrest
B) Rash
C) Bone marrow suppression
D) Seizures

Question 15

A client has just been prescribed highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of AIDS. Which teaching point is a priority for this client?

A) Medications must be taken for 3 years after viral load is not measurable.
B) The goal of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is to reduce plasma human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) ribonucleic acid (RNA) to the lowest possible level.
C) Taking medications as scheduled is vital to successful treatment.
D) Know which medications target which phases of the HIV replication cycle.

Question 16

Which information should the nurse include in the teaching for a client prescribed an antiretroviral agent?

A) Monitor your blood pressure daily.
B) Weigh yourself daily.
C) Use barrier protection when genital lesions are present.
D) Practice good handwashing.

Question 17

A pregnant client with AIDS asks the nurse if her baby will die of AIDS. Which response should the nurse provide?

A) "There are special tests that we can do to see if your unborn baby is positive."
B) "Acquired immune deficiency can be unpredictable in the newborn."
C) "Drug therapy can help prevent your child from contracting the virus."
D) "There are drugs that can be given after birth to reverse the disease process."

Question 18

Which question should the nurse ask the client who has been receiving dolutegravir (DTG)?

A) "How have you been sleeping?"
B) "Are you having any trouble with constipation?"
C) "Are you experiencing any dizziness in the morning?"
D) "Have you had any difficulty urinating?"

Question 19

A client with AIDS asks the nurse why he must take so many prescriptions. Which response should the nurse provide the client?

A) "To decrease the possibility of the virus developing resistance to the medications."
B) "Research has shown single medications to be ineffective."
C) "Because the earlier we start multiple medications, the better the outcome."
D) "To provide you with the most effective treatment for your illness."

Question 20

The nurse notifies the supervisor after accidentally sticking herself with a needle while starting an intravenous (IV) line on a client with AIDS. Which response should the supervisor provide the nurse to decrease her anxiety?

A) "If you are started on medications soon, it will decrease the severity of the disease."
B) "Workers' compensation will cover the cost of your illness and medications."
C) "Did you use the hospital protocols for starting IV lines on a client with AIDS?"
D) "Fortunately, the chances of you contracting HIV after the stick are very small."

Question 21

A client suspected of having hepatitis C asks the nurse why cultures are being obtained when hepatitis is a virus. Which response should the nurse provide the client?

A) "Obtaining a culture will rule out a bacterial infection."
B) "There is a strain of hepatitis C that is a combination of a bacteria and virus.
C) "Hepatitis C viruses can be cultured."
D) "Cultures are needed to rule out a bacterial infection."

Question 22

Which information should the nurse include in the client teaching about pharmacotherapy for influenza?

A) Antiviral prescriptions can increase resistance to other strains of the flu.
B) Antiviral prescriptions should be administered within 72 hours of flu symptoms occurring.
C) Antiviral prescriptions decrease the risk of transmission of the flu.
D) Antiviral prescriptions can be used to treat active influenza infections.

Question 23

A pregnant client with HIV receiving zidovudine asks the nurse why they will not test the newborn for HIV immediately after birth. Which response should the nurse provide?

A) "Since you are taking zidovudine, a test at birth will not be accurate."
B) "The tests are much more accurate when your baby gets to be 1 week old."
C) "Testing will continue until your baby is 1 year old."
D) "The most sensitive test is the one done at 6 months of age."

Question 24

For a client receiving zidovudine (Retrovir), for which adverse reactions should the nurse increase surveillance? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) Fatigue and generalized weakness
B) New onset headache
C) Constipation
D) Edema
E) Liver palpable on physical examination

Question 25

Which information should the nurse provide the client prescribed oseltamivir (Tamiflu)? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) This prescription is administered via inhalation.
B) This prescription should be taken immediately.
C) This prescription will keep you from getting the flu.
D) This is an expensive prescription.
E) This prescription will be helpful if you have influenza or a cold.

Question 26

A client recovering from hepatitis B asks the nurse if he is immune to hepatitis B. Which information should the nurse provide the client? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) "You are now immune to getting hepatitis B again."
B) "Chronic hepatitis B may take years to develop."
C) "If your immune system weakens, you can acquire a new case of hepatitis B."
D) "Annual hepatitis immunoglobulin will prevent you from acquiring the illness again."
E) "One dose of interferon will boost your immunity to hepatitis B."

Question 27

A client with hepatitis C asks the nurse what his chance is of developing chronic hepatitis C. Which information should the nurse provide?

A) "The risk of you developing chronic hepatitis C is based on your immunity."
B) "The risk of you developing chronic hepatitis C is about 70%."
C) "The risk of you developing chronic hepatitis C is about 40%."
D) "The risk of you developing chronic hepatitis C is based on your compliance with the initial treatment."

Question 28

Which information should the nurse include in the teaching for a client prescribed hepatitis A immunoglobulin after being exposed to hepatitis A?

A) You will need another booster in 6 months.
B) If you plan on traveling out of the country, you will need another injection.
C) This injection may keep you from contracting hepatitis A.
D) You will not need to worry about contracting hepatitis A for the next 5 to 8 years.

Question 29

Which statements should the supervisor use to respond to a newly employed nurse who states, "I am not certain I want to get a hepatitis shot"? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) "Working in a hospital puts you at a higher risk for being exposed to hepatitis B."
B) "You can be protected from hepatitis B with one immunization."
C) "This immunization is administered to children before they are 2 years old."
D) "If you don't get this vaccine, you must wear gloves at all times."
E) "The vaccine is 90% effective in preventing hepatitis B."

Question 30

Which individual should receive a hepatitis B vaccine? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

A) All newborn infants
B) Clients with HIV
C) International travelers
D) People who are incarcerated
E) People with alcoholism