Deck 43: Antimalarial, Antiprotozoal, and Anthelmintic Drugs

Question 1

A woman is traveling to a country where she will be at high risk for malarial infection. What will the nurse teach her regarding prophylactic therapy with hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)?

A) Hydroxychloroquine is better absorbed and has fewer adverse effects if taken on an empty stomach.
B) The drug is started 3 weeks before exposure but can be discontinued once she leaves the area.
C) The medication is taken only when she observes mosquito bites, because it can have toxic effects if taken unnecessarily.
D) The drug is usually started 1 to 2 weeks before traveling to endemic areas and is continued for 4 weeks after leaving the area.

Answer 1

The drug is usually started 1 to 2 weeks before traveling to endemic areas and is continued for 4 weeks after leaving the area.

Question 2

A patient with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia will be receiving pentamidine (Pentam 300) as an intravenous piggyback (IVPB) dose. The medication has been added to a 100-mL bag of D₅W for the infusion, and it needs to infuse over 120 minutes. The nurse will set the infusion pump to infuse at what rate for this IVPB medication?

Answer 2

50 mL/hr
First, convert 120 minutes to hours because the infusion pump will infuse at a mL/hr rate.
120 minutes × (1 hour/60 minutes) = 2 hours
100 mL ÷ 2 hours = 50 mL/hr

Question 3

A patient is being evaluated for a possible helminthic infection. The nurse knows that which statement about anthelmintic therapy is true?

A) The drugs may cause severe drowsiness.
B) Anthelmintics are very specific in their actions.
C) Anthelmintics are effective against broad classes of infestations.
D) The drugs are used to treat protozoal infections such as intestinal amebiasis.

Answer 3

Anthelmintics are very specific in their actions.

Question 4

The nurse is reviewing antimalarial drug therapy with a patient and instructs the patient to watch for and report which potential adverse reactions?

A) Drowsiness
B) Insomnia
C) Visual disturbances
D) Constipation

Question 5

A patient who has a helminthic infection has a prescription for pyrantel (Antiminth). Which is one of the common adverse effects that the patient may experience while on this therapy?

A) Vertigo
B) Seizures
C) Diarrhea
D) Insomnia

Question 6

A patient has an infestation with flukes. The nurse anticipates the use of which drug to treat this infestation?

A) praziquantel (Biltricide)
B) pyrantel (Pin-X)
C) metronidazole (Flagyl)
D) ivermectin (Stromectol)

Question 7

A patient who is being treated for malaria has started therapy with quinine and tetracycline. He asks the nurse why he is on an antibiotic when malaria is caused by a parasite. Which response by the nurse is correct?

A) "The tetracycline prevents reinfection by the malarial parasite."
B) "The antibiotic is combined with quinine to reduce the side effects of the quinine."
C) "An antibacterial drug prevents the occurrence of superinfection during antimalarial therapy."
D) "The two drugs are more effective against malaria when given together."

Question 8

A patient is receiving hydroxychloroquine therapy but tells the nurse that she has never traveled out of her city. The nurse knows that a possible reason for this drug therapy is which condition?

A) Lyme disease
B) Toxoplasmosis
C) Systemic lupus erythematosus
D) Intestinal tapeworms

Question 9

A patient with late-stage HIV infection also has Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. The nurse anticipates treatment with which medication for this pneumonia?

A) ivermectin (Stromectol)
B) atovaquone (Mepron)
C) praziquantel (Biltricide)
D) metronidazole (Flagyl)

Question 10

A patient is experiencing the exoerythrocytic phase of malaria. The nurse expects which drug to be used for this patient?

A) quinine
B) chloroquine (Aralen)
C) mefloquine (Lariam)
D) primaquine

Question 11

A patient with an intestinal infection that is positive for the Giardia lamblia organism will be taking an antiprotozoal drug. The nurse will include which information in the teaching plan for this patient?

A) The urine may become dilute and pale during therapy.
B) Taking the medications with food reduces gastrointestinal upset.
C) The medications should be taken on an empty stomach.
D) The drugs may be discontinued once the diarrhea subsides.

Question 12

Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is prescribed as part of malaria prophylaxis for a patient who will be traveling. The nurse will discuss which potential adverse effects with the patient? (Select all that apply.)

A) Diarrhea
B) Constipation
C) Insomnia
D) Dizziness
E) Rash
F) Headache