Respiratory Drugs - NCLEX Questions
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1. A client has a prescription to take guaifenesin (Mucinex). The nurse deter-
mines that the client understands the proper administration of this medication
if the client states that he or she will perform which action?
a) Take an extra dose if fever develops.
b) Take the medication with meals only.
c) Take the tablet with a full glass of water.
d) Decrease the amount of daily fluid intake.: c) Take the tablet with a full glass of water.
Rationale: Guaifenesin (Mucinex) 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 health care provider if the cough
lasts longer than 1 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 have to be taken with meals.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer a dose of naloxone hydrochloride in-
travenously to a client with an intravenous opioid overdose. Which supportive
medical equipment should the nurse plan to have at the client's bedside if
needed?
a) Nasogastric tube
b) Paracentesis tray
c) Resuscitation equipment
d) Central line insertion tray: c) Resuscitation equipment
Rationale: The nurse administering naloxone for suspected opioid overdose should have resuscitation equipment
readily available to support naloxone therapy if it is needed. Other adjuncts that may be needed include oxygen,
mechanical ventilator, and vasopressors.
3. The nurse teaches a client about the effects of diphenhydramine (Benadryl),
which has been prescribed as a cough suppressant. The nurse determines that
the client needs further instruction if the client makes which statement?
a) "I will take the medication on an empty stomach."
b) "I won't drink alcohol while taking this medication."
c) "I will use sugarless gum, candy, or oral rinses to decrease dryness in my
, Respiratory Drugs - NCLEX Questions
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mouth."
d) "I won't do activities that require mental alertness while taking this medica-
tion.": a) "I will take the medication on an empty stomach."
Rationale: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) has several uses, including as an antihistamine, antitussive, antidyskinetic, and
sedative-hypnotic. Instructions for use include taking with food or milk to decrease gastrointestinal upset and using
oral rinses or sugarless gum or hard candy to minimize dry mouth. Because the medication causes drowsiness, the
client should avoid use of alcohol or central nervous system depressants, operating a car, or engaging in other activities
requiring mental awareness during use.
4. A cromolyn sodium inhaler is prescribed for a client with allergic asthma.
The nurse provides instructions regarding the side and adverse effects of this
medication and should tell the client that which undesirable effect is associated
with this medication?
a) Insomnia
b) Constipation
c) Hypotension
d) Bronchospasm: d) Bronchospasm
Rationale: Cromolyn sodium is an inhaled nonsteroidal antiallergy agent and a mast cell stabilizer. Undesirable effects
associated with inhalation therapy of cromolyn sodium are bronchospasm, cough, nasal congestion, throat irritation,
and wheezing. Clients receiving this medication orally may experience pruritus, nausea, diarrhea, and myalgia.
5. Terbutaline is prescribed for a client with bronchitis. The nurse understands
that this medication should be used with caution if which medical condition is
present in the client?
a) Osteoarthritis
b) Hypothyroidism
c) Diabetes mellitus
d) Polycystic disease: c) Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Terbutaline is a bronchodilator and is contraindicated in clients with hypersensitivity to sympathomimetics. It
, Respiratory Drugs - NCLEX Questions
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should be used with caution in clients with impaired cardiac function, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperthyroidism,
or a history of seizures. The medication may increase blood glucose levels.
6. Zafirlukast (Accolate) is prescribed for a client with bronchial asthma. Which
laboratory test does the nurse expect to be prescribed before the administra-
tion of this medication?
a) Platelet count
b) Neutrophil count
c) Liver function tests
d) Complete blood count: c) Liver function tests
Rationale: Zafirlukast (Accolate) is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used in the prophylaxis and long-term treatment of
bronchial asthma. Zafirlukast is used with caution in clients with impaired hepatic function. Liver function laboratory tests
should be performed to obtain a baseline, and the levels should be monitored during administration of the medication.
7. A client has been taking isoniazid for 1½ months. The client complains to the
nurse about numbness, paresthesias, and tingling in the extremities. The nurse
interprets that the client is experiencing which problem?
a) Hypercalcemia
b) Peripheral neuritis
c) Small blood vessel spasm
d) Impaired peripheral circulation: b) Peripheral neuritis
Rationale: Isoniazid is an antitubercular medication. A common side effect of isoniazid is peripheral neuritis, manifested
by numbness, tingling, and paresthesias in the extremities. This can be minimized with pyridoxine (vitamin B6) intake.
8. A client is to begin a 6-month course of therapy with isoniazid. The nurse
should plan to teach the client to take which action?
a) Use alcohol in small amounts only.
b) Report yellow eyes or skin immediately.
c) Increase intake of Swiss or aged cheeses.
d) Avoid vitamin supplements during therapy.: b) Report yellow eyes or skin immediately.
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hxeryg
1. A client has a prescription to take guaifenesin (Mucinex). The nurse deter-
mines that the client understands the proper administration of this medication
if the client states that he or she will perform which action?
a) Take an extra dose if fever develops.
b) Take the medication with meals only.
c) Take the tablet with a full glass of water.
d) Decrease the amount of daily fluid intake.: c) Take the tablet with a full glass of water.
Rationale: Guaifenesin (Mucinex) 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 health care provider if the cough
lasts longer than 1 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 have to be taken with meals.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer a dose of naloxone hydrochloride in-
travenously to a client with an intravenous opioid overdose. Which supportive
medical equipment should the nurse plan to have at the client's bedside if
needed?
a) Nasogastric tube
b) Paracentesis tray
c) Resuscitation equipment
d) Central line insertion tray: c) Resuscitation equipment
Rationale: The nurse administering naloxone for suspected opioid overdose should have resuscitation equipment
readily available to support naloxone therapy if it is needed. Other adjuncts that may be needed include oxygen,
mechanical ventilator, and vasopressors.
3. The nurse teaches a client about the effects of diphenhydramine (Benadryl),
which has been prescribed as a cough suppressant. The nurse determines that
the client needs further instruction if the client makes which statement?
a) "I will take the medication on an empty stomach."
b) "I won't drink alcohol while taking this medication."
c) "I will use sugarless gum, candy, or oral rinses to decrease dryness in my
, Respiratory Drugs - NCLEX Questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hxeryg
mouth."
d) "I won't do activities that require mental alertness while taking this medica-
tion.": a) "I will take the medication on an empty stomach."
Rationale: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) has several uses, including as an antihistamine, antitussive, antidyskinetic, and
sedative-hypnotic. Instructions for use include taking with food or milk to decrease gastrointestinal upset and using
oral rinses or sugarless gum or hard candy to minimize dry mouth. Because the medication causes drowsiness, the
client should avoid use of alcohol or central nervous system depressants, operating a car, or engaging in other activities
requiring mental awareness during use.
4. A cromolyn sodium inhaler is prescribed for a client with allergic asthma.
The nurse provides instructions regarding the side and adverse effects of this
medication and should tell the client that which undesirable effect is associated
with this medication?
a) Insomnia
b) Constipation
c) Hypotension
d) Bronchospasm: d) Bronchospasm
Rationale: Cromolyn sodium is an inhaled nonsteroidal antiallergy agent and a mast cell stabilizer. Undesirable effects
associated with inhalation therapy of cromolyn sodium are bronchospasm, cough, nasal congestion, throat irritation,
and wheezing. Clients receiving this medication orally may experience pruritus, nausea, diarrhea, and myalgia.
5. Terbutaline is prescribed for a client with bronchitis. The nurse understands
that this medication should be used with caution if which medical condition is
present in the client?
a) Osteoarthritis
b) Hypothyroidism
c) Diabetes mellitus
d) Polycystic disease: c) Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Terbutaline is a bronchodilator and is contraindicated in clients with hypersensitivity to sympathomimetics. It
, Respiratory Drugs - NCLEX Questions
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_hxeryg
should be used with caution in clients with impaired cardiac function, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperthyroidism,
or a history of seizures. The medication may increase blood glucose levels.
6. Zafirlukast (Accolate) is prescribed for a client with bronchial asthma. Which
laboratory test does the nurse expect to be prescribed before the administra-
tion of this medication?
a) Platelet count
b) Neutrophil count
c) Liver function tests
d) Complete blood count: c) Liver function tests
Rationale: Zafirlukast (Accolate) is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used in the prophylaxis and long-term treatment of
bronchial asthma. Zafirlukast is used with caution in clients with impaired hepatic function. Liver function laboratory tests
should be performed to obtain a baseline, and the levels should be monitored during administration of the medication.
7. A client has been taking isoniazid for 1½ months. The client complains to the
nurse about numbness, paresthesias, and tingling in the extremities. The nurse
interprets that the client is experiencing which problem?
a) Hypercalcemia
b) Peripheral neuritis
c) Small blood vessel spasm
d) Impaired peripheral circulation: b) Peripheral neuritis
Rationale: Isoniazid is an antitubercular medication. A common side effect of isoniazid is peripheral neuritis, manifested
by numbness, tingling, and paresthesias in the extremities. This can be minimized with pyridoxine (vitamin B6) intake.
8. A client is to begin a 6-month course of therapy with isoniazid. The nurse
should plan to teach the client to take which action?
a) Use alcohol in small amounts only.
b) Report yellow eyes or skin immediately.
c) Increase intake of Swiss or aged cheeses.
d) Avoid vitamin supplements during therapy.: b) Report yellow eyes or skin immediately.
