Pharmacology Exam One Practice
Questions & Answers 100% Accurate!!
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving intravenous theophylline. The patient complains of
headache and nausea. The nurse will contact the provider to
a. change the medication to an oral theophylline.
b. obtain an order for a serum theophylline level.
c. request an order for an analgesic medication.
d. suggest an alternative methylxanthine medication. - ANSWER ANS: B
Theophylline has a narrow therapeutic index and a risk for severe symptoms with toxic levels. When
patients
report symptoms of theophylline adverse effects, a serum drug level should be obtained. Giving an
oral
Test Bank - Pharmacology: A Patient-Centered Nursing Process Approach (9th Edition, 2017) 201
theophylline would only compound the problem if the patient has a toxic drug level. Analgesics may
be used,
but only after toxicity is ruled out. Adding a different methylxanthine will compound the symptoms
and will
likely result in drug interaction or unwanted synergism.
1. The nurse is caring for a patient recently diagnosed with mild emphysema and provides teaching
about the
disease and medications for treatment. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of
the
medication regimen?
a. I should use albuterol when my symptoms worsen.
b. I will need to take oral prednisone on a daily basis.
c. My provider will prescribe prophylactic antibiotics.
d. My symptoms are reversible with proper medications. - ANSWER ANS: A
Albuterol is used to treat bronchospasm during symptom flares. Oral prednisone is given for acute
flares but
, not generally on a daily basis until symptoms are chronic and severe because of the risk of adrenal
suppression.
Prophylactic antibiotics are not given regularly because of the risk of antibiotic resistance. Symptoms
of
emphysema are not reversible.
The nurse is teaching a patient who will begin taking oral theophylline (Theo-Dur) when discharged
home
from the hospital. What information will the nurse include when teaching the patient about this
drug?
a. An extra dose should be taken when symptoms worsen.
b. Anorexia and gastrointestinal upset are unexpected side effects.
c. Avoid caffeine while taking this medication.
d. Food will decrease the amount of drug absorbed. - ANSWER ANS: C
Caffeine and theophylline are both xanthine derivatives and should not be taken together because of
the
increased risk of toxicity and severe adverse effects. Theophylline has a narrow therapeutic range
and must be
dosed carefully; patients should never increase or decrease the dose without consulting their
provider.
Gastrointestinal symptoms are common side effects. Food slows absorption but does not prevent the
full dose
from being absorbed.
The nurse is caring for a patient who will begin taking theophylline at home. During the assessment,
the
nurse learns that the patient smokes. The nurse reports this to the provider and will expect the
provider to
a. decrease the dose of theophylline.
b. increase the dose of theophylline.
c. keep the theophylline dose as ordered.
d. discontinue the theophylline. - ANSWER ANS: B
Tobacco smoking increases the metabolism of theophylline, so the dose should be increased.
Decreasing the
dose will lead to subtherapeutic effects.
Questions & Answers 100% Accurate!!
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving intravenous theophylline. The patient complains of
headache and nausea. The nurse will contact the provider to
a. change the medication to an oral theophylline.
b. obtain an order for a serum theophylline level.
c. request an order for an analgesic medication.
d. suggest an alternative methylxanthine medication. - ANSWER ANS: B
Theophylline has a narrow therapeutic index and a risk for severe symptoms with toxic levels. When
patients
report symptoms of theophylline adverse effects, a serum drug level should be obtained. Giving an
oral
Test Bank - Pharmacology: A Patient-Centered Nursing Process Approach (9th Edition, 2017) 201
theophylline would only compound the problem if the patient has a toxic drug level. Analgesics may
be used,
but only after toxicity is ruled out. Adding a different methylxanthine will compound the symptoms
and will
likely result in drug interaction or unwanted synergism.
1. The nurse is caring for a patient recently diagnosed with mild emphysema and provides teaching
about the
disease and medications for treatment. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of
the
medication regimen?
a. I should use albuterol when my symptoms worsen.
b. I will need to take oral prednisone on a daily basis.
c. My provider will prescribe prophylactic antibiotics.
d. My symptoms are reversible with proper medications. - ANSWER ANS: A
Albuterol is used to treat bronchospasm during symptom flares. Oral prednisone is given for acute
flares but
, not generally on a daily basis until symptoms are chronic and severe because of the risk of adrenal
suppression.
Prophylactic antibiotics are not given regularly because of the risk of antibiotic resistance. Symptoms
of
emphysema are not reversible.
The nurse is teaching a patient who will begin taking oral theophylline (Theo-Dur) when discharged
home
from the hospital. What information will the nurse include when teaching the patient about this
drug?
a. An extra dose should be taken when symptoms worsen.
b. Anorexia and gastrointestinal upset are unexpected side effects.
c. Avoid caffeine while taking this medication.
d. Food will decrease the amount of drug absorbed. - ANSWER ANS: C
Caffeine and theophylline are both xanthine derivatives and should not be taken together because of
the
increased risk of toxicity and severe adverse effects. Theophylline has a narrow therapeutic range
and must be
dosed carefully; patients should never increase or decrease the dose without consulting their
provider.
Gastrointestinal symptoms are common side effects. Food slows absorption but does not prevent the
full dose
from being absorbed.
The nurse is caring for a patient who will begin taking theophylline at home. During the assessment,
the
nurse learns that the patient smokes. The nurse reports this to the provider and will expect the
provider to
a. decrease the dose of theophylline.
b. increase the dose of theophylline.
c. keep the theophylline dose as ordered.
d. discontinue the theophylline. - ANSWER ANS: B
Tobacco smoking increases the metabolism of theophylline, so the dose should be increased.
Decreasing the
dose will lead to subtherapeutic effects.
