Chapter 37 Antihistamines, Decongestants, Antitussives, and Expectorants
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which instruction is correct for a patient taking an antihistamine?
a. Eat chocolate bars to ease the discomfort of dry mouth.
b. Antihistamines are generally safe to take with over-the-counter (OTC)
medications.
c. Take the medication on an empty stomach to maximize absorption of the drug.
d. Take the medication with food, even though doing so may slightly reduce the absorption of
the drug.
ANS D
Antihistamines should be taken with food to minimize the gastrointestinal upset that can occur, even
though doing so slightly reduces the absorption of the drug. The patient can suck on candy or chew
gum to ease dry mouth discomfort. OTC medications should not be taken with an antihistamine unless
approved by the physician; taking antihistamines with OTC medications may lead to serious drug
interactions.
DIF Cognitive Level Analysis
2. How does the antitussive dextromethorphan (Benylin DM-E®) work to suppress the cough reflex?
a. By causing central nervous system (CNS)
depression b. By anaesthetizing the stretch receptors
c. Through a direct action on the cough centre
d. By decreasing the viscosity of the bronchial secretions
ANS C
Dextromethorphan suppresses the cough reflex through direct action on the cough
centre. DIF Cognitive Level Knowledge
, 3. Which antihistamine is commonly used in the treatment of motion sickness?
a. cyproheptadine
hydrochloride b. Loratadine
(Claritin)
c. Reactine®
d. Codeine phosphate
ANS A
Cyproheptadine hydrochloride is commonly used in the treatment of motion
sickness. DIF Cognitive Level Knowledge
4. During a routine checkup, the patient reports an inability to take the prescribed antihistamine
because of one of its most common adverse effects. The physician prescribes another
antihistamine, loratadine (Claritin®). What adverse effect has probably been bothering this patient?
a.
Diarrhea b.
Urticaria
c. Drowsiness
d. Decreased libido
ANS C
People who take antihistamines chiefly report drowsiness. Loratadine is a unsedating
antihistamine which eliminates many of the adverse effects of the older antihistamines,
particularly drowsiness.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
5. A gardener needs a decongestant because of seasonal allergy problems. Which is a benefit of
orally administered decongestants?
a. Onset is immediate.
b. The effect is more potent.
c. Rebound congestion is almost nonexistent.
d. The adverse effects of restlessness and nervousness are reduced.
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which instruction is correct for a patient taking an antihistamine?
a. Eat chocolate bars to ease the discomfort of dry mouth.
b. Antihistamines are generally safe to take with over-the-counter (OTC)
medications.
c. Take the medication on an empty stomach to maximize absorption of the drug.
d. Take the medication with food, even though doing so may slightly reduce the absorption of
the drug.
ANS D
Antihistamines should be taken with food to minimize the gastrointestinal upset that can occur, even
though doing so slightly reduces the absorption of the drug. The patient can suck on candy or chew
gum to ease dry mouth discomfort. OTC medications should not be taken with an antihistamine unless
approved by the physician; taking antihistamines with OTC medications may lead to serious drug
interactions.
DIF Cognitive Level Analysis
2. How does the antitussive dextromethorphan (Benylin DM-E®) work to suppress the cough reflex?
a. By causing central nervous system (CNS)
depression b. By anaesthetizing the stretch receptors
c. Through a direct action on the cough centre
d. By decreasing the viscosity of the bronchial secretions
ANS C
Dextromethorphan suppresses the cough reflex through direct action on the cough
centre. DIF Cognitive Level Knowledge
, 3. Which antihistamine is commonly used in the treatment of motion sickness?
a. cyproheptadine
hydrochloride b. Loratadine
(Claritin)
c. Reactine®
d. Codeine phosphate
ANS A
Cyproheptadine hydrochloride is commonly used in the treatment of motion
sickness. DIF Cognitive Level Knowledge
4. During a routine checkup, the patient reports an inability to take the prescribed antihistamine
because of one of its most common adverse effects. The physician prescribes another
antihistamine, loratadine (Claritin®). What adverse effect has probably been bothering this patient?
a.
Diarrhea b.
Urticaria
c. Drowsiness
d. Decreased libido
ANS C
People who take antihistamines chiefly report drowsiness. Loratadine is a unsedating
antihistamine which eliminates many of the adverse effects of the older antihistamines,
particularly drowsiness.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
5. A gardener needs a decongestant because of seasonal allergy problems. Which is a benefit of
orally administered decongestants?
a. Onset is immediate.
b. The effect is more potent.
c. Rebound congestion is almost nonexistent.
d. The adverse effects of restlessness and nervousness are reduced.
