Question 1

During a routine checkup,the patient reports an inability to take the prescribed antihistamine because of one of its most common adverse effects.The physician prescribes another antihistamine,loratadine (Claritin).What adverse effect has probably been bothering this patient?

A)Diarrhea
B)Urticaria
C)Drowsiness
D)Decreased libido

Drowsiness

Accepted Answer

People who take antihistamines chiefly report drowsiness.Loratadine is a unsedating antihistamine which eliminates many of the adverse effects of the older antihistamines,particularly drowsiness.

Question 2

Which instruction is correct for a patient taking an antihistamine?&#10;A)Eat chocolate bars to ease the discomfort of dry mouth.&#10;B)Antihistamines are generally safe to take with over-the-counter (OTC) medications.&#10;C)Take the medication on an empty stomach to maximize absorption of the drug.&#10;D)Take the medication with food, even though doing so may slightly reduce the absorption of the drug.

Accepted Answer

Antihistamines should be taken with food to minimize the gastrointestinal upset that can occur,even though doing so slightly reduces the absorption of the drug.The patient can suck on candy or chew gum to ease dry mouth discomfort.OTC medications should not be taken with an antihistamine unless approved by the physician; taking antihistamines with OTC medications may lead to serious drug interactions.

Question 3

How does the antitussive dextromethorphan (Benylin DM-E)work to suppress the cough reflex?&#10;A)By causing central nervous system (CNS) depression&#10;B)By anaesthetizing the stretch receptors&#10;C)Through a direct action on the cough centre&#10;D)By decreasing the viscosity of the bronchial secretions

Accepted Answer

Dextromethorphan suppresses the cough reflex through direct action on the cough centre.

Question 4

What systemic effect may occur with the administration of a topically applied adrenergic nasal decongestant?&#10;A)Heartburn&#10;B)Bradycardia&#10;C)Hypotension&#10;D)Nervousness

Accepted Answer

If a topically administered adrenergic nasal decongestant is absorbed into the bloodstream,CNS effects such as nervousness may occur; hypertension and palpitations may also occur.Heartburn is not an adverse effect of topically applied adrenergic nasal decongestants.

Question 5

A gardener needs a decongestant because of seasonal allergy problems.Which is a benefit of orally administered decongestants?&#10;A)Onset is immediate.&#10;B)The effect is more potent.&#10;C)Rebound congestion is almost nonexistent.&#10;D)The adverse effects of restlessness and nervousness are reduced.

Accepted Answer

Rebound congestion is almost nonexistent with the use of oral decongestants.Compared with topically applied decongestants,the onset of orally administered decongestants is more delayed,and the effect is less potent.Nervousness is an adverse effect of decongestants.

Question 6

The nurse knows that an antitussive drug is most appropriate for which patient?&#10;A)A patient with pneumonia who has a productive cough&#10;B)A patient who has a tracheostomy and thick mucus secretions&#10;C)A patient who has had a productive cough for 2 weeks&#10;D)A patient who has developed bronchitis 2 days after hernia repair surgery

Accepted Answer

In a patient who has developed bronchitis 2 days after hernia repair surgery,antitussive drugs help to prevent coughing that is considered harmful rather than useful.Coughing is beneficial in a patient with pneumonia who has a productive cough,in a patient who has a tracheostomy and thick mucus secretions,and in a patient who has had a productive cough for 2 weeks.

Question 7

Because of many reported adverse events,which groups of children should not be given cough and cold medications?&#10;A)Children younger than 2 years of age&#10;B)Children younger than 4 years of age&#10;C)Children younger than 6 years of age&#10;D)Children younger than 8 years of age

Accepted Answer

Children younger than 6 years of age should not be given cough and cold medication.Many adverse events have been reported in regard to these medications and children younger than 6 years of age.Insufficient research has been done into the use of these medications in children.

Question 8

Which antihistamine is commonly used in the treatment of motion sickness?&#10;A)cyproheptadine hydrochloride&#10;B)diphenhydramine (Benadryl)&#10;C)cetirizine hydrochloride&#10;D)promethazine

Accepted Answer

Cyproheptadine hydrochloride is commonly used in the treatment of motion sickness.

Question 9

A patient is taking guaifenesin (Balminil)as part of treatment of influenza.What should the nurse also instruct the patient to do?&#10;A)Force fluids to help loosen and liquefy secretions.&#10;B)Report a fever to the doctor if body temperature is above 38.3&#176;C.&#10;C)Avoid driving a car or operating heavy machinery, because of the drug's sedating effects.&#10;D)To retain the effects of the medication for a longer period, avoid coughing.

Accepted Answer

Forcing fluids helps to loosen and liquefy secretions.

Question 10

A patient has been advised to add a nasal spray (an adrenergic decongestant)to treat a cold.What should the nurse tell the patient in regard to the nasal spray?&#10;A)Expect the spray's effects to be delayed for at least 1 week.&#10;B)Limit the use of the spray to 3 to 5 days.&#10;C)Continue using the spray until the nasal stuffiness has resolved.&#10;D)Avoid using the spray if a fever develops.

Accepted Answer

Frequent,long-term,or excessive use of nasal decongestants may lead to rebound congestion if they are used beyond the recommended time period.

Question 11

Which drug is most likely to be chosen to aid in the removal of excessive mucus in the respiratory tract?&#10;A)guaifenesin&#10;B)benzonatate&#10;C)codeine&#10;D)dextromethorphan

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which drug is most likely to be...

Deck 37: Antihistamines,Decongestants,Antitussives,and Expectorants