Pharmacotherapeutics Exam 3 - Practice
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A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus is prescribed
prednisone. It is most important for the nurse to monitor the patient for what?
A. Hypotension
B. Elevated potassium levels
C. Neck and back pain
D. Hypoglycemia - ANSWER Answer: C
Rationale: Neck and back pain from a vertebral compression fracture may occur
because of the development of osteoporosis as a result of glucocorticoid therapy.
Other possible adverse effects of prednisone include hypertension, hypokalemia,
and hyperglycemia.
*Reference Ch. 72 - Gluocorticoids*
A patient has been prescribed pharmacologic doses of glucocorticoids. It is most
important for the nurse to teach the patient to do what?
A. Increase intake of dietary sodium.
B. Take antibiotics to prevent infection.
C. Never abruptly withdraw therapy.
D. Have an eye examination every year. - ANSWER Answer: C
Rationale: Abrupt withdrawal of glucocorticoids may cause adrenal insufficiency or
an adrenal crisis. Infection should be prevented, but the use of antibiotics without a
known infection is inappropriate. Sodium intake should be restricted while the
patient is taking glucocorticoids. Eye examinations are recommended every 6
months for patients on glucocorticoid therapy.
,*Reference Ch. 72 - Glucocorticoids*
A patient has been receiving long-term prednisone therapy for treatment of
rheumatoid arthritis. The chart indicates that the patient has developed Cushing's
syndrome. When performing a physical assessment, the nurse anticipates finding all
but which manifestation of Cushing's syndrome?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Muscle weakness
C. Glucosuria
D. "Buffalo hump" - ANSWER Answer: A
Rationale: Cushing's syndrome is manifested by hyperglycemia, glycosuria, fluid
and electrolyte disturbances, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, cutaneous striations,
and lowered resistance to infection. Redistribution of fat produces a "potbelly,"
"moon face," and "buffalo hump."
*Reference Ch. 72 - Glucocorticoids*
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis has been taking high-dose aspirin and complains
of gastric upset and pain. What does the nurse anticipate will be prescribed for this
patient?
A. Taking a lower dose of aspirin
B. Biweekly injections of methotrexate [Rheumatrex]
C. Obtaining a prescription for celecoxib [Celebrex]
D. Daily drug therapy with prednisone - ANSWER Answer: C
Rationale: If aspirin causes gastrointestinal upset or pain, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-
2) inhibitor (celecoxib) should be considered. Methotrexate is administered once a
week. Daily prednisone therapy is not indicated; prednisone is usually administered
for exacerbations and as short-term therapy.
*Reference Ch. 73 - Rheumatoid Arthritis*
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate [Rheumatrex]. The
nurse will expect to observe therapeutic effects with this drug in which time period?
, A. 3 to 7 days
B. 3 to 6 weeks
C. 3 to 4 months
D. 1 to 2 years - ANSWER Answer: B
Rationale: Methotrexate acts faster than all other disease-modifying antirheumatic
drugs. Therapeutic effects may develop in 3 to 6 weeks.
*Reference Ch. 73 - Rheumatoid Arthritis*
A patient with acute gouty arthritis requests information on the preferred drug to
take to treat a painful flare-up. The nurse should recommend which medication?
A. Allopurinol
B. Febuxostat
C. Probenecid
D. Naproxen - ANSWER Answer: D
Rationale: NSAIDs and glucocorticoids are preferred drugs for treating acute gouty
attacks. Benefits derive mainly from anti-inflammatory actions. Four drugs—
allopurinol, febuxostat, probenecid, and pegloticase—are used long term to prevent
gouty attacks. Benefits derive from lowering plasma uric acid levels. These drugs
lack anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions and therefore are not effective against
acute gouty attacks. Naproxen (or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) is
considered the agent of first choice to treat acute gouty arthritis.
*Reference Ch. 74 - Drugs for Gout*
A patient is prescribed allopurinol for chronic tophaceous gout. The patient develops
a rash. What is the priority intervention by the nurse?
A. Stop the medication and assess the patient for liver and kidney failure.
B. Instruct the patient to avoid exposing the skin to sunlight.
C. Administer diphenhydramine (Benadryl) with the dose of allopurinol.
D. Monitor the patient for respiratory depression. - ANSWER Answer: A
Questions 2025 Update|Most Tested
Questions And Verified Solutions|
Assured Success !!!
A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus is prescribed
prednisone. It is most important for the nurse to monitor the patient for what?
A. Hypotension
B. Elevated potassium levels
C. Neck and back pain
D. Hypoglycemia - ANSWER Answer: C
Rationale: Neck and back pain from a vertebral compression fracture may occur
because of the development of osteoporosis as a result of glucocorticoid therapy.
Other possible adverse effects of prednisone include hypertension, hypokalemia,
and hyperglycemia.
*Reference Ch. 72 - Gluocorticoids*
A patient has been prescribed pharmacologic doses of glucocorticoids. It is most
important for the nurse to teach the patient to do what?
A. Increase intake of dietary sodium.
B. Take antibiotics to prevent infection.
C. Never abruptly withdraw therapy.
D. Have an eye examination every year. - ANSWER Answer: C
Rationale: Abrupt withdrawal of glucocorticoids may cause adrenal insufficiency or
an adrenal crisis. Infection should be prevented, but the use of antibiotics without a
known infection is inappropriate. Sodium intake should be restricted while the
patient is taking glucocorticoids. Eye examinations are recommended every 6
months for patients on glucocorticoid therapy.
,*Reference Ch. 72 - Glucocorticoids*
A patient has been receiving long-term prednisone therapy for treatment of
rheumatoid arthritis. The chart indicates that the patient has developed Cushing's
syndrome. When performing a physical assessment, the nurse anticipates finding all
but which manifestation of Cushing's syndrome?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Muscle weakness
C. Glucosuria
D. "Buffalo hump" - ANSWER Answer: A
Rationale: Cushing's syndrome is manifested by hyperglycemia, glycosuria, fluid
and electrolyte disturbances, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, cutaneous striations,
and lowered resistance to infection. Redistribution of fat produces a "potbelly,"
"moon face," and "buffalo hump."
*Reference Ch. 72 - Glucocorticoids*
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis has been taking high-dose aspirin and complains
of gastric upset and pain. What does the nurse anticipate will be prescribed for this
patient?
A. Taking a lower dose of aspirin
B. Biweekly injections of methotrexate [Rheumatrex]
C. Obtaining a prescription for celecoxib [Celebrex]
D. Daily drug therapy with prednisone - ANSWER Answer: C
Rationale: If aspirin causes gastrointestinal upset or pain, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-
2) inhibitor (celecoxib) should be considered. Methotrexate is administered once a
week. Daily prednisone therapy is not indicated; prednisone is usually administered
for exacerbations and as short-term therapy.
*Reference Ch. 73 - Rheumatoid Arthritis*
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate [Rheumatrex]. The
nurse will expect to observe therapeutic effects with this drug in which time period?
, A. 3 to 7 days
B. 3 to 6 weeks
C. 3 to 4 months
D. 1 to 2 years - ANSWER Answer: B
Rationale: Methotrexate acts faster than all other disease-modifying antirheumatic
drugs. Therapeutic effects may develop in 3 to 6 weeks.
*Reference Ch. 73 - Rheumatoid Arthritis*
A patient with acute gouty arthritis requests information on the preferred drug to
take to treat a painful flare-up. The nurse should recommend which medication?
A. Allopurinol
B. Febuxostat
C. Probenecid
D. Naproxen - ANSWER Answer: D
Rationale: NSAIDs and glucocorticoids are preferred drugs for treating acute gouty
attacks. Benefits derive mainly from anti-inflammatory actions. Four drugs—
allopurinol, febuxostat, probenecid, and pegloticase—are used long term to prevent
gouty attacks. Benefits derive from lowering plasma uric acid levels. These drugs
lack anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions and therefore are not effective against
acute gouty attacks. Naproxen (or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) is
considered the agent of first choice to treat acute gouty arthritis.
*Reference Ch. 74 - Drugs for Gout*
A patient is prescribed allopurinol for chronic tophaceous gout. The patient develops
a rash. What is the priority intervention by the nurse?
A. Stop the medication and assess the patient for liver and kidney failure.
B. Instruct the patient to avoid exposing the skin to sunlight.
C. Administer diphenhydramine (Benadryl) with the dose of allopurinol.
D. Monitor the patient for respiratory depression. - ANSWER Answer: A
