NUR 1141 Midterm Proficiency Challenge
Exam complete solutions
What body system will the nurse assess for known common adverse effects of traditional
antihistamines?
a. respiratory
b. cardiovascular
c. CNS
d. GI - ANSWER>>c. CNS
The most common adverse effect of antihistamines is drowsiness, but the sedative effects vary among
the antihistamine drug class
What advantage does loratadine (Claritin) have compared with traditional antihistamines such as
diphenhydramine (Benadryl)?
a. less sedative effect
b. increase in bronchodilation
c. minimal GI upset
d. decreased risk of cardiac dysrhythmias - ANSWER>>a. less sedative effect
Loratadine is a nonsedating antihistamine and it does not readily distribute into the CNS, which
diminishes the sedative effects assoc. w/ traditional antihistamines
A pt complains of worsening nasal congestion despite the use of oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal spray every
2-4 hrs for the past 5 days. The nurse's response is based on the knowledge that:
a. oxymetazoline is not an effective nasal decongestant
b. sustained use of nasal decongestants over several days may result in rebound congestion
c. oxymetazoline should be administered in an hourly reginmen for severe congestion
d. the patient is probably displaying an idiosyncratic reaction to oxymetazoline - ANSWER>>b. sustained
use of nasal decongestants over several days may result in rebound congestion
Oxymetazoline is an effective nasal decongestant, but overuse results in worsening or "rebound"
congestion. It should not be used more than every 4 hrs.
Which statement by the client demonstrates an understanding about beclomethasone diproprionate
(Beconase) mechanism of action?
a. I only need to take this medication when my symptoms get bad
b. I will need to taper off the medication to prevent acute adrenal crisis
c. This medication will help prevent the inflammatory response of my allergies
d. I will monitor my blood sugar b/c I may develop drug-induced diabetes - ANSWER>>c. This medication
will help prevent the inflammatory response of my allergies
, Beclamethason diproprionate is a steroid spray administered nasally. It is used to prevent and treat
allergy symptoms. Its effect is localized, and therefore the client does not have systemic adverse effects
with the recommended does. There is no need to taper off gradually as with oral corticosteroids
The nurse is discussing use of antitussive medications with a client. What common adverse effect does
the nurse include in the client teaching?
a. tremors and palpitations
b. drowsiness and dizziness
c. diarrhea and abdominal cramping
d. flushing and decreased heart rate - ANSWER>>b. drowsiness and dizziness
Antitussive medications suppress cough through its action on the CNS, thus causing drowsiness and
dizziness
Which instruction should the nurse include when teaching a client who is prescribed an expectorant?
a. take the medication once a day at bedtime
b. restrict fluids to decrease mucus production
c. increase fluid intake to decrease viscosity of secretions
d. take the drug with oral codeine when cough worsens - ANSWER>>c. increase fluid intake to decrease
viscosity of secretions
Expectorant drugs are used to decrease viscosity of secretions and allow them to be more easily
expectorated. Increasing fluid intake helps this action
The nurse would question a prescription for pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) in a client with a history of
which condition?
a. Pneumonia
b. Osteoporosis
c. Hypertension
d. Peptic ulcer disease - ANSWER>>c. HTN
Adrenergic drugs are contraindicated in clients w/ HTN, narrow-angle glaucoma, diabetes, uncontrolled
CV disease, hyperthyroidism, prostatitis, or known hypersensitivity to such drugs
When providing general education on use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications for allergies, which
instruction should the nurse to include?
a. Discontinue use 4 days before allergy testing.
b. It may cause dry mouth and difficulty urinating.
c. The medication treats the signs and symptoms but is not a cure.
d. Do not use in children younger than 2 years of age unless prescribed. - ANSWER>>d. Do not use in
children younger than 2 yrs of age unless prescribed.
Exam complete solutions
What body system will the nurse assess for known common adverse effects of traditional
antihistamines?
a. respiratory
b. cardiovascular
c. CNS
d. GI - ANSWER>>c. CNS
The most common adverse effect of antihistamines is drowsiness, but the sedative effects vary among
the antihistamine drug class
What advantage does loratadine (Claritin) have compared with traditional antihistamines such as
diphenhydramine (Benadryl)?
a. less sedative effect
b. increase in bronchodilation
c. minimal GI upset
d. decreased risk of cardiac dysrhythmias - ANSWER>>a. less sedative effect
Loratadine is a nonsedating antihistamine and it does not readily distribute into the CNS, which
diminishes the sedative effects assoc. w/ traditional antihistamines
A pt complains of worsening nasal congestion despite the use of oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal spray every
2-4 hrs for the past 5 days. The nurse's response is based on the knowledge that:
a. oxymetazoline is not an effective nasal decongestant
b. sustained use of nasal decongestants over several days may result in rebound congestion
c. oxymetazoline should be administered in an hourly reginmen for severe congestion
d. the patient is probably displaying an idiosyncratic reaction to oxymetazoline - ANSWER>>b. sustained
use of nasal decongestants over several days may result in rebound congestion
Oxymetazoline is an effective nasal decongestant, but overuse results in worsening or "rebound"
congestion. It should not be used more than every 4 hrs.
Which statement by the client demonstrates an understanding about beclomethasone diproprionate
(Beconase) mechanism of action?
a. I only need to take this medication when my symptoms get bad
b. I will need to taper off the medication to prevent acute adrenal crisis
c. This medication will help prevent the inflammatory response of my allergies
d. I will monitor my blood sugar b/c I may develop drug-induced diabetes - ANSWER>>c. This medication
will help prevent the inflammatory response of my allergies
, Beclamethason diproprionate is a steroid spray administered nasally. It is used to prevent and treat
allergy symptoms. Its effect is localized, and therefore the client does not have systemic adverse effects
with the recommended does. There is no need to taper off gradually as with oral corticosteroids
The nurse is discussing use of antitussive medications with a client. What common adverse effect does
the nurse include in the client teaching?
a. tremors and palpitations
b. drowsiness and dizziness
c. diarrhea and abdominal cramping
d. flushing and decreased heart rate - ANSWER>>b. drowsiness and dizziness
Antitussive medications suppress cough through its action on the CNS, thus causing drowsiness and
dizziness
Which instruction should the nurse include when teaching a client who is prescribed an expectorant?
a. take the medication once a day at bedtime
b. restrict fluids to decrease mucus production
c. increase fluid intake to decrease viscosity of secretions
d. take the drug with oral codeine when cough worsens - ANSWER>>c. increase fluid intake to decrease
viscosity of secretions
Expectorant drugs are used to decrease viscosity of secretions and allow them to be more easily
expectorated. Increasing fluid intake helps this action
The nurse would question a prescription for pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) in a client with a history of
which condition?
a. Pneumonia
b. Osteoporosis
c. Hypertension
d. Peptic ulcer disease - ANSWER>>c. HTN
Adrenergic drugs are contraindicated in clients w/ HTN, narrow-angle glaucoma, diabetes, uncontrolled
CV disease, hyperthyroidism, prostatitis, or known hypersensitivity to such drugs
When providing general education on use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications for allergies, which
instruction should the nurse to include?
a. Discontinue use 4 days before allergy testing.
b. It may cause dry mouth and difficulty urinating.
c. The medication treats the signs and symptoms but is not a cure.
d. Do not use in children younger than 2 years of age unless prescribed. - ANSWER>>d. Do not use in
children younger than 2 yrs of age unless prescribed.
