NURS 317 Pharmacology Exam 4 Practice
Questions with Correct Answers Plus Rationale |
New Update 2026/27 | Graded A+
**A client is receiving an antihistamine through intranasal route for treatment of
an upper respiratory condition. The nurse should expect to administer which
medication?**
A) Beclomethasone (Beconase)
B) Azelastine (Astelin)
C) Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
D) Mometasone (Nasonex)
Correct Answer:B) Azelastine (Astelin)
- Rationale:Azelastine is an antihistamine that is available as an intranasal spray
for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Beclomethasone and Mometasone are
intranasal corticosteroids, not antihistamines. Cetirizine is an oral antihistamine,
not administered intranasally.
---
**A nurse is caring for a client receiving the antitussive dextromethorphan
(Robitussin A-C). What should the nurse emphasize during medication teaching
with the client?**
,A) The medication is irritating to the bronchial tree.
B) The cost of the medication can be expensive.
C) The medication can cause motor dysfunction.
D) The client may use the medication for 14 days.
Correct Answer:C) The medication can cause motor dysfunction.
- Rationale:Dextromethorphan is a non-opioid antitussive that acts on the cough
center in the medulla. At higher doses, it can cause central nervous system effects,
including dizziness, confusion, and motor dysfunction. Patients should be
cautioned about activities requiring alertness. The medication is not known to be
irritating to the bronchial tree and is generally inexpensive. It should not be used
for more than 7 days without consulting a healthcare provider.
---
**A client is using an intranasal oxymetazoline (Afrin) for treatment of nasal
congestion. Which instruction should the nurse include during client teaching?**
A) Monitor respiratory rate.
B) Limit use of the drug to 3-5 days.
C) Drink plenty of fluids.
D) Use with caution with SSRIs.
Correct Answer:B) Limit use of the drug to 3-5 days.
,- Rationale:Oxymetazoline is a topical nasal decongestant (alpha-adrenergic
agonist). Prolonged use (beyond 3-5 days) leads to rebound nasal congestion
(rhinitis medicamentosa) due to tolerance and vasodilation. This is the most
critical patient teaching point. Monitoring respiratory rate, drinking fluids, and
SSRI interactions are not specific or primary concerns with this medication.
---
**A client will be receiving an opioid antitussive for a cough associated with a cold
infection. For what should the nurse assess in the client prior to administering the
medication?**
A) Hypertension
B) Asthma
C) Headache
D) Sore throat
Correct Answer:B) Asthma
- Rationale:Opioid antitussives (like codeine) suppress the cough reflex by acting
on the medullary cough center. This can be dangerous in patients with asthma
because coughing is a protective mechanism to clear airways. Suppressing the
cough can lead to mucus accumulation and worsening bronchospasm. Assessment
for a history of asthma is crucial before administration.
---
**The client is receiving an antitussive with codeine for treatment of a cough.
Which statement made by the client requires further teaching by the nurse?**
, A) "I will avoid driving while I am on this medication."
B) "I will take my medicine with red wine to help me sleep."
C) "I will notify my doctor if my breathing changes."
D) "I will keep this medication away from my children."
Correct Answer:B) "I will take my medicine with red wine to help me sleep."
- Rationale:Codeine is an opioid antitussive that causes CNS depression.
Combining it with alcohol (red wine) can potentiate CNS depression, leading to
severe sedation, respiratory depression, and even death. The other statements
indicate good understanding: avoiding driving (due to drowsiness), notifying the
doctor of respiratory changes, and keeping medication away from children (risk of
overdose).
---
**A nurse is caring for a client with chronic bronchitis and is prescribed
acetylcysteine to loosen bronchial secretions. The nurse should administer this
medication by which route?**
A) Inhalation
B) Oral
C) Intravenous
D) Intramuscular injection
Correct Answer:A) Inhalation
Questions with Correct Answers Plus Rationale |
New Update 2026/27 | Graded A+
**A client is receiving an antihistamine through intranasal route for treatment of
an upper respiratory condition. The nurse should expect to administer which
medication?**
A) Beclomethasone (Beconase)
B) Azelastine (Astelin)
C) Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
D) Mometasone (Nasonex)
Correct Answer:B) Azelastine (Astelin)
- Rationale:Azelastine is an antihistamine that is available as an intranasal spray
for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Beclomethasone and Mometasone are
intranasal corticosteroids, not antihistamines. Cetirizine is an oral antihistamine,
not administered intranasally.
---
**A nurse is caring for a client receiving the antitussive dextromethorphan
(Robitussin A-C). What should the nurse emphasize during medication teaching
with the client?**
,A) The medication is irritating to the bronchial tree.
B) The cost of the medication can be expensive.
C) The medication can cause motor dysfunction.
D) The client may use the medication for 14 days.
Correct Answer:C) The medication can cause motor dysfunction.
- Rationale:Dextromethorphan is a non-opioid antitussive that acts on the cough
center in the medulla. At higher doses, it can cause central nervous system effects,
including dizziness, confusion, and motor dysfunction. Patients should be
cautioned about activities requiring alertness. The medication is not known to be
irritating to the bronchial tree and is generally inexpensive. It should not be used
for more than 7 days without consulting a healthcare provider.
---
**A client is using an intranasal oxymetazoline (Afrin) for treatment of nasal
congestion. Which instruction should the nurse include during client teaching?**
A) Monitor respiratory rate.
B) Limit use of the drug to 3-5 days.
C) Drink plenty of fluids.
D) Use with caution with SSRIs.
Correct Answer:B) Limit use of the drug to 3-5 days.
,- Rationale:Oxymetazoline is a topical nasal decongestant (alpha-adrenergic
agonist). Prolonged use (beyond 3-5 days) leads to rebound nasal congestion
(rhinitis medicamentosa) due to tolerance and vasodilation. This is the most
critical patient teaching point. Monitoring respiratory rate, drinking fluids, and
SSRI interactions are not specific or primary concerns with this medication.
---
**A client will be receiving an opioid antitussive for a cough associated with a cold
infection. For what should the nurse assess in the client prior to administering the
medication?**
A) Hypertension
B) Asthma
C) Headache
D) Sore throat
Correct Answer:B) Asthma
- Rationale:Opioid antitussives (like codeine) suppress the cough reflex by acting
on the medullary cough center. This can be dangerous in patients with asthma
because coughing is a protective mechanism to clear airways. Suppressing the
cough can lead to mucus accumulation and worsening bronchospasm. Assessment
for a history of asthma is crucial before administration.
---
**The client is receiving an antitussive with codeine for treatment of a cough.
Which statement made by the client requires further teaching by the nurse?**
, A) "I will avoid driving while I am on this medication."
B) "I will take my medicine with red wine to help me sleep."
C) "I will notify my doctor if my breathing changes."
D) "I will keep this medication away from my children."
Correct Answer:B) "I will take my medicine with red wine to help me sleep."
- Rationale:Codeine is an opioid antitussive that causes CNS depression.
Combining it with alcohol (red wine) can potentiate CNS depression, leading to
severe sedation, respiratory depression, and even death. The other statements
indicate good understanding: avoiding driving (due to drowsiness), notifying the
doctor of respiratory changes, and keeping medication away from children (risk of
overdose).
---
**A nurse is caring for a client with chronic bronchitis and is prescribed
acetylcysteine to loosen bronchial secretions. The nurse should administer this
medication by which route?**
A) Inhalation
B) Oral
C) Intravenous
D) Intramuscular injection
Correct Answer:A) Inhalation
