Chapter 36 Anthelmintic Drugs
1. A public health nurse is speaking to parents of first graders. When discussing worm
infection, the nurse will explain that the most common type found in U.S. school-aged
children is what?
A) Pinworms
B) Roundworms
C)
Threadworms
D) Whipworms
Ans A
Feedback
The most common worm infection encountered in U.S. school-aged children is
pinworms. These worms are endogenous to the area and easily spread.
Roundworms, whipworms, and threadworms are not as common.
2. A mother of a 3-year-old child brings her child to the clinic. The child is diagnosed with
pinworms. What drug would be the best choice for the patient?
A) Pyrantel (Pin-Rid)
B) Ivermectin (Stromectol)
C) Mebendazole (Vermox)
D) Albendazole (Albenza)
Ans C
Feedback
Mebendazole is the most commonly used anthelmintic for pinworms because it is
available in a chewable tablet. This is a good choice for the 3-year-old patient. Pyrantel
is also prescribed for pinworms but is not available in a chewable form. Ivermectin is
prescribed for treatment of threadworm disease and albendazole is given to treat active
lesions caused by pork tapeworm and cystic disease of the liver, lungs, and peritoneum
caused by dog tapeworm.
3. A nurse is teaching a young mother about administering pyrantel (Pin-Rid, others) to her
5-year-old child. What will the nurse emphasize about how the agent is given?
A) In 3 doses as a 1-day treatment
Page 1 of 16
, B) In a morning dose and an evening dose for 3 days
C) B.I.D. for 10 days
D) Give only once
Ans D
Feedback
Pyrantel is administered orally as a single dose. Albendazole is prescribed for hydatid
disease and is given twice a day for 8 to 30 days of treatment. Mebendazole is used in
the treatment of diseases caused by pinworms, roundworms, whipworms, and
hookworms and is given in a morning and evening dose for 3 days. Praziquantel is used
to treat schistosomes and is taken in three doses as a 1-day treatment.
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, 4. A patient has been diagnosed with roundworms and is to be treated with albendazole. A
priority nursing assessment of this patient would be to determine if the patient is taking
what?
A) Cimetidine (Tagamet)
B) Pioglitazone (Actos)
C) Alprazolam
(Xanax)
D) Loperamide (Imodium)
Ans A
Feedback
The adverse effects of albendazole, which are already severe, may increase if the drug is
combined with dexamethasone, praziquantel, or cimetidine. These combinations should
be avoided if at all possible; if they are necessary, patients should be monitored closely
for the occurrence of adverse effects. Pioglitazone is an oral antidiabetic agent that could
be taken with albendazole. Loperamide is an antidiarrheal drug that may be used for
treatment of diarrhea as a result of the mebendazole and pyrantel. Alprazolam should not
be a concern.
5. What would be a priority nursing action related to the care of a patient taking
albendazole (Albenza)?
A) Check blood pressure, pulse, and respirations
B) Weigh the patient
C) Monitor renal function
D) Encourage small, frequent meals
Ans C
Feedback
It is important that the patients kidney function be monitored because a serious
adverse effect of this drug is renal failure. Even though vital signs, weight, and
nutrition are important and should be monitored, if the patient exhibits any signs of
renal failure the drug should be stopped immediately.
6. The nurse is caring for an adult patient receiving a prescription for an anthelmintic drug.
What is a possible nursing diagnosis for this patient?
A) Constipation
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1. A public health nurse is speaking to parents of first graders. When discussing worm
infection, the nurse will explain that the most common type found in U.S. school-aged
children is what?
A) Pinworms
B) Roundworms
C)
Threadworms
D) Whipworms
Ans A
Feedback
The most common worm infection encountered in U.S. school-aged children is
pinworms. These worms are endogenous to the area and easily spread.
Roundworms, whipworms, and threadworms are not as common.
2. A mother of a 3-year-old child brings her child to the clinic. The child is diagnosed with
pinworms. What drug would be the best choice for the patient?
A) Pyrantel (Pin-Rid)
B) Ivermectin (Stromectol)
C) Mebendazole (Vermox)
D) Albendazole (Albenza)
Ans C
Feedback
Mebendazole is the most commonly used anthelmintic for pinworms because it is
available in a chewable tablet. This is a good choice for the 3-year-old patient. Pyrantel
is also prescribed for pinworms but is not available in a chewable form. Ivermectin is
prescribed for treatment of threadworm disease and albendazole is given to treat active
lesions caused by pork tapeworm and cystic disease of the liver, lungs, and peritoneum
caused by dog tapeworm.
3. A nurse is teaching a young mother about administering pyrantel (Pin-Rid, others) to her
5-year-old child. What will the nurse emphasize about how the agent is given?
A) In 3 doses as a 1-day treatment
Page 1 of 16
, B) In a morning dose and an evening dose for 3 days
C) B.I.D. for 10 days
D) Give only once
Ans D
Feedback
Pyrantel is administered orally as a single dose. Albendazole is prescribed for hydatid
disease and is given twice a day for 8 to 30 days of treatment. Mebendazole is used in
the treatment of diseases caused by pinworms, roundworms, whipworms, and
hookworms and is given in a morning and evening dose for 3 days. Praziquantel is used
to treat schistosomes and is taken in three doses as a 1-day treatment.
Page 2 of 16
, 4. A patient has been diagnosed with roundworms and is to be treated with albendazole. A
priority nursing assessment of this patient would be to determine if the patient is taking
what?
A) Cimetidine (Tagamet)
B) Pioglitazone (Actos)
C) Alprazolam
(Xanax)
D) Loperamide (Imodium)
Ans A
Feedback
The adverse effects of albendazole, which are already severe, may increase if the drug is
combined with dexamethasone, praziquantel, or cimetidine. These combinations should
be avoided if at all possible; if they are necessary, patients should be monitored closely
for the occurrence of adverse effects. Pioglitazone is an oral antidiabetic agent that could
be taken with albendazole. Loperamide is an antidiarrheal drug that may be used for
treatment of diarrhea as a result of the mebendazole and pyrantel. Alprazolam should not
be a concern.
5. What would be a priority nursing action related to the care of a patient taking
albendazole (Albenza)?
A) Check blood pressure, pulse, and respirations
B) Weigh the patient
C) Monitor renal function
D) Encourage small, frequent meals
Ans C
Feedback
It is important that the patients kidney function be monitored because a serious
adverse effect of this drug is renal failure. Even though vital signs, weight, and
nutrition are important and should be monitored, if the patient exhibits any signs of
renal failure the drug should be stopped immediately.
6. The nurse is caring for an adult patient receiving a prescription for an anthelmintic drug.
What is a possible nursing diagnosis for this patient?
A) Constipation
Page 3 of 16
