1. When reviewing the allergy history of a patient, the nurse notes that the patient is allergic to penicillin. Based on
this finding, the nurse would question an order for which class of antibiotics?
a. Tetracyclines
b. Sulfonamides
c. Cephalosporins
d. Quinolones
2. The nurse is providing teaching to a patient taking an oral tetracycline antibiotic. Which statement by the nurse
is correct?
a. “Avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds while on this medication.”
b. “Milk and cheese products result in increased levels of tetracycline.”
c. “Antacids taken with the medication help to reduce gastrointestinal distress.”
d. “Take the medication until you are feeling better.”
3. When reviewing the medication orders for a patient who is taking penicillin, the nurse notes that the patient is also
taking the oral anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin). What possible effect may occur as the result of an interaction
between these drugs?
a. The penicillin will cause an enhanced anticoagulant effect of the warfarin.
b. The penicillin will cause the anticoagulant effect of the warfarin to decrease.
c. The warfarin will reduce the anti-infective action of the penicillin.
d. The warfarin will increase the effectiveness of the penicillin.
4. A patient is receiving his third intravenous dose of a penicillin drug. He calls the nurse to report that he is
feeling “anxious” and is having trouble breathing. What will the nurse do first?
a. Notify the prescriber.
b. Take the patient’s vital signs.
c. Stop the antibiotic infusion.
d. Check for allergies.
5. A patient is admitted with a fever of 102.8° F (39.3° C), origin unknown. Assessment reveals cloudy, foul-smelling
urine that is dark amber in color. Orders have just been written to obtain stat urine and blood cultures and to
administer an antibiotic intravenously. The nurse will complete these orders in which sequence?
a. Blood culture, antibiotic dose, urine culture
b. Urine culture, antibiotic dose, blood culture
c. Antibiotic dose, blood and urine cultures
d. Blood and urine cultures, antibiotic dose
6. During drug therapy with a tetracycline antibiotic, a patient complains of some nausea and decreased appetite.
Which statement is the nurse’s best advice to the patient?
a. “Take it with cheese and crackers or yogurt.”
b. “Take each dose with a glass of milk.”
c. “Take an antacid with each dose as needed.”
d. “Drink a full glass of water with each dose.”
7. The nurse is monitoring a patient who has been on antibiotic therapy for 2 weeks. Today the patient tells the nurse
that he has had watery diarrhea since the day before and is having abdominal cramps. His oral temperature is 101° F
(38.3° C). Based on these findings, which conclusion will the nurse draw?
a. The patient’s original infection has not responded to the antibiotic therapy.
b. The patient is showing typical adverse effects of antibiotic therapy.
c. The patient needs to be tested for Clostridium difficile infection.
d. The patient will need to take a different antibiotic.
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, 8. The nurse is monitoring for therapeutic results of antibiotic therapy in a patient with an infection. Which laboratory
value would indicate therapeutic effectiveness of this therapy?
a. Increased red blood cell count
b. Increased hemoglobin level
c. Decreased white blood cell count
d. Decreased platelet count
9. A patient has a urinary tract infection. The nurse knows that which class of drugs is especially useful for such infections?
a. Macrolides
b. Carbapenems
c. Sulfonamides
d. Tetracyclines
10. During drug therapy for pneumonia, a female patient develops a vaginal superinfection. The nurse explains that
this infection is caused by:
a. large doses of antibiotics that kill normal flora.
b. the infection spreading from her lungs to the new site of infection.
c. resistance of the pneumonia-causing bacteria to the drugs.
d. an allergic reaction to the antibiotics.
11. When a patient is on aminoglycoside therapy, the nurse will monitor the patient for which indicators of potential
toxicity?
a. Fever
b. White blood cell count of 8000 cells/mm3
c. Tinnitus and dizziness
d. Decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels
12. The nurse is administering a vancomycin (Vancocin) infusion. Which measure is appropriate for the nurse to
implement in order to reduce complications that may occur with this drug’s administration?
a. Monitoring blood pressure for hypertension during the infusion
b. Discontinuing the drug immediately if red man syndrome occurs
c. Restricting fluids during vancomycin therapy
d. Infusing the drug over at least 1 hour
13. A 79-year-old patient is receiving a quinolone as treatment for a complicated incision infection. The nurse will monitor
for which adverse effect that is associated with these drugs?
a. Neuralgia
b. Double vision
c. Hypotension
d. Tendonitis and tendon rupture
14. A patient who is diagnosed with shingles is taking topical acyclovir, and the nurse is providing instructions about
adverse effects. The nurse will discuss which adverse effects of topical acyclovir therapy?
a. Insomnia and nervousness
b. Temporary swelling and rash
c. Burning when applied
d. This medication has no adverse effects.
15. If a patient is taking fluconazole (Diflucan) with an oral anticoagulant, the nurse will monitor for which
possible interaction?
a. Reduced action of oral anticoagulants
b. Increased effects of oral anticoagulants
c. Hypokalemia
d. Decreased effectiveness of the antifungal drug
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