Chapter 45 Antiviral Drugs
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient diagnosed with shingles is prescribed topical acyclovir (Zovirax®). What important
adverse effects should the nurse warn this patient about?
a. Insomnia and nervousness
b. Temporary swelling and
rash c. Burning of the skin
d. No adverse effects
ANS C
Burning of the skin may occur with the topical application of
acyclovir. DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
2. A patient who has had a bone marrow transplant has contracted cytomegalovirus (CMV)
retinitis. Which drug is preferable for this patient?
a. acyclovir (Zovirax®)
b. foscarnet (Foscavir®)
c. ganciclovir (Cytovene®)
d. amantadine (Dom-Amantidine®)
ANS B
Foscarnet is indicated for the treatment of CMV retinitis and is less toxic to the bone marrow
than ganciclovir is.
DIF Cognitive Level Knowledge
3. Which is a true statement about amantadine (Dom-Amantidine) therapy?
a. It causes less central nervous system (CNS) toxicity than
rimantadine. b. It is commonly used to treat influenza A and influenza
B.
, c. It should not be given to women who are breastfeeding.
d. It has a longer half-life than rimantadine and may be dosed less
frequently. ANS C
Amantadine is contraindicated in lactating women, in patients with a
hypersensitivity to it, in children younger than 12 months, and in patients
with an eczematic rash. Amantadine is active only against influenza A viruses.
Compared with amantadine, rimantadine has a longer half-life, may be dosed
less frequently, and causes less CNS toxicity.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
4. A patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been taking zidovudine (AZT)
therapy for almost 1 year. The physician has decided to change the medication to didanosine (Videx
EC®). The patient is very concerned about this medication change. What is the nurse’s best
explanation to the patient?
a. Didanosine has fewer toxic effects than zidovudine.
b. Didanosine has been shown to improve survival rates.
c. Taking the zidovudine with the didanosine might have led to serious toxicity.
d. The patient may have been experiencing bone marrow suppression due to the
zidovudine therapy.
ANS D
Bone marrow suppression is often the reason why a patient with a human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) infection needs to be switched to another anti-HIV drug, such as didanosine. Zidovudine and
didanosine can be taken together by cutting back on the doses of both, thus decreasing the likelihood
of toxicity.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
5. The nurse is administering acyclovir
(Zovirax). Which statement is true?
a. Intravenous (IV) infusions should be administered slowly, over at least 1
hour. b. IV infusions should be administered by rapid IV bolus.
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient diagnosed with shingles is prescribed topical acyclovir (Zovirax®). What important
adverse effects should the nurse warn this patient about?
a. Insomnia and nervousness
b. Temporary swelling and
rash c. Burning of the skin
d. No adverse effects
ANS C
Burning of the skin may occur with the topical application of
acyclovir. DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
2. A patient who has had a bone marrow transplant has contracted cytomegalovirus (CMV)
retinitis. Which drug is preferable for this patient?
a. acyclovir (Zovirax®)
b. foscarnet (Foscavir®)
c. ganciclovir (Cytovene®)
d. amantadine (Dom-Amantidine®)
ANS B
Foscarnet is indicated for the treatment of CMV retinitis and is less toxic to the bone marrow
than ganciclovir is.
DIF Cognitive Level Knowledge
3. Which is a true statement about amantadine (Dom-Amantidine) therapy?
a. It causes less central nervous system (CNS) toxicity than
rimantadine. b. It is commonly used to treat influenza A and influenza
B.
, c. It should not be given to women who are breastfeeding.
d. It has a longer half-life than rimantadine and may be dosed less
frequently. ANS C
Amantadine is contraindicated in lactating women, in patients with a
hypersensitivity to it, in children younger than 12 months, and in patients
with an eczematic rash. Amantadine is active only against influenza A viruses.
Compared with amantadine, rimantadine has a longer half-life, may be dosed
less frequently, and causes less CNS toxicity.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
4. A patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been taking zidovudine (AZT)
therapy for almost 1 year. The physician has decided to change the medication to didanosine (Videx
EC®). The patient is very concerned about this medication change. What is the nurse’s best
explanation to the patient?
a. Didanosine has fewer toxic effects than zidovudine.
b. Didanosine has been shown to improve survival rates.
c. Taking the zidovudine with the didanosine might have led to serious toxicity.
d. The patient may have been experiencing bone marrow suppression due to the
zidovudine therapy.
ANS D
Bone marrow suppression is often the reason why a patient with a human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) infection needs to be switched to another anti-HIV drug, such as didanosine. Zidovudine and
didanosine can be taken together by cutting back on the doses of both, thus decreasing the likelihood
of toxicity.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
5. The nurse is administering acyclovir
(Zovirax). Which statement is true?
a. Intravenous (IV) infusions should be administered slowly, over at least 1
hour. b. IV infusions should be administered by rapid IV bolus.
