Question 1

A young adult calls the clinic to ask for a prescription for "that new flu drug." He says he has had the flu for almost 4 days and just heard about a drug that can reduce the symptoms.What is the nurse's best response to his request?

A) "Now that you've had the flu,you will need a booster vaccination,not the antiviral drug."
B) "We will need to do a blood test to verify that you actually have the flu."
C) "Drug therapy should be started within 2 days of symptom onset,not 4 days."
D) "We'll get you a prescription.As long as you start treatment within the next 24 hours,the drug should be effective."

"Drug therapy should be started within 2 days of symptom onset,not 4 days."

Accepted Answer

Option C is the best choice because it is accurate and provides important information about the timing of antiviral treatment for the flu. Starting antiviral therapy within two days of symptom onset is recommended to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. Waiting longer than two days can reduce the drug's effectiveness. Options A and B are not relevant to the request for antiviral treatment, and option D is not accurate because the patient has already had symptoms for four days.

Question 2

A patient with a viral infection is to receive ganciclovir (Cytovene)5 mg/kg/day IVPB every morning.The patient weighs 110 pounds.Identify how many milligrams will this patient receive for this dose._______

Accepted Answer

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Question 3

A patient is taking a combination of antiviral drugs as treatment for early stages of a viral infection.While discussing the drug therapy,the patient asks the nurse if the drugs will kill the virus.When answering,the nurse keeps in mind which fact about antiviral drugs?

A) They are given for palliative reasons only.
B) They will be effective as long as the patient is not exposed to the virus again.
C) They can be given in large enough doses to eradicate the virus without harming the body's healthy cells.
D) They may also kill healthy cells while killing viruses.

Accepted Answer

Antiviral drugs work by inhibiting viral replication and preventing the virus from spreading. However, because viruses use host cells to replicate, antiviral drugs may also affect healthy cells. This is why antiviral drugs can cause side effects and may not completely eradicate the virus. Therefore, while antiviral drugs can be effective in treating viral infections, they may also damage healthy cells.

Question 4

The nurse is providing counseling to a woman who is HIV positive and has just discovered that she is pregnant.Which anti-HIV drug is given to HIV-infected pregnant women to prevent transmission of the virus to the infant?

A) Acyclovir (Zovirax)
B) Zidovudine (Retrovir)
C) Ribavirin (Virazole)
D) Foscarnet (Foscavir)

Accepted Answer

Zidovudine (Retrovir) is the drug of choice for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. It is given to HIV-infected pregnant women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, as well as to their infants after birth. This drug reduces the amount of virus in the mother's blood and genital secretions, which decreases the risk of transmission to the infant. It also reduces the risk of transmission through breast milk if the mother chooses to breastfeed.

Question 5

An infant has been hospitalized with a severe lung infection caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)and will be receiving medication via the inhalation route.The nurse expects which drug to be used?

A) Acyclovir (Zovirax)
B) Ganciclovir (Cytovene)
C) Amantadine (Symmetrel)
D) Ribavirin (Virazole)

Accepted Answer

Ribavirin (Virazole) is the only medication listed that can be given via inhalation and is indicated for RSV in infants. Acyclovir and Ganciclovir are antiviral medications used for other viral infections, while Amantadine is used for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza A.

Question 6

A patient is in the HIV clinic for a follow-up appointment.He has been on antiretroviral therapy for HIV for more than 3 years.The nurse will assess for which potential adverse effects of long-term antiretroviral therapy? (Select all that apply.)

A) Lipodystrophy
B) Liver damage
C) Kaposi's sarcoma
D) Osteoporosis
E) Type 2 diabetes

Accepted Answer

Long-term use of antiretroviral therapy can lead to adverse effects such as lipodystrophy (changes in body fat distribution), liver damage, osteoporosis, and type 2 diabetes. Kaposi's sarcoma is a type of cancer associated with HIV, but it is not directly related to antiretroviral therapy.

Question 7

A patient who has undergone a lung transplant has contracted cytomegalovirus (CMV)retinitis.The nurse expects which drug to be ordered for this patient?&#10;A) Acyclovir (Zovirax)&#10;B) Ganciclovir (Cytovene)&#10;C) Ribavirin (Virazole)&#10;D) Amantadine (Symmetrel)

Accepted Answer

Ganciclovir (Cytovene) is an antiviral medication often used to treat CMV retinitis in immunocompromised patients, such as those who have undergone a lung transplant. Acyclovir (Zovirax) is used to treat herpes infections, while Ribavirin (Virazole) is used to treat respiratory infections such as RSV. Amantadine (Symmetrel) is used to treat influenza A.

Question 8

The nurse is administering intravenous acyclovir (Zovirax)to a patient with a viral infection.Which administration technique is correct?&#10;A) Infuse intravenous acyclovir slowly,over at least 1 hour.&#10;B) Infuse intravenous acyclovir by rapid bolus.&#10;C) Refrigerate intravenous acyclovir.&#10;D) Restrict oral fluids during intravenous acyclovir therapy.

Accepted Answer

Intravenous acyclovir should be infused slowly over at least 1 hour to reduce the risk of adverse reactions, such as nephrotoxicity. Rapid bolus administration should be avoided. Refrigeration is not necessary for intravenous acyclovir. Oral fluids should be encouraged to maintain hydration during therapy.

Question 9

A patient who is diagnosed with shingles is taking topical acyclovir,and the nurse is providing instructions about adverse effects.The nurse will discuss which adverse effects of topical acyclovir therapy?

A) Insomnia and nervousness
B) Temporary swelling and rash
C) Burning when applied
D) This medication has no adverse effects.

Accepted Answer

The nurse should discuss the adverse effect of burning when applied with the patient receiving topical acyclovir therapy. Insomnia and nervousness are not common adverse effects of topical acyclovir therapy. Temporary swelling and rash may occur with topical application, but it is not listed as one of the adverse effects the nurse should specifically discuss. There may be other potential adverse effects, but stating that the medication has no adverse effects is not accurate.

Question 10

A patient is receiving cidofovir (Vistide)as part of treatment for a viral infection,and the nurse is preparing to administer probenecid,which is also ordered.Which is the rationale for administering probenecid along with the cidofovir treatment?

A) Probenecid has a synergistic effect when given with cidofovir,thus making the antiviral medication more effective.
B) The probenecid also prevents replication of the virus.
C) Concurrent drug therapy with probenecid reduces the nephrotoxicity of the cidofovir.
D) The probenecid reduces the adverse gastrointestinal effects of the cidofovir.

Accepted Answer

Probenecid is often given concurrently with cidofovir to reduce the nephrotoxicity associated with cidofovir therapy. Probenecid blocks organic anion transporter proteins in the kidneys, which increases cidofovir levels in plasma and decreases renal accumulation, potentially reducing the risk of nephrotoxicity.

Question 11

A patient who is HIV- positive has been receiving medication therapy that includes zidovudine (Retrovir).However,the prescriber has decided to stop the zidovudine because of its dose-limiting adverse effect.Which of these conditions is the dose-limiting adverse effect of zidovudine therapy?

A) Retinitis
B) Renal toxicity
C) Hepatotoxicity
D) Bone marrow suppression

Accepted Answer

The answer of A patient who is HIV- positive has...

Deck 40: Antiviral Drugs