Deck 35: Drugs for Fungal, Protozoal, and Helminthic Infections

Question 1

Treatment for malaria involves
1)multi-drug therapy.
2)single-drug therapy.
3)dietary restrictions.
4)topical drug therapy.

Answer 1

1

Question 2

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

Answer 2

4

Question 3

The client receives terbinafine (Lamisil)as treatment for a fungal infection of the toenails.What is an important assessment for the nurse to ask?
1)"Are you HIV-positive?"
2)"How do you clean and clip your toenails?"
3)"Do you have diabetes mellitus?"
4)"What analgesic do you take for headaches?"

Answer 3

4

Question 4

The mechanism of action of systemic antifungal agents is to
1)interfere with the synthesis of ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane.
2)bind to toxic levels of parasite in the red blood cells.
3)bind to steroids in the fungal cell membrane.
4)kill fungal growth.

Question 5

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?
1)Dissolve the oral tablet in your mouth and then swallow it.
2)Take the oral suspension with a straw to prevent tooth discoloration.
3)Crush the oral tablet,mix it with orange juice,and then swallow it.
4)Swallow the oral tablet whole without chewing or crushing it.

Question 6

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?
1)"I cannot take this medication longer than 10 days."
2)"I could develop resistance to this medication if I take it too often."
3)"I could develop nausea,vomiting,and abdominal pain with this medication."
4)"I can't take my diabetes medicine with this drug."

Question 7

The client has scalp ringworm and is being treated with econazole (Spectazole).What are the best discharge instructions by the nurse?
1)"Weigh yourself daily while using this medication."
2)"Avoid meat and high protein foods with this medication."
3)"Do not share any towels with family members."
4)"Wash your head at least three times a day for 2 weeks."

Question 8

Superficial fungal infections differ from systemic fungal infections in that superficial fungal infections
1)can be fatal.
2)affect hair and skin.
3)are less common.
4)affect internal organs.

Question 9

The female client has a fungal infection and will receive nystatin (Mycostatin).What assessment data is critical for the nurse to collect prior to administering this medication?
1)The type of diet the client is eating
2)The amount of fat in the client's diet
3)The type of birth control the client is using
4)The client's height and weight

Question 10

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?
1)The client with severe burns over 20% of the body
2)The adolescent client with a fractured femur from an auto accident
3)The client with anemia who is pregnant with triplets
4)The client with malignant melanoma who is receiving chemotherapy

Question 11

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

Question 12

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? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
1)"Superficial infections are more difficult to treat than systemic infections."
2)"Newer medications can be used for superficial as well as systemic infections."
3)"Systemic infections are much more common than superficial infections."
4)"Superficial infections are considered more benign than systemic infections."
5)"Systemic infections require oral medications that have serious adverse effects."

Question 13

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?
1)"I need high-fiber foods to help with passage of the worms."
2)"I should chew this tablet."
3)"I must avoid aspirin while I am on this medication."
4)"I need to have three negative stool cultures before I am cured."

Question 14

The client receives amphotericin B (Fungizone)for histoplasmosis.What does the best assessment by the nurse include? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
1)Serum amylase
2)Serum sodium
3)Blood urea nitrogen
4)Serum glucose
5)Serum creatinine

Question 15

The client is noncompliant with taking medications to prevent malaria prior to an overseas business trip.What will the best assessment by the nurse reveal?
1)The taste of the various tablets was really too offensive to the client.
2)The medication dosing was too frequent for the client to tolerate.
3)The cost of the medications was too high for the client's budget.
4)The side effects of vomiting and diarrhea were too uncomfortable.

Question 16

Which client is at the greatest risk of acquiring a serious fungal infection?
1)A teenager with no health problems
2)A client with a history of heart problems
3)A client with diabetes mellitus
4)A client who is immunosuppressed

Question 17

The nurse is preparing to administer a topical,oral antifungal medication to an adult client.The nurse will administer the medication
1)alone,and will allow the client to swish and swallow the medication.
2)with other medications.
3)with milk.
4)with water.

Question 18

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

Question 19

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?
1)Plan to take antibiotics prophylactically.
2)Plan to take protease inhibitors prophylactically.
3)Plan to receive immunizations for malaria.
4)Plan to take antimalarial drugs prophylactically.

Question 20

The drug that most likely will be used for treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis is
1)praziquantel (Biltricide).
2)pyrimethamine (Daraprim).
3)suramin (Germanin).
4)metronidazole (Flagyl).

Question 21

An infant is prescribed fluconazole (Diflucan)for treatment of infant oral candidiasis or thrush.Which information should the nurse provide to the infant's caregiver in regard to this medication? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
1)Give the medication right before a feeding.
2)Give the infant a small amount of water prior to administering the medication.
3)Use a dosage syringe to place medication in several parts of the infant's mouth.
4)The infant should not breastfeed until this infection is gone.
5)The breastfeeding mother may also require treatment.

Question 22

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? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
1)"There should be no adverse effects."
2)"Watch your child for nausea or vomiting."
3)"Bring your child to the emergency department immediately."
4)"Call 911 and watch your child for seizure activity until they arrive."
5)"There should be no problem unless your child has kidney disease."

Question 23

A client receives metronidazole (Flagyl)for treatment of a vaginal yeast infection.What should the nurse include in medication education for this client? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
1)Do not drink alcohol with this medication.
2)Do not take this medication with milk or milk products.
3)Drink at least 3,000 mL of fluid per day with this medication.
4)Do not become pregnant while taking this medication.
5)You may experience a metallic taste while on this medication.

Question 24

A client has been prescribed a topical antifungal medication for treatment of ringworm.What teaching should the nurse provide? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
1)Avoid alcohol while using this medication.
2)Scrub the area vigorously prior to applying the medication.
3)Cover the area with an occlusive dressing after applying the medication.
4)Apply a thin layer of the medication.
5)After applying the medication,let the area air-dry.

Question 25

A client is receiving amphotericin B.The nurse will reinforce teaching by telling the client that he should report which symptoms? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
1)Feeling hot
2)Hearing loss
3)Dizziness
4)Constipation
5)Heartburn