NR 293 Exam 2 2026 Questions and
Answers Graded A+
Common cold - Correct answer-Most caused by viral infection: rhinovirus or
influenza
-Virus invades tissues causing upper respiratory infection
Treatment for common cold - Correct answer-Symptomatic only, not curative
"Empiric therapy"
Empiric therapy - Correct answer-Treatment based on experience usually w/o
adequate data to support its use
Antihistamines - Correct answer-Compete with histamine for specific receptor sites
Two histamine receptors: H1 and H2
H1 (histamine 1) - Correct answer-Commonly referred to as antihistamines
Ex: fexofenadine (allegra), Ioratadine (claritin), diphenhydramine (benedryl)
H2 (histamine 2) - Correct answer-Used to reduce gastric acid in peptic ulcer
disease
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,Properties of antihistamines - Correct answer-Antihistaminic
Anticholinergic
Sedative
Antihistamine MOA - Correct answer-Block action of histamine at H1 receptor
sites, preventing adverse consequences of histamine stimulation
-Cannot push histamine off receptor if already bound
-More effective in preventing actions of histamine rather than reversing them
(should be given early)
Adverse consequences of histamine stimulation - Correct answer-Vasodilation
Increased GI and respiratory secretions
Increased capillary permeability
Antihistamine uses - Correct answer-Management of:
-Nasal allergies
-Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
-Allergic reactions
-Motion sickness
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,-Parkinson's disease
-Sleep disorders
Relieve symptoms of common cold, sneezing, runny nose
Adverse effects of antihistamines - Correct answer-Anticholinergic (drying) effects
are most common
-Dry mouth
-Difficulty urinating
-Constipation
-Changes in vision
Also drowsiness: mild to deep sleep
Contraindications of antihistamines - Correct answer-Acute asthma attacks
Lower respiratory diseases (pneumonia)
Traditional antihistamines - Correct answer-Peripherally and centrally acting
More effective than non-sedating drugs
Ex: Diphenhydramine, bronpheniramine, chlropheniramine, dimenhydrinate,
meclizine, proethazine
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, Non-sedating antihistamines - Correct answer-Peripherally acting
-Eliminate unwanted ASE (sedation)
-Work peripherally to block histamine causing fewer CNS adverse effects
-Longer duration of action (increases compliance)
Ex: Fexofenadine (allegra), Ioratadine (claritin), cetirizine (zyrtec)
Antihistamine nursing implications - Correct answer-Assess condition and drug
allergies
Report excessive sedation, confusion, hypotension
Avoid driving, alcohol, CNS depressants
Best tolerated with meals
Frequent mouth care, chew gum, suck on hard candy for dry mouth
Monitor for intended therapeutic effects
Use antihistamine with caution if: - Correct answer-Increased intraocular pressure
Cardiac or renal disease
Hypertension
Asthma
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Answers Graded A+
Common cold - Correct answer-Most caused by viral infection: rhinovirus or
influenza
-Virus invades tissues causing upper respiratory infection
Treatment for common cold - Correct answer-Symptomatic only, not curative
"Empiric therapy"
Empiric therapy - Correct answer-Treatment based on experience usually w/o
adequate data to support its use
Antihistamines - Correct answer-Compete with histamine for specific receptor sites
Two histamine receptors: H1 and H2
H1 (histamine 1) - Correct answer-Commonly referred to as antihistamines
Ex: fexofenadine (allegra), Ioratadine (claritin), diphenhydramine (benedryl)
H2 (histamine 2) - Correct answer-Used to reduce gastric acid in peptic ulcer
disease
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Properties of antihistamines - Correct answer-Antihistaminic
Anticholinergic
Sedative
Antihistamine MOA - Correct answer-Block action of histamine at H1 receptor
sites, preventing adverse consequences of histamine stimulation
-Cannot push histamine off receptor if already bound
-More effective in preventing actions of histamine rather than reversing them
(should be given early)
Adverse consequences of histamine stimulation - Correct answer-Vasodilation
Increased GI and respiratory secretions
Increased capillary permeability
Antihistamine uses - Correct answer-Management of:
-Nasal allergies
-Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
-Allergic reactions
-Motion sickness
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,-Parkinson's disease
-Sleep disorders
Relieve symptoms of common cold, sneezing, runny nose
Adverse effects of antihistamines - Correct answer-Anticholinergic (drying) effects
are most common
-Dry mouth
-Difficulty urinating
-Constipation
-Changes in vision
Also drowsiness: mild to deep sleep
Contraindications of antihistamines - Correct answer-Acute asthma attacks
Lower respiratory diseases (pneumonia)
Traditional antihistamines - Correct answer-Peripherally and centrally acting
More effective than non-sedating drugs
Ex: Diphenhydramine, bronpheniramine, chlropheniramine, dimenhydrinate,
meclizine, proethazine
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Non-sedating antihistamines - Correct answer-Peripherally acting
-Eliminate unwanted ASE (sedation)
-Work peripherally to block histamine causing fewer CNS adverse effects
-Longer duration of action (increases compliance)
Ex: Fexofenadine (allegra), Ioratadine (claritin), cetirizine (zyrtec)
Antihistamine nursing implications - Correct answer-Assess condition and drug
allergies
Report excessive sedation, confusion, hypotension
Avoid driving, alcohol, CNS depressants
Best tolerated with meals
Frequent mouth care, chew gum, suck on hard candy for dry mouth
Monitor for intended therapeutic effects
Use antihistamine with caution if: - Correct answer-Increased intraocular pressure
Cardiac or renal disease
Hypertension
Asthma
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
