Question 1

The nurse is teaching a support group for caretakers of older adult clients. The focus is medication compliance. The nurse determines that learning has occurred when the caregivers make which response?

Accepted Answer

Using a medication management box is a safe and effective way to help older adults remember to take their medications on time. Crushing their medicine and putting it in food or drink can be dangerous and interfere with the medication effectiveness. Asking the doctor if all the medication is really necessary is also important, but does not address the issue of medication compliance. Giving more education about the medicine may be helpful, but does not guarantee improved compliance.

Question 2

The pregnant client tells the nurse that her prescribed medication is not as effective as it was before her pregnancy. What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

During pregnancy, a woman's blood volume increases, which can dilute medications and make them less effective.

Question 3

The nursing instructor teaches student nurses about the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Pregnancy Categories. What should the nurse include? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The nurse should teach the student nurses that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Pregnancy categories provide a framework for safe use of drugs in pregnant women, and that FDA Pregnancy Category X has been associated with teratogenic effects. Choice A is incorrect because FDA Pregnancy Category C means that the risk cannot be ruled out, but the benefits may outweigh the risks. Choice C is incorrect because FDA Pregnancy categories can change based on new information. Choice D is incorrect because clinical human research trials are just one of the factors considered in determining FDA Pregnancy categories.

Question 4

The nurse will administer medication to a school-age child. What is the best action by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Offering the child a choice of beverage may make the medication administration more tolerable and may promote cooperation from the child. It also promotes the child's independence and participation in their own healthcare. Teaching the child about the medication and its expected side effects is also important, but may not be the best action in this situation if the child is resistant or uncooperative. Threatening the child with punishment (such as withholding recess) is not a recommended approach as this may promote negative feelings and resistance towards taking medication. Playing with the child prior to medication administration may also be beneficial, but offering a choice of beverage is the best initial action.

Question 5

The adolescent is supposed to go to the school nurse at 12:00 to receive his medication for attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He often does not go for the medication. What best describes the nurse's understanding of this situation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The adolescent is supposed to go to...

Question 6

A nurse working in an obstetric practice should consider which fact when discussing medication use with pregnant clients?

Accepted Answer

Inhaled drugs may be absorbed to a greater extent during pregnancy due to increased blood supply to the respiratory system. It is important for nurses to inform pregnant clients of potential risks and benefits of medication use during pregnancy, and to work closely with the healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment. Option B is incorrect as drug excretion rates are actually increased during pregnancy due to increased renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate. Option C is also incorrect as oral drug absorption rate is typically not affected by pregnancy. Option D is an extreme answer and not accurate as some medications may be necessary for the health of the mother and/or baby.

Question 7

A nursing instructor is teaching nursing students about the FDA Pregnancy Drug Categories. The instructor asks the students to what category a drug for which research has shown an adverse effect in animals but not in pregnant women would be categorized as. The instructor knows learning has occurred with which student response?

Accepted Answer

Category B drugs have shown adverse effects in animal studies, but well-controlled studies in pregnant women have not demonstrated a risk to the fetus.

Question 8

A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a school-age child. What would the nurse do?

Accepted Answer

Allowing the child to make decisions regarding how medications are taken can help empower them and reduce anxiety, making the process smoother and more cooperative.

Question 9

The nurse provides care for elderly clients in an assisted living facility. What does the nurse assess as a primary contributing factor for drug toxicity in the elderly?

Accepted Answer

Older adults are frequently dehydrated, which can lead to increased concentration of drugs in the body and potentially result in drug toxicity. Dehydration affects the distribution and elimination of drugs, making the elderly more susceptible to adverse effects.

Question 10

A woman who wishes to become pregnant is concerned about the drugs she must take in order to treat a serious medical condition. The nurse reviewing the drug list would be most concerned about which kind of drug?

Accepted Answer

A drug with a long half-life is of most concern because it stays in the body longer, potentially affecting the pregnancy or fetus for an extended period.

Question 11

An adolescent client comes to the school nurse with complaints of vague abdominal pain. What statement by the student would help to confirm the nurse's suspicion that the adolescent has body image concerns?

Accepted Answer

The statement "Everyone makes a big deal about what I eat, so don't ask" suggests that the adolescent is aware of how others perceive their eating habits and may be self-conscious about their body image. The other options do not directly relate to body image concerns.

Question 12

A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a pregnant client. Which classification of drugs would the nurse refuse to administer?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should refuse to administer teratogenic drugs as they have the potential to cause fetal malformations and defects. Category A and B medications are considered safe for use in pregnancy, and cautionary drugs may be used with careful consideration of the potential risks and benefits.

Question 13

The pregnant client plans to breastfeed her baby. She asks the nurse about the use of herbal products during breastfeeding. What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Herbal products, like drugs, can be transferred to the infant through breast milk, and their safety during breastfeeding is not always well established. Therefore, caution is advised, making option B the best response.

Question 14

A client presents with hypotension and bradycardia. The client indicates that one of her healthcare providers recently prescribed three new medications to her current list of 10 medications per day. Based on this information, which statement would be the most accurate?

Accepted Answer

The client is experiencing adverse reactions as a result of polypharmacy, as the addition of three new medications to a regimen of 10 medications per day may lead to drug interactions and adverse reactions. Allergic reactions typically present with symptoms such as hives, itching, and swelling, but not necessarily hypotension and bradycardia. Noncompliance with medications or an adverse effect that will go away in time would not be the most likely explanation for the client’s symptoms.

Question 15

A nursing student asks a nurse how pharmacotherapy in the older adult is different than a middle-aged adult. How would the nurse respond?

Accepted Answer

In older adults, gastric pH tends to be higher (less acidic), which can slow the absorption of certain drugs.

Question 16

The toddler refuses to take his oral medication. What is the best suggestion to the mother from the nurse for ensuring the toddler receives his medication?

Accepted Answer

Crushing the tablet and mixing it with a small amount of jam can make it easier for the toddler to swallow and mask the taste. Bribery or punishment can create negative associations with medication and set up unhealthy patterns of behavior. Mixing medication with milk is not recommended unless directed by a healthcare professional as it may interfere with the drug's effectiveness or cause adverse reactions.

Question 17

The nurse teaches a class about medication used during pregnancy to pregnant women. The nurse determines that additional instruction is required when a class participant makes which response?

Accepted Answer

This statement is incorrect. The baby can be harmed by medications at any point during pregnancy, not just in the first trimester. It is important that pregnant women consult with their healthcare provider before taking any medication.

Question 18

The nurse plans to administer medication to a preschool child. Which approach indicates the nurse has an understanding of growth and development?

Accepted Answer

Preschool children have limited attention spans and understanding of complex explanations. A brief rationale with quick administration is effective, as it provides them with a simple explanation they can grasp and minimizes the anticipation or fear associated with the procedure.

Question 19

The nurse plans to teach a safety class to parents of toddlers about household exposure to medications. What should the nurse include? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Keeping all medications locked up and stored out of reach of the toddler is important to prevent accidental ingestion. Calling the Poison Control Center for guidance with any medication ingested is also essential, as they can provide specific instructions based on the medication ingested and the child's age and weight. Option A is not necessary, as the child may need to sleep to aid in recovery. Option C is not recommended, as the use of syrup of ipecac is no longer recommended for medication ingestions. Option E is not developmentally appropriate for a toddler, who may not fully understand this concept.

Question 20

The nurse teaching a pre-conception class would tell participants that they should be most careful about exposure to drugs during which stage of pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

The embryonic stage (first 8 weeks of pregnancy) is when major organ development occurs and when exposure to drugs or other harmful substances can result in birth defects or other serious issues. The other stages of pregnancy (preimplantation, fetal, and third trimester) also carry some risk, but the embryonic stage is considered the most critical.

Quiz 8: Drug Administration Throughout the Lifespan