NURS 3210 PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM QUIZ
QUESTIONS
During administration of theophylline, the nurse should monitor for signs of an adverse
reaction. Which symptom(s) would cause the nurse to suspect theophylline toxicity?
a. Sedation
b. urinary retention
c. dry mouth
d. nausea and vomiting - Answers - d. nausea and vomiting
Signs of toxicity are anorexia, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, tachycardia, arrhythmias,
and seizures. The other options are common side effects of antihistamines but do not
indicate an adverse reaction to theophylline.
A nurse has an order to administer theophylline PO to a client. The nurse determines
that a theophylline level drawn yesterday was 22 mcg/mL. Based on this information,
which action should the nurse take first?
a. redraw the theophylline level to confirm the level
b. start the client on a half-dose of theophylline PO
c. the theophylline dose can be administered as planned
d. hold the theophylline dose and notify the HCP - Answers - d. hold the theophylline
dose and notify the HCP
The therapeutic range for theophylline is 10 to 20 mcg/mL, so the theophylline dose
should be held for fear of causing toxicity. The dose should be held and the HCP should
be contacted.
The nurse is caring for a client receiving an albuterol/ipratropium nebulized breathing
treatment. Which report from the client should the nurse note as an expected side effect
of this combination medication?
a. "my eyes have been watering lately"
b. "I havent had a bowel movement in 4 days"
c. "I feel more bloated than usual"
d. "I feel like my heart is racing" - Answers - d. "I feel like my heart is racing"
A client has a prescription to take guaifenesin. The nurse determines that the client
understands the proper administration of this medication if the client states that she or
he will perform which action?
a. Take the tablet with a full glass of water
b. Take an extra dose if fever develops
c. Decrease the amount of daily fluid intake
d. Take the medication with meals only - Answers - A. Take the tablet with a full glass
of water
,Guaifenesin is an expectorant and should be taken with a full glass of water to decrease
the viscosity of secretions. Extra doses should not be taken. The client should contact
the primary health care provider if the cough lasts longer than one week or is
accompanied by fever, rash, sore throat, or persistent headache. Fluids are needed to
decrease the viscosity of secretions. The medication does not need to be taken with
meals.
The nurse is discharging a client diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). Which discharge instructions should the nurse provide regarding the client's
prescription for prednisone?
a. The medication should never be abruptly discontinued
b. Stop taking the prednisone if a noticeable weight gain occurs
c. Take the prednisone on an empty stomach with a full glass of water
d. If you miss a dose of the medication, take two tablets the next time - Answers - a.
The medication should never be abruptly discontinued
Prednisone, is not abruptly discontinued because cortisol (a glucocorticoid) is necessary
to sustain life and the adrenal glands stop producing cortisol while the client is taking it.
The medication must be tapered off to prevent life-threatening complications.
Which information should the nurse teach the client who is prescribed fluticasone
propionate (Flovent) inhaler?
a. Advise the client to gargle after each administration.
b. Instruct the client to use the inhaler on a PRN basis.
c. Teach the client to check his or her forced expiratory volume daily
d. Encourage the client not to use a spacer when using the inhaler. - Answers - a.
Advise the client to gargle after each administration.
Gargling after each administration will help decrease the development of oropharyngeal
yeast infections. This medication is intended for preventive therapy, not for aborting an
ongoing asthma attack, and they should not be taken on a PRN basis. A spacer, a
device that attaches directly to the metered-dose inhaler, should be used because a
spacer increases the delivery of the drug to the lungs and decreases deposition of the
drug on the oropharyngeal mucosa. Forced expiratory volume is the single most useful
test of lung function, but the instrument required is a spirometer, which is expensive,
cumbersome, and not suited for home use.
A nurse is about to administer albuterol (Ventolin HFA) 2 puff and budesonide
(Pulmicort) 2 puff by metered dose inhaler. The nurse plans to administer this
medication in which of the following ways?
a. albuterol first then budesonide
b. budesonide inhaler first then inhaler
c. alternating with a single puff each, starting with albuterol
d. alternating with a single puff each, starting with budesonide - Answers - a. albuterol
first then budesonide
, The nurse should administer albuterol first, wait 2-5 minutes (unless otherwise
instructed by the health care provider), then administer the budesonide.
That patient states, "I always put my nitroglycerin (NTG) patch in the same place so I do
not forget to take it off." What is the best response by the nurse?
a. "Change the patch every 24 hours"
b. "Massage into skin if ointment comes in contact with your hands"
c. "After removing the patch, scrub the area vigorously with soap and water."
d. "Rotate the NTG patch to a different hairless area each day" - Answers - d. "Rotate
the NTG patch to a different hairless area each day"
Nitroglycerin patches should be rotated to a different hairless area each day to reduce
skin irritation.
The nurse assess a 75-year-old client for side effects of verapamil. Which of the
following side effects would be of most concern for this patient?
a. Angina
b. Constipation
c. Skin rash
d. HTN - Answers - b. Constipation
Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker used to treat angina. Constipation is a frequent
complaint of patients taking verapamil. Older patients are at higher risk of complications
related to constipation.
Albuterol/ipratropium is a combination agent- one is a beta2- adrenergic agonist and the
other is an anticholinergic medication, and in combination they produce an overall
bronchodilation effect. Common side and adverse effects include, headache, dizziness,
dry mouth, tremors, nervousness, and tachycardia. The other options are not
specifically associated with this medication.
A client begins therapy with theophylline. The nurse plans to teach the client to limit the
intake of which items while taking this medication?
a. oysters, lobster, and shrimp
b. coffee, cola, and chocolate
c. cottage cheese, cream cheese, and dairy creamers
d. melons, oranges, and pineapple - Answers - b. Coffee, cola, and chocolate
Theophylline is a methylxanthine bronchodilator. The nurse teaches the client to limit
the intake of xanthine containing foods while taking this medication. These foods
include coffee, cola, and chocolate.
The nurse has just administered the first dose of omalizumab to a client. Which
statement by the client alerts the nurse of a life-threatening effect?
a. "I am nauseated and may vomit"
b. "This medication has minimal side effects and I can return to normal activities"
QUESTIONS
During administration of theophylline, the nurse should monitor for signs of an adverse
reaction. Which symptom(s) would cause the nurse to suspect theophylline toxicity?
a. Sedation
b. urinary retention
c. dry mouth
d. nausea and vomiting - Answers - d. nausea and vomiting
Signs of toxicity are anorexia, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, tachycardia, arrhythmias,
and seizures. The other options are common side effects of antihistamines but do not
indicate an adverse reaction to theophylline.
A nurse has an order to administer theophylline PO to a client. The nurse determines
that a theophylline level drawn yesterday was 22 mcg/mL. Based on this information,
which action should the nurse take first?
a. redraw the theophylline level to confirm the level
b. start the client on a half-dose of theophylline PO
c. the theophylline dose can be administered as planned
d. hold the theophylline dose and notify the HCP - Answers - d. hold the theophylline
dose and notify the HCP
The therapeutic range for theophylline is 10 to 20 mcg/mL, so the theophylline dose
should be held for fear of causing toxicity. The dose should be held and the HCP should
be contacted.
The nurse is caring for a client receiving an albuterol/ipratropium nebulized breathing
treatment. Which report from the client should the nurse note as an expected side effect
of this combination medication?
a. "my eyes have been watering lately"
b. "I havent had a bowel movement in 4 days"
c. "I feel more bloated than usual"
d. "I feel like my heart is racing" - Answers - d. "I feel like my heart is racing"
A client has a prescription to take guaifenesin. The nurse determines that the client
understands the proper administration of this medication if the client states that she or
he will perform which action?
a. Take the tablet with a full glass of water
b. Take an extra dose if fever develops
c. Decrease the amount of daily fluid intake
d. Take the medication with meals only - Answers - A. Take the tablet with a full glass
of water
,Guaifenesin is an expectorant and should be taken with a full glass of water to decrease
the viscosity of secretions. Extra doses should not be taken. The client should contact
the primary health care provider if the cough lasts longer than one week or is
accompanied by fever, rash, sore throat, or persistent headache. Fluids are needed to
decrease the viscosity of secretions. The medication does not need to be taken with
meals.
The nurse is discharging a client diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). Which discharge instructions should the nurse provide regarding the client's
prescription for prednisone?
a. The medication should never be abruptly discontinued
b. Stop taking the prednisone if a noticeable weight gain occurs
c. Take the prednisone on an empty stomach with a full glass of water
d. If you miss a dose of the medication, take two tablets the next time - Answers - a.
The medication should never be abruptly discontinued
Prednisone, is not abruptly discontinued because cortisol (a glucocorticoid) is necessary
to sustain life and the adrenal glands stop producing cortisol while the client is taking it.
The medication must be tapered off to prevent life-threatening complications.
Which information should the nurse teach the client who is prescribed fluticasone
propionate (Flovent) inhaler?
a. Advise the client to gargle after each administration.
b. Instruct the client to use the inhaler on a PRN basis.
c. Teach the client to check his or her forced expiratory volume daily
d. Encourage the client not to use a spacer when using the inhaler. - Answers - a.
Advise the client to gargle after each administration.
Gargling after each administration will help decrease the development of oropharyngeal
yeast infections. This medication is intended for preventive therapy, not for aborting an
ongoing asthma attack, and they should not be taken on a PRN basis. A spacer, a
device that attaches directly to the metered-dose inhaler, should be used because a
spacer increases the delivery of the drug to the lungs and decreases deposition of the
drug on the oropharyngeal mucosa. Forced expiratory volume is the single most useful
test of lung function, but the instrument required is a spirometer, which is expensive,
cumbersome, and not suited for home use.
A nurse is about to administer albuterol (Ventolin HFA) 2 puff and budesonide
(Pulmicort) 2 puff by metered dose inhaler. The nurse plans to administer this
medication in which of the following ways?
a. albuterol first then budesonide
b. budesonide inhaler first then inhaler
c. alternating with a single puff each, starting with albuterol
d. alternating with a single puff each, starting with budesonide - Answers - a. albuterol
first then budesonide
, The nurse should administer albuterol first, wait 2-5 minutes (unless otherwise
instructed by the health care provider), then administer the budesonide.
That patient states, "I always put my nitroglycerin (NTG) patch in the same place so I do
not forget to take it off." What is the best response by the nurse?
a. "Change the patch every 24 hours"
b. "Massage into skin if ointment comes in contact with your hands"
c. "After removing the patch, scrub the area vigorously with soap and water."
d. "Rotate the NTG patch to a different hairless area each day" - Answers - d. "Rotate
the NTG patch to a different hairless area each day"
Nitroglycerin patches should be rotated to a different hairless area each day to reduce
skin irritation.
The nurse assess a 75-year-old client for side effects of verapamil. Which of the
following side effects would be of most concern for this patient?
a. Angina
b. Constipation
c. Skin rash
d. HTN - Answers - b. Constipation
Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker used to treat angina. Constipation is a frequent
complaint of patients taking verapamil. Older patients are at higher risk of complications
related to constipation.
Albuterol/ipratropium is a combination agent- one is a beta2- adrenergic agonist and the
other is an anticholinergic medication, and in combination they produce an overall
bronchodilation effect. Common side and adverse effects include, headache, dizziness,
dry mouth, tremors, nervousness, and tachycardia. The other options are not
specifically associated with this medication.
A client begins therapy with theophylline. The nurse plans to teach the client to limit the
intake of which items while taking this medication?
a. oysters, lobster, and shrimp
b. coffee, cola, and chocolate
c. cottage cheese, cream cheese, and dairy creamers
d. melons, oranges, and pineapple - Answers - b. Coffee, cola, and chocolate
Theophylline is a methylxanthine bronchodilator. The nurse teaches the client to limit
the intake of xanthine containing foods while taking this medication. These foods
include coffee, cola, and chocolate.
The nurse has just administered the first dose of omalizumab to a client. Which
statement by the client alerts the nurse of a life-threatening effect?
a. "I am nauseated and may vomit"
b. "This medication has minimal side effects and I can return to normal activities"
