Chapter 45: Gastrointestinal Tract
Disorders McCuistion: Pharmacology: A
Patient-Centered Nursing Process
Approach, 11th Edition
A patient who experiences motion sickness when flying asks the nurse the best time to take
over-the-counter antiemetic medications to prevent motion sickness for a 0900 flight. The
nurse will instruct the patient to take the medication at which time?
a. As needed, at the first sign of nausea
b. At 0700, before leaving for the airport
c. At 0830, just prior to boarding the plane
d. When seated, just prior to takeoff
ANS: C
Antiemetics have a general onset of action of 30 minutes. The patient should be instructed to
take the medication a half hour prior to takeoff. These products are ideally used prior to the
onset of motion sickness, not used as needed.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has unexplained, recurrent vomiting and who is unable
to keep anything down. Until the cause of the vomiting is determined, the nurse will
anticipate administering which medications?
a. Antibiotics and antiemetics
b. Intravenous fluids and electrolytes
c. Nonprescription antiemetics
d. Prescription antiemetics
ANS: B
Antiemetics can mask the underlying cause of vomiting and should not be used until the
cause is determined unless vomiting is so severe that dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
occur. Nonpharmacologic measures, such as fluid and electrolyte replacement, should be
used. Antibiotics are only used if an infectious cause is determined.
The parent of an 18-month-old toddler calls the clinic to report that the child has vomited 5
times that day. The nurse determines that the child has had three wet diapers in the past 6
hours. What will the nurse recommend for this child?
a. Administering an OTC antiemetic medication such as diphenhydramine
b. Giving frequent, small amounts of Pedialyte
, c. Keeping the child NPO until vomiting subsides
d. Taking the child to the emergency department for IV fluids
ANS: B
The child is not dehydrated as evidenced by adequate wet diapers, so nonpharmacologic
measures, such as oral fluids, are recommended. OTC antiemetics are not recommended
unless dehydration occurs. Intravenous fluids are given when dehydration is present.
The nurse is teaching a patient who is about to take a long car trip about using
dimenhydrinate to prevent motion sickness. What information is important to include when
teaching this patient?
a. "Do not drive while taking this medication."
b. "Dry mouth is a sign of toxicity with this medication."
c. "Take the medication 1 to 2 hours prior to beginning the trip."
d. "Take 100 mg up to 6 times daily for best effect."
ANS: A
Drowsiness is a common side effect of dimenhydrinate, so patients should be cautioned
against driving while taking this drug. Dry mouth is a common side effect and not a sign of
toxicity. The drug should be taken 30 minutes prior to travel. The maximum recommended
dose is 400 mg per day.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has postoperative nausea and vomiting. The surgeon
has ordered promethazine. Which aspect of this patient's health history would be of
concern?
a. Asthma
b. Diabetes
c. GERD
d. Glaucoma
ANS: D
Promethazine is contraindicated in patients with glaucoma since it is an anticholinergic
medication. It should be used with caution in patients with asthma. The other two conditions
are
not concerning with this medication.
The nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about the use of antipsychotic drugs for
antiemetic purposes. The nurse will explain that, when given as antiemetics, these drugs are
given
a. in smaller doses.
b. less frequently.
c. with anticholinergics.
Disorders McCuistion: Pharmacology: A
Patient-Centered Nursing Process
Approach, 11th Edition
A patient who experiences motion sickness when flying asks the nurse the best time to take
over-the-counter antiemetic medications to prevent motion sickness for a 0900 flight. The
nurse will instruct the patient to take the medication at which time?
a. As needed, at the first sign of nausea
b. At 0700, before leaving for the airport
c. At 0830, just prior to boarding the plane
d. When seated, just prior to takeoff
ANS: C
Antiemetics have a general onset of action of 30 minutes. The patient should be instructed to
take the medication a half hour prior to takeoff. These products are ideally used prior to the
onset of motion sickness, not used as needed.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has unexplained, recurrent vomiting and who is unable
to keep anything down. Until the cause of the vomiting is determined, the nurse will
anticipate administering which medications?
a. Antibiotics and antiemetics
b. Intravenous fluids and electrolytes
c. Nonprescription antiemetics
d. Prescription antiemetics
ANS: B
Antiemetics can mask the underlying cause of vomiting and should not be used until the
cause is determined unless vomiting is so severe that dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
occur. Nonpharmacologic measures, such as fluid and electrolyte replacement, should be
used. Antibiotics are only used if an infectious cause is determined.
The parent of an 18-month-old toddler calls the clinic to report that the child has vomited 5
times that day. The nurse determines that the child has had three wet diapers in the past 6
hours. What will the nurse recommend for this child?
a. Administering an OTC antiemetic medication such as diphenhydramine
b. Giving frequent, small amounts of Pedialyte
, c. Keeping the child NPO until vomiting subsides
d. Taking the child to the emergency department for IV fluids
ANS: B
The child is not dehydrated as evidenced by adequate wet diapers, so nonpharmacologic
measures, such as oral fluids, are recommended. OTC antiemetics are not recommended
unless dehydration occurs. Intravenous fluids are given when dehydration is present.
The nurse is teaching a patient who is about to take a long car trip about using
dimenhydrinate to prevent motion sickness. What information is important to include when
teaching this patient?
a. "Do not drive while taking this medication."
b. "Dry mouth is a sign of toxicity with this medication."
c. "Take the medication 1 to 2 hours prior to beginning the trip."
d. "Take 100 mg up to 6 times daily for best effect."
ANS: A
Drowsiness is a common side effect of dimenhydrinate, so patients should be cautioned
against driving while taking this drug. Dry mouth is a common side effect and not a sign of
toxicity. The drug should be taken 30 minutes prior to travel. The maximum recommended
dose is 400 mg per day.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has postoperative nausea and vomiting. The surgeon
has ordered promethazine. Which aspect of this patient's health history would be of
concern?
a. Asthma
b. Diabetes
c. GERD
d. Glaucoma
ANS: D
Promethazine is contraindicated in patients with glaucoma since it is an anticholinergic
medication. It should be used with caution in patients with asthma. The other two conditions
are
not concerning with this medication.
The nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about the use of antipsychotic drugs for
antiemetic purposes. The nurse will explain that, when given as antiemetics, these drugs are
given
a. in smaller doses.
b. less frequently.
c. with anticholinergics.
