Chapter 34 Antiviral Drugs
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient calls the clinic in November to report a temperature of 103 F, headache, a
nonproductive cough, and muscle aches. The patient reports feeling well earlier that day. The
nurse will schedule the patient to see the provider and will expect the provider to order which
medication?
a. Amantadine HCl (Symmetrel)
b. Influenza vaccine
c. Rimantadine HCl (Flumadine)
d. An over-the-counter drug for symptomatic treatment
ANS C
Rimantadine is used for treatment of influenza. Amantadine is used primarily for
prophylaxis, and this patient already has symptoms. The influenza vaccine may be given
later to protect against other strains. Over-the-counter medications may be used as adjunct
treatment.
DIF COGNITIVE LEVEL Applying (Application) REF dm 450
TOP NURSING PROCESS Nursing Intervention
MSC NCLEX Physiological Integrity Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
2. A nurse whose last flu vaccine was 1 year prior is exposed to the influenza A virus.
The occupational health nurse will administer which medication? a. Acyclovir (Zovirax)
b. Amantadine HCl (Symmetrel)
c. Influenza vaccine
d. Oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu)
ANS B
The primary use for amantadine is prophylaxis against influenza A. Acyclovir is used to treat
herpes virus. Oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu) is to be taken once flu symptoms appear.
DIF COGNITIVE LEVEL Applying (Application) REF dm 450 TOP
NURSING PROCESS Nursing Intervention
MSC NCLEX Physiological Integrity Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
3. A patient is diagnosed with influenza and will begin taking a neuraminidase inhibitor.
The nurse knows that this drug is effective when taken within how many hours of onset of
flu symptoms? a. 12 hours
b. 24 hours
c. 48 hours
d. 72 hours ANS C
Neuraminidase inhibitors, such as zanamivir and oseltamivir, should be taken within 48 hours
of onset of symptoms for best effect.
, DIF COGNITIVE LEVEL Remembering (Knowledge) REF dm 450 TOP
NURSING PROCESS Assessment
MSC NCLEX Physiological Integrity Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
4. The nurse receives an order to administer a purine nucleoside antiviral medication. The
nurse understands that this medication treats which type of virus? a. Hepatitis virus
b. Herpes virus
c. HIV
d. Influenza virus
ANS B
Purine nucleosides, such as acyclovir, are used to treat herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, herpes
zoster virus, varicella-zoster virus, and cytomegalovirus.
DIF COGNITIVE LEVEL Remembering (Knowledge) REF dm 450
TOP NURSING PROCESS Nursing Intervention
MSC NCLEX Physiological Integrity Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
5. The nurse is caring for an infant who has respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and who
will receive ribavirin. The nurse expects to administer this drug by which route? a.
Inhalation
b. Intramuscular
c. Intravenous
d. Oral
ANS A
Ribavirin is given by inhalation to treat RSV. Oral ribavirin is used to treat hepatitis C, and
intravenous ribavirin is used to treat hepatitis C and Lassa fever.
DIF COGNITIVE LEVEL Understanding (Comprehension) REF dm 450
TOP NURSING PROCESS Nursing Intervention
MSC NCLEX Physiological Integrity Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
6. The nurse receives the following order for a patient who is diagnosed with herpes zoster
virus PO acyclovir (Zovirax) 400 mg TID for 7 to 10 days. The nurse will contact the provider
to clarify which part of the order? a. Dose and frequency
b. Frequency and duration
c. Drug and dose
d. Drug and duration
ANS A
Acyclovir is used for herpes zoster, but the dose should be 800 mg 5 times daily for 7 to 10
days. The nurse should clarify the dose and frequency. For herpes simplex, 400 mg 3 times
daily is correct.
DIF COGNITIVE LEVEL Applying (Application) REF dm 451 TOP
NURSING PROCESS Nursing Intervention
MSC NCLEX Physiological Integrity Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient calls the clinic in November to report a temperature of 103 F, headache, a
nonproductive cough, and muscle aches. The patient reports feeling well earlier that day. The
nurse will schedule the patient to see the provider and will expect the provider to order which
medication?
a. Amantadine HCl (Symmetrel)
b. Influenza vaccine
c. Rimantadine HCl (Flumadine)
d. An over-the-counter drug for symptomatic treatment
ANS C
Rimantadine is used for treatment of influenza. Amantadine is used primarily for
prophylaxis, and this patient already has symptoms. The influenza vaccine may be given
later to protect against other strains. Over-the-counter medications may be used as adjunct
treatment.
DIF COGNITIVE LEVEL Applying (Application) REF dm 450
TOP NURSING PROCESS Nursing Intervention
MSC NCLEX Physiological Integrity Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
2. A nurse whose last flu vaccine was 1 year prior is exposed to the influenza A virus.
The occupational health nurse will administer which medication? a. Acyclovir (Zovirax)
b. Amantadine HCl (Symmetrel)
c. Influenza vaccine
d. Oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu)
ANS B
The primary use for amantadine is prophylaxis against influenza A. Acyclovir is used to treat
herpes virus. Oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu) is to be taken once flu symptoms appear.
DIF COGNITIVE LEVEL Applying (Application) REF dm 450 TOP
NURSING PROCESS Nursing Intervention
MSC NCLEX Physiological Integrity Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
3. A patient is diagnosed with influenza and will begin taking a neuraminidase inhibitor.
The nurse knows that this drug is effective when taken within how many hours of onset of
flu symptoms? a. 12 hours
b. 24 hours
c. 48 hours
d. 72 hours ANS C
Neuraminidase inhibitors, such as zanamivir and oseltamivir, should be taken within 48 hours
of onset of symptoms for best effect.
, DIF COGNITIVE LEVEL Remembering (Knowledge) REF dm 450 TOP
NURSING PROCESS Assessment
MSC NCLEX Physiological Integrity Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
4. The nurse receives an order to administer a purine nucleoside antiviral medication. The
nurse understands that this medication treats which type of virus? a. Hepatitis virus
b. Herpes virus
c. HIV
d. Influenza virus
ANS B
Purine nucleosides, such as acyclovir, are used to treat herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, herpes
zoster virus, varicella-zoster virus, and cytomegalovirus.
DIF COGNITIVE LEVEL Remembering (Knowledge) REF dm 450
TOP NURSING PROCESS Nursing Intervention
MSC NCLEX Physiological Integrity Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
5. The nurse is caring for an infant who has respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and who
will receive ribavirin. The nurse expects to administer this drug by which route? a.
Inhalation
b. Intramuscular
c. Intravenous
d. Oral
ANS A
Ribavirin is given by inhalation to treat RSV. Oral ribavirin is used to treat hepatitis C, and
intravenous ribavirin is used to treat hepatitis C and Lassa fever.
DIF COGNITIVE LEVEL Understanding (Comprehension) REF dm 450
TOP NURSING PROCESS Nursing Intervention
MSC NCLEX Physiological Integrity Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
6. The nurse receives the following order for a patient who is diagnosed with herpes zoster
virus PO acyclovir (Zovirax) 400 mg TID for 7 to 10 days. The nurse will contact the provider
to clarify which part of the order? a. Dose and frequency
b. Frequency and duration
c. Drug and dose
d. Drug and duration
ANS A
Acyclovir is used for herpes zoster, but the dose should be 800 mg 5 times daily for 7 to 10
days. The nurse should clarify the dose and frequency. For herpes simplex, 400 mg 3 times
daily is correct.
DIF COGNITIVE LEVEL Applying (Application) REF dm 451 TOP
NURSING PROCESS Nursing Intervention
MSC NCLEX Physiological Integrity Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
