C HAPTER 40: A NTIVIRAL D RUGS
Lilley: Pharmacology and the Nursing Process, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is administering intravenous acyclovir to a patient with a viral
infection. Which administration technique is correct?
a. Infuse intravenous acyclovir slowl y, over at least 1 hour.
b. Infuse intravenous acyclovir by rapid bolus.
c. Refrigerate intravenous acyclovi r.
d. Restrict oral fluids during intravenous acyclovir therapy.
ANS: A
Intravenous infusions must be diluted as recommended (e.g., with 5%
dextrose in water or normal saline) and infused with caution. Infusion
over longer than 1 hour is suggested to avoid t he renal tubular damage
seen with more rapid infusions. Adequate hydration should be
encouraged (unless contraindicated) during the infusion and for several
hours afterward to prevent drug -related crystalluria. Intravenous
acyclovir is stable for 12 hours at room temperature and will often
precipitate when refrigerated.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl ying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y: Pharmacological and
Parenteral Therapies
2. A patient is receiving a riba virin aerosol treatment. Which precaution is
important for the pregnant health care provider?
, a. No special precautions are needed.
b. Wearing a mask while in the room during the treatment.
c. Staying out of the room during the aerosol treatment.
d. Limiting exposure to the aerosol treatment to a maximum of 15
minutes per shift.
ANS: C
Pregnant health care providers or those wishing to become pregnant
must stay out of the patient rooms when the aerosol form is being
administered, due to the potential for secondhand in halation on the part
of the health care provider. Ribavirin is classified as a pregnancy
category X drug and carries a black box warning relating to significant
teratogenic and/or embryocidal effects. The other options are incorrect.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl ying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y: Reduction of Risk
Potential
3. A patient is taking a combination of antiviral drugs as treatment for earl y
stages of a viral infection. While discussing the drug thera py, the patient
asks the nurse if the drugs will kill the virus. When answering, the nurse
keeps in mind which fact about antiviral drugs?
a. They are given for palliative reasons only.
b. They will be effective as long as the patient is not exposed to the
virus again.
c. They can be given in large enough doses to eradicate the virus
without harming the body’s healthy cells.
d. They may also kill healthy cells while killing viruses.
ANS: D
Lilley: Pharmacology and the Nursing Process, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is administering intravenous acyclovir to a patient with a viral
infection. Which administration technique is correct?
a. Infuse intravenous acyclovir slowl y, over at least 1 hour.
b. Infuse intravenous acyclovir by rapid bolus.
c. Refrigerate intravenous acyclovi r.
d. Restrict oral fluids during intravenous acyclovir therapy.
ANS: A
Intravenous infusions must be diluted as recommended (e.g., with 5%
dextrose in water or normal saline) and infused with caution. Infusion
over longer than 1 hour is suggested to avoid t he renal tubular damage
seen with more rapid infusions. Adequate hydration should be
encouraged (unless contraindicated) during the infusion and for several
hours afterward to prevent drug -related crystalluria. Intravenous
acyclovir is stable for 12 hours at room temperature and will often
precipitate when refrigerated.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl ying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y: Pharmacological and
Parenteral Therapies
2. A patient is receiving a riba virin aerosol treatment. Which precaution is
important for the pregnant health care provider?
, a. No special precautions are needed.
b. Wearing a mask while in the room during the treatment.
c. Staying out of the room during the aerosol treatment.
d. Limiting exposure to the aerosol treatment to a maximum of 15
minutes per shift.
ANS: C
Pregnant health care providers or those wishing to become pregnant
must stay out of the patient rooms when the aerosol form is being
administered, due to the potential for secondhand in halation on the part
of the health care provider. Ribavirin is classified as a pregnancy
category X drug and carries a black box warning relating to significant
teratogenic and/or embryocidal effects. The other options are incorrect.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl ying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y: Reduction of Risk
Potential
3. A patient is taking a combination of antiviral drugs as treatment for earl y
stages of a viral infection. While discussing the drug thera py, the patient
asks the nurse if the drugs will kill the virus. When answering, the nurse
keeps in mind which fact about antiviral drugs?
a. They are given for palliative reasons only.
b. They will be effective as long as the patient is not exposed to the
virus again.
c. They can be given in large enough doses to eradicate the virus
without harming the body’s healthy cells.
d. They may also kill healthy cells while killing viruses.
ANS: D
