and Correct Answers
A health care professional is caring for a patient who is about to begin receiving
acyclovir (Zovirax) IV to treat a viral infection. The health care professional should
recognize that cautious use of the drug is essential if the patient also has which of
the following?
Heart failure
Dehydration
Asthma
Tinnitus
✓✓~ Dehydration
Acyclovir, an antiviral drug, can cause renal toxicity, especially in patients who are
dehydrated. Hydration during and after IV infusion of the drug can help keep it from
precipitating in the renal tubules.
A health care professional is caring for a patient who takes an oral contraceptive and
is about to begin rifampin (Rifadin) therapy to treat tuberculosis. The health care
professional should include which of the following instructions?
,Increase the rifampin dose
Increase the oral contraceptive dose
Allow 2 hr between taking the two drugs
Use additional contraception
✓✓~ Use additional contraception
Rifampin, an antimycobacerial drug, can increase the metabolism of oral
contraceptives, reducing their effectiveness. Patients taking oral contraceptives and
rifampin should use additional contraceptive methods to prevent an unwanted
pregnancy. Some antifungal drugs can also reduce the effectiveness of oral
contraceptives.
A primary care provider should prescribe a lower dose of aztreonam (Azactam) for a
patient who has a
respiratory tract infection and also has which of the following?
Glaucoma
Closed-head injury
Heart failure
Renal impairment
, ✓✓~ Renal impairment
Aztreonam, a monobactam, requires cautious use with patients who have renal
dysfunction because the kidneys eliminate it virtually intact. The primary care
provider should prescribe a lower dose for the patient or prescribe a different
antimicrobial drug.
A health care professional is caring for a patient who is about to begin taking
acyclovir (Zovirax) to treat a herpes simplex infection. The health care professional
should monitor which of the following laboratory values for the patient?
Prothrombin time
Hct
BUN
Aspartate aminotransferase
✓✓~ BUN
Acyclovir, an antiviral drug, can cause renal toxicity because of drug accumulation in
renal tubules. The health care professional should monitor the patient's urine output,
BUN, and creatinine levels, and increase fluid intake to hydrate and flush the
kidneys.
A health care professional is caring for a patient who is about to begin taking
nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin) to treat a urinary tract infection. The health care