the ultimate psych tech 084 study
guide
#1 What is the best description of an antitussive medication? - Answer-Cough suppressant
#2a How do centrally acting codeine antitussives work? - Answer-Depresses the center of medulla
#2b How does dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM/codeine) work? - Answer-Suppresses cough reflex
center in medulla, DOES NOT HAVE PAIN RELIEF
#3 Which drugs are expectorants? - Answer-Guaifenesin (robitussin)
#4 For what reason is guaifenesin Robitussin given? - Answer-Cough, secretion, mucus thinning
#5 What may be expected to occur when an expectorant such as guaifenesin Hytuss is given to a
patient? - Answer-Expectorants increase/liquify the production of respiratory secretions in lungs,
lowering it's viscosity which will result in increase of sputum (mucous)
Adverse reactions will include nausea/vomiting, dizziness, headache, rash, dyspnea (labored breathing)
#6 For what conditions are antitussives medications prescribed? - Answer-They relieve coughs caused by
Upper respiratory disorders
#7 Antitussive are given with caution to patients with which conditions? - Answer-Pregnant women and
clients taking MAOI's (depression meds)
,#8 What are some adverse reactions that may occur when a patient is taking an antitussive with
codeine? - Answer-Constipation, euphoria, headache, dizziness
#9 What actions are to take when caring for a patient with a productive cough (liquids are forming)? -
Answer-Patient teachings on coughing (deep breathing, turn & cough), sputum test
#10 In what way does the expectorant medicine taken to help raise sputum work? - Answer-Promoting
mucus formation and coughing
#11 For what reasons should a patient taking a non-prescription cough medication contact the PCHP? -
Answer-Make sure acetaminophen is not present in over the counter drugs
#12 What dangerous condition may occur that is associated with a depression of the cough reflex? -
Answer-Aspiration Pneumonia
#13 Instructions to give to a patient prescribed an antitussive for use at home? - Answer-Antitussives
relieves coughing by depressing the cough center in the medulla
side effects include chills, ever, angina, sputum production
do not crush/chew tablets
Reposition slowly and increase fluids because risk for fall increases
#14 What may be expected to occur when the mucolytic acetylcysteine Mucomyst is given to a patient
byu nebulization? - Answer-Coughing and liquifying of secretions
#15 Which drug would be prescribed for treating acetaminophen overdosage? - Answer-Mucomyst
#16a What effect does an antihistamine have on histamine? - Answer-Blocks histamine receptors
,#16b Where is histamine found in the body? - Answer-Heart, lungs, skin
#17 What are some common adverse effects of antihistamines? - Answer-Urinary retention, drowsiness,
dizziness, hypotension, dry mouth/nose/throat/eyes, thickening of bronchial secretions
#18 By what method are antihistamines generally administered? - Answer-Tablets/capsules/pills &
topical sprays
#19 Which antihistamine would be ordered for a mild allergic reaction? - Answer-Diphenhydramine
(Benadryl)
#20 Why are antihistamines not routinely given to a patient with lower respiratory disorders/CNS
depression? - Answer-Dilates arterioles in the lungs and causes hypotension
#21 What should a patient be monitored for when he receives an antihistamine and is already taking a
central nervous system depressant medication such as lorazepam (Ativan)? - Answer-Increases Central
Nervous System depression, monitor breathing, level of consciousness/sedation
#22 When and how should loratadine (Claritin) be taken? - Answer-Once a day with water, use
sunscreen to protect skin and from photosensitivity
#23 A patient taking a MAOI who also takes pseudoephedrine is at increased risk for what? - Answer-
Hypertensive crisis (INCREASE IN BLOOD PRESSURE)
#24 What is most likely to occur in older adults taking antihistamines? - Answer-Difficulty
voiding/constipation, dry mouth/throat/eyes, bronchial secretions are thick, and increase fall risk due to
dizziness
, #25 For which conditions would a patient require a decongestant - Answer-Nasal passages swollen so
much its closed, caused by common cold, hay fever, sinusitis, reparatory allergies, and sinuses full of
mucous (CONGESTION)
#26 What occurs at the local level as a result of taking a decongestant? - Answer-Procedures localized
vasoconstriction of the small blood vessels of the nasal membranes
#27 What should the nurse do when a patient complains of dry mouth? - Answer-Offer hard candy or
sips of water
#28 What may happen with overuse of topical nasal decongestants like Neo-Synephrine? - Answer-
Tolerance grows, nasal burning/stinging/dryness from over-application
#29 What would be some indications that a decongestant has achieved a therapeutic effect? - Answer-
Clear flowing airways in lungs
#30 What instructions to give to a patient who is prescribed a nasal decongestant? - Answer-Do not take
more than 1 dose
#31 Describe what occurs when a patient experiences a bronchospasm? - Answer-Bronchioles constricts
causing restriction of airflow
#32 What are some adverse reactions that may be expected with the administration of
sympathomimetic bronchodilators such as ephedrine sulfate? - Answer-Restlessness , anxiety, bp
increase, arrhythmias
#33 Signs and symptoms of acute bronchospasm? - Answer-Muscles of the lungs are contracted causing
blockage, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath
guide
#1 What is the best description of an antitussive medication? - Answer-Cough suppressant
#2a How do centrally acting codeine antitussives work? - Answer-Depresses the center of medulla
#2b How does dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM/codeine) work? - Answer-Suppresses cough reflex
center in medulla, DOES NOT HAVE PAIN RELIEF
#3 Which drugs are expectorants? - Answer-Guaifenesin (robitussin)
#4 For what reason is guaifenesin Robitussin given? - Answer-Cough, secretion, mucus thinning
#5 What may be expected to occur when an expectorant such as guaifenesin Hytuss is given to a
patient? - Answer-Expectorants increase/liquify the production of respiratory secretions in lungs,
lowering it's viscosity which will result in increase of sputum (mucous)
Adverse reactions will include nausea/vomiting, dizziness, headache, rash, dyspnea (labored breathing)
#6 For what conditions are antitussives medications prescribed? - Answer-They relieve coughs caused by
Upper respiratory disorders
#7 Antitussive are given with caution to patients with which conditions? - Answer-Pregnant women and
clients taking MAOI's (depression meds)
,#8 What are some adverse reactions that may occur when a patient is taking an antitussive with
codeine? - Answer-Constipation, euphoria, headache, dizziness
#9 What actions are to take when caring for a patient with a productive cough (liquids are forming)? -
Answer-Patient teachings on coughing (deep breathing, turn & cough), sputum test
#10 In what way does the expectorant medicine taken to help raise sputum work? - Answer-Promoting
mucus formation and coughing
#11 For what reasons should a patient taking a non-prescription cough medication contact the PCHP? -
Answer-Make sure acetaminophen is not present in over the counter drugs
#12 What dangerous condition may occur that is associated with a depression of the cough reflex? -
Answer-Aspiration Pneumonia
#13 Instructions to give to a patient prescribed an antitussive for use at home? - Answer-Antitussives
relieves coughing by depressing the cough center in the medulla
side effects include chills, ever, angina, sputum production
do not crush/chew tablets
Reposition slowly and increase fluids because risk for fall increases
#14 What may be expected to occur when the mucolytic acetylcysteine Mucomyst is given to a patient
byu nebulization? - Answer-Coughing and liquifying of secretions
#15 Which drug would be prescribed for treating acetaminophen overdosage? - Answer-Mucomyst
#16a What effect does an antihistamine have on histamine? - Answer-Blocks histamine receptors
,#16b Where is histamine found in the body? - Answer-Heart, lungs, skin
#17 What are some common adverse effects of antihistamines? - Answer-Urinary retention, drowsiness,
dizziness, hypotension, dry mouth/nose/throat/eyes, thickening of bronchial secretions
#18 By what method are antihistamines generally administered? - Answer-Tablets/capsules/pills &
topical sprays
#19 Which antihistamine would be ordered for a mild allergic reaction? - Answer-Diphenhydramine
(Benadryl)
#20 Why are antihistamines not routinely given to a patient with lower respiratory disorders/CNS
depression? - Answer-Dilates arterioles in the lungs and causes hypotension
#21 What should a patient be monitored for when he receives an antihistamine and is already taking a
central nervous system depressant medication such as lorazepam (Ativan)? - Answer-Increases Central
Nervous System depression, monitor breathing, level of consciousness/sedation
#22 When and how should loratadine (Claritin) be taken? - Answer-Once a day with water, use
sunscreen to protect skin and from photosensitivity
#23 A patient taking a MAOI who also takes pseudoephedrine is at increased risk for what? - Answer-
Hypertensive crisis (INCREASE IN BLOOD PRESSURE)
#24 What is most likely to occur in older adults taking antihistamines? - Answer-Difficulty
voiding/constipation, dry mouth/throat/eyes, bronchial secretions are thick, and increase fall risk due to
dizziness
, #25 For which conditions would a patient require a decongestant - Answer-Nasal passages swollen so
much its closed, caused by common cold, hay fever, sinusitis, reparatory allergies, and sinuses full of
mucous (CONGESTION)
#26 What occurs at the local level as a result of taking a decongestant? - Answer-Procedures localized
vasoconstriction of the small blood vessels of the nasal membranes
#27 What should the nurse do when a patient complains of dry mouth? - Answer-Offer hard candy or
sips of water
#28 What may happen with overuse of topical nasal decongestants like Neo-Synephrine? - Answer-
Tolerance grows, nasal burning/stinging/dryness from over-application
#29 What would be some indications that a decongestant has achieved a therapeutic effect? - Answer-
Clear flowing airways in lungs
#30 What instructions to give to a patient who is prescribed a nasal decongestant? - Answer-Do not take
more than 1 dose
#31 Describe what occurs when a patient experiences a bronchospasm? - Answer-Bronchioles constricts
causing restriction of airflow
#32 What are some adverse reactions that may be expected with the administration of
sympathomimetic bronchodilators such as ephedrine sulfate? - Answer-Restlessness , anxiety, bp
increase, arrhythmias
#33 Signs and symptoms of acute bronchospasm? - Answer-Muscles of the lungs are contracted causing
blockage, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath
