Pharmacology Exam One Practice Questions

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving intravenous theophylline. The patient complains of headache and nausea. The nurse will contact the provider to a. change the medication to an oral theophylline. b. obtain an order for a serum theophylline level. c. request an order for an analgesic medication. d. suggest an alternative methylxanthine medication. - ANS: B Theophylline has a narrow therapeutic index and a risk for severe symptoms with toxic levels. When patients report symptoms of theophylline adverse effects, a serum drug level should be obtained. Giving an oral Test Bank - Pharmacology: A Patient-Centered Nursing Process Approach (9th Edition, 2017) 201 theophylline would only compound the problem if the patient has a toxic drug level. Analgesics may be used, but only after toxicity is ruled out. Adding a different methylxanthine will compound the symptoms and will likely result in drug interaction or unwanted synergism. 1. The nurse is caring for a patient recently diagnosed with mild emphysema and provides teaching about the disease and medications for treatment. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the medication regimen? a. I should use albuterol when my symptoms worsen. b. I will need to take oral prednisone on a daily basis. c. My provider will prescribe prophylactic antibiotics. d. My symptoms are reversible with proper medications. - ANS: A Albuterol is used to treat bronchospasm during symptom flares. Oral prednisone is given for acute flares but not generally on a daily basis until symptoms are chronic and severe because of the risk of adrenal suppression. Prophylactic antibiotics are not given regularly because of the risk of antibiotic resistance. Symptoms of emphysema are not reversible.