Chapter 37: Drugs for Viral Infections
Question 1
Type: MCMA
The nurse educates clients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) about the nature of viruses. The
nurse evaluates that learning has occurred when the clients make which responses?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. "Viruses are nonliving particles."
2. "The structure of viruses is complex."
3. "Viruses can infect plants as well as animals."
4. "A virion is a mature virus."
5. "Viruses are intracellular parasites."
Correct Answer: 1,3,4,5
Rationale 1: Viruses are nonliving agents that infect bacteria, plants, and animals.
Rationale 2: The structure of viruses is quite primitive compared to the simplest cell.
Rationale 3: Viruses can infect plants as well as animals.
Rationale 4: A mature infective particle is called a virion.
Rationale 5: Viruses must use intracellular machinery to replicate, so they are called intracellular parasites.
Global Rationale: Viruses are nonliving agents that infect bacteria, plants, and animals. Viruses can infect plants
as well as animals. A mature infective particle is called a virion. Viruses must use intracellular machinery to
replicate, so they are called intracellular parasites. The structure of viruses is quite primitive compared to the
simplest cell.
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Client Need Sub: Physiological Adaptation
QSEN Competencies: III.A.1 Demonstrate knowledge of basic scientific methods and processes.
AACN Essentials Competencies: III.1 Explain the interrelationships among theory, practice, and research.
NLN Competencies: Knowledge and Science: Integration of knowledge from nursing and other disciplines.
,Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Evaluation
Learning Outcome: 37-1 Describe the major characteristics of viruses.
MNL Learning Outcome: 6.3.1 Compare the characteristics and pharmacotherapy of various non-HIV viruses.
Page Number: 591
Question 2
Type: MCSA
The client asks the nurse why there aren't better drugs for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection when
so much money is spent on research. What is the best response by the nurse?
1. "Antiviral drugs are almost impossible to create."
2. "Developing new drugs is difficult because the virus mutates so readily."
3. "Developing new drugs is difficult because people think acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a rare
disease."
4. "Developing new drugs is difficult because we still do not understand the virus."
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Over 20 new antiretroviral drugs have been developed.
Rationale 2: Antiviral pharmacotherapy can be extremely challenging because of the rapid mutation rate of
viruses, which can quickly render drugs ineffective.
Rationale 3: Most people recognize that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is not rare.
Rationale 4: After more than 30 years of research, the virus is mostly understood.
Global Rationale: Antiviral pharmacotherapy can be extremely challenging because of the rapid mutation rate of
viruses, which can quickly render drugs ineffective. Over 20 new antiretroviral drugs have been developed. Most
people recognize that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is not rare. After more than 30 years of
research, the virus is mostly understood.
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Client Need Sub: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
QSEN Competencies: III.A.1 Demonstrate knowledge of basic scientific methods and processes.
AACN Essentials Competencies: III.1 Explain the interrelationships among theory, practice, and research.
NLN Competencies: Knowledge and Science: Integration of knowledge from nursing and other disciplines.
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 37-2 Identify viral infections that benefit from pharmacotherapy.
MNL Learning Outcome: 6.3.3 Examine the characteristics and pharmacotherapy of HIV-AIDS. Page
Number: 592
, Question 3
Type: MCSA
The client receives acyclovir (Zovirax) for treatment of genital herpes. What is a priority assessment by the
nurse?
1. Auditory and visual hallucinations
2. Increased serum creatinine
3. Respiratory distress
4. Thrombocytopenia Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Auditory and visual hallucinations are not adverse effects of acyclovir (Zovirax).
Rationale 2: Acyclovir (Zovirax) is nephrotoxic, so serum creatinine should be monitored.
Rationale 3: Respiratory distress is not an adverse effect of acyclovir (Zovirax).
Rationale 4: Bone marrow suppression is not an adverse effect of acyclovir (Zovirax).
Global Rationale: Acyclovir (Zovirax) is nephrotoxic, so serum creatinine should be monitored. Auditory and
visual hallucinations, not respiratory distress, and bone marrow suppression are not adverse effects of acyclovir
(Zovirax).
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Client Need Sub: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
QSEN Competencies: V.A.4 Delineate general categories of errors and hazards in care.
AACN Essentials Competencies: IX.3 Implement holistic, patient-centered care that reflects an understanding of
human growth and development, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical management and nursing
management across the health-illness continuum, across lifespan, and in all healthcare settings.
NLN Competencies: Knowledge and Science: Integration of knowledge from nursing and other disciplines.
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Assessment
Learning Outcome: 37-6 For each of the drug classes listed in Drugs at a Glance, know representative drug
examples, and explain their mechanisms of action, primary action, and important adverse effects.
MNL Learning Outcome: 6.3.1 Compare the characteristics and pharmacotherapy of various non-HIV viruses.
Page Number: 610
Question 4
Type: MCSA
The client receives acyclovir (Zovirax) as treatment for herpes simplex type 1 virus (genital herpes). What is the
best expected outcome for this client?
1. The client will prevent a reoccurrence of infection in the affected area.
Question 1
Type: MCMA
The nurse educates clients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) about the nature of viruses. The
nurse evaluates that learning has occurred when the clients make which responses?
Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. "Viruses are nonliving particles."
2. "The structure of viruses is complex."
3. "Viruses can infect plants as well as animals."
4. "A virion is a mature virus."
5. "Viruses are intracellular parasites."
Correct Answer: 1,3,4,5
Rationale 1: Viruses are nonliving agents that infect bacteria, plants, and animals.
Rationale 2: The structure of viruses is quite primitive compared to the simplest cell.
Rationale 3: Viruses can infect plants as well as animals.
Rationale 4: A mature infective particle is called a virion.
Rationale 5: Viruses must use intracellular machinery to replicate, so they are called intracellular parasites.
Global Rationale: Viruses are nonliving agents that infect bacteria, plants, and animals. Viruses can infect plants
as well as animals. A mature infective particle is called a virion. Viruses must use intracellular machinery to
replicate, so they are called intracellular parasites. The structure of viruses is quite primitive compared to the
simplest cell.
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Client Need Sub: Physiological Adaptation
QSEN Competencies: III.A.1 Demonstrate knowledge of basic scientific methods and processes.
AACN Essentials Competencies: III.1 Explain the interrelationships among theory, practice, and research.
NLN Competencies: Knowledge and Science: Integration of knowledge from nursing and other disciplines.
,Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Evaluation
Learning Outcome: 37-1 Describe the major characteristics of viruses.
MNL Learning Outcome: 6.3.1 Compare the characteristics and pharmacotherapy of various non-HIV viruses.
Page Number: 591
Question 2
Type: MCSA
The client asks the nurse why there aren't better drugs for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection when
so much money is spent on research. What is the best response by the nurse?
1. "Antiviral drugs are almost impossible to create."
2. "Developing new drugs is difficult because the virus mutates so readily."
3. "Developing new drugs is difficult because people think acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a rare
disease."
4. "Developing new drugs is difficult because we still do not understand the virus."
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Over 20 new antiretroviral drugs have been developed.
Rationale 2: Antiviral pharmacotherapy can be extremely challenging because of the rapid mutation rate of
viruses, which can quickly render drugs ineffective.
Rationale 3: Most people recognize that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is not rare.
Rationale 4: After more than 30 years of research, the virus is mostly understood.
Global Rationale: Antiviral pharmacotherapy can be extremely challenging because of the rapid mutation rate of
viruses, which can quickly render drugs ineffective. Over 20 new antiretroviral drugs have been developed. Most
people recognize that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is not rare. After more than 30 years of
research, the virus is mostly understood.
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Client Need Sub: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
QSEN Competencies: III.A.1 Demonstrate knowledge of basic scientific methods and processes.
AACN Essentials Competencies: III.1 Explain the interrelationships among theory, practice, and research.
NLN Competencies: Knowledge and Science: Integration of knowledge from nursing and other disciplines.
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 37-2 Identify viral infections that benefit from pharmacotherapy.
MNL Learning Outcome: 6.3.3 Examine the characteristics and pharmacotherapy of HIV-AIDS. Page
Number: 592
, Question 3
Type: MCSA
The client receives acyclovir (Zovirax) for treatment of genital herpes. What is a priority assessment by the
nurse?
1. Auditory and visual hallucinations
2. Increased serum creatinine
3. Respiratory distress
4. Thrombocytopenia Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Auditory and visual hallucinations are not adverse effects of acyclovir (Zovirax).
Rationale 2: Acyclovir (Zovirax) is nephrotoxic, so serum creatinine should be monitored.
Rationale 3: Respiratory distress is not an adverse effect of acyclovir (Zovirax).
Rationale 4: Bone marrow suppression is not an adverse effect of acyclovir (Zovirax).
Global Rationale: Acyclovir (Zovirax) is nephrotoxic, so serum creatinine should be monitored. Auditory and
visual hallucinations, not respiratory distress, and bone marrow suppression are not adverse effects of acyclovir
(Zovirax).
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Client Need Sub: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
QSEN Competencies: V.A.4 Delineate general categories of errors and hazards in care.
AACN Essentials Competencies: IX.3 Implement holistic, patient-centered care that reflects an understanding of
human growth and development, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical management and nursing
management across the health-illness continuum, across lifespan, and in all healthcare settings.
NLN Competencies: Knowledge and Science: Integration of knowledge from nursing and other disciplines.
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Assessment
Learning Outcome: 37-6 For each of the drug classes listed in Drugs at a Glance, know representative drug
examples, and explain their mechanisms of action, primary action, and important adverse effects.
MNL Learning Outcome: 6.3.1 Compare the characteristics and pharmacotherapy of various non-HIV viruses.
Page Number: 610
Question 4
Type: MCSA
The client receives acyclovir (Zovirax) as treatment for herpes simplex type 1 virus (genital herpes). What is the
best expected outcome for this client?
1. The client will prevent a reoccurrence of infection in the affected area.
