SHARPATH EXAM 3 | FROM QUESTION TO PERFECTION|
STUDY WITH CONFIDENCE!
Course Code:
Course Title:
Programme:
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Duration: 2 Hours
Total Marks: 70%
Candidate Instructions:
1) Write your Registration Number on every answer booklet used.
2) Answer ALL questions in Section A and ANY TWO (2) questions in Section B.
3) Read each question carefully before answering.
4) Begin each question on a new page.
5) The marks for each question are indicated in brackets.
6) This paper consists of several printed pages, including this page.
7) Ensure your copy is complete before the examination begins.
8) Unauthorized materials and communication with other candidates are not permitted.
Turn Over.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
,A patient tells the nurse that he has started to take an over-the-counter antihistamine,
diphenhydramine. In the teaching about side effects, what is most important for the nurse to tell
the patient?
a.) To avoid insomnia, do not take this drug at bedtime.
b.) Avoid driving a motor vehicle until stabilized on the drug.
c.) Nightmares and nervousness are more likely in an adult
d.) Medication may cause excessive secretions Answer: b.) Avoid driving a motor vehicle until
stabilized on the drug.
A patient reports a sore throat and has been told it is due to beta-hemolytic streptococcal
infection. The nurse anticipates that the patient has which acute condition?
a.) Rhinitis
b.) Sinusitis
c.) Pharyngitis
d.) Rhinorrhea Answer: c.) Pharyngitis
A patient is prescribed a decongestant nasal spray that contains oxymetazoline. What will the
nurse teach the patient?
a.) Take this drug at bedtime becasue it may cause drowsiness
b.) Directly spray the medication away from the nasal septum and gently sniff
c.) This drug may be used in maintenance treatment for asthma
d.) Limit use of the drug to 3 days to prevent rebound nasal congestion Answer: d.) Limit use of
the drug to 3 days to prevent rebound nasal congestion
A patient has been prescribed guaifenesin. The nurse understands taht the purpose of the drug is
to accomplish what?
a.) Treat allergic rhinitis and prevent motion sickness
b.) Loosen bronchial secretions so coughing can eliminate them
c.) Compete with histamine for receptor sites, thus preventing a histamine response
d.) Stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors, thus producing vascular constriction of capillaries in
nasal mucosa Answer: b.) Loosen bronchial secretions so coughing can eliminate them
Beclomethasone has been prescribed for a patient with allergic rhinitis. What should the nurse
teach the patient regarding this medication?
a.) This medication may be used for an acute attack
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
,b.) An oral form is available if the patient prefers to use it
c.) Avoid large amounts of caffeine intake because an increased heart rate may occur
d.) With continuous use, dryness of the nasal mucosa/lining may occur Answer: d.) With
continuous use, dryness of the nasal mucosa/lining may occur
The nurse is teaching a patient about diphenhydramine. Which instructions should the nurse
include in the patient's teaching plan? (SATA)
a.) Take medication on an empty stomach to facilitate absorption
b.) Avoid alcohol and other central nervous system depressants
c.) Notify a HCP if confusion or hypotension occurs
d.) Use sugarless candy, gum, or ice chips for temporary relief of dry mouth
e.) Avoid handling dangerous equipment or performing dangerous activities until stabilized on
the medication Answer: b, c, d, e.)
What are the side effects of 1st- and 2nd-generation antihistamines? Answer: 1st gen:
SEDATION
- drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue
- dry mouth
- decrease secretions
- may also see: blurred vision, wheezing
2nd gen: NON-SEDATING
- little to no sedative effective
- fewer anticholinergic symptoms
What are some of the names of the 1st- and 2nd-generation antihistamine drugs? Answer: 1st
gen:
diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
2nd gen:
loratadine (Claritin)
fexofenadine (Allegra)
cetirizine (Zyrtec)
What are the therapeutic uses for antihistamines? Answer: 1st gen:
insomnia
motion sickness
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
3
, common cold & rhinitis (allergies)
allergic conjunctivitis
urticaria (hives)
What is the mode of action for antihistamines? Answer: block the normal function of H1 and/or
H2 receptors. But for respiratory uses, only H1 receptors.
What are the nursing considerations for antihistamines? Answer: - it's not potent enough to stop
anaphylaxis!
- anticholinergic effects: caution with glaucoma patients
- sedating effects:
do not operate heavy machinery
do not take with other sedatives
What are the suffixes associated with antihistamines? Answer: -amine
-adine
What's the suffix associated with beta-2 agonists? Answer: -terol
What's the mode of action for beta-2 agonists? Answer: stimulates beta-2 receptors in the lungs,
which relaxes the bronchial smooth muscles and causes bronchodilation.
it also:
decreases GI tone and motility
relaxation of bladder walls (urinary retention)
relaxes smooth muscles of uterus
What are the names of the drugs in the beta-2 agonist class? Answer: albuterol (ProAir) (Short-
acting bronchdilator)**
levalbuterol (Xopenex)
metaproterenol (Alupent)
salmeterol (Servant) (Long-Acting bronchodilator)**
terbutaline sulfate (Bronclyn)
** know these for sure
What are the therapeutic uses for beta-2 agonists? Answer: -asthma
-acute bronchospasms
-prophylaxis of bronchospasms
-COPD: everything but albuterol
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
4
STUDY WITH CONFIDENCE!
Course Code:
Course Title:
Programme:
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Duration: 2 Hours
Total Marks: 70%
Candidate Instructions:
1) Write your Registration Number on every answer booklet used.
2) Answer ALL questions in Section A and ANY TWO (2) questions in Section B.
3) Read each question carefully before answering.
4) Begin each question on a new page.
5) The marks for each question are indicated in brackets.
6) This paper consists of several printed pages, including this page.
7) Ensure your copy is complete before the examination begins.
8) Unauthorized materials and communication with other candidates are not permitted.
Turn Over.
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
1
,A patient tells the nurse that he has started to take an over-the-counter antihistamine,
diphenhydramine. In the teaching about side effects, what is most important for the nurse to tell
the patient?
a.) To avoid insomnia, do not take this drug at bedtime.
b.) Avoid driving a motor vehicle until stabilized on the drug.
c.) Nightmares and nervousness are more likely in an adult
d.) Medication may cause excessive secretions Answer: b.) Avoid driving a motor vehicle until
stabilized on the drug.
A patient reports a sore throat and has been told it is due to beta-hemolytic streptococcal
infection. The nurse anticipates that the patient has which acute condition?
a.) Rhinitis
b.) Sinusitis
c.) Pharyngitis
d.) Rhinorrhea Answer: c.) Pharyngitis
A patient is prescribed a decongestant nasal spray that contains oxymetazoline. What will the
nurse teach the patient?
a.) Take this drug at bedtime becasue it may cause drowsiness
b.) Directly spray the medication away from the nasal septum and gently sniff
c.) This drug may be used in maintenance treatment for asthma
d.) Limit use of the drug to 3 days to prevent rebound nasal congestion Answer: d.) Limit use of
the drug to 3 days to prevent rebound nasal congestion
A patient has been prescribed guaifenesin. The nurse understands taht the purpose of the drug is
to accomplish what?
a.) Treat allergic rhinitis and prevent motion sickness
b.) Loosen bronchial secretions so coughing can eliminate them
c.) Compete with histamine for receptor sites, thus preventing a histamine response
d.) Stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors, thus producing vascular constriction of capillaries in
nasal mucosa Answer: b.) Loosen bronchial secretions so coughing can eliminate them
Beclomethasone has been prescribed for a patient with allergic rhinitis. What should the nurse
teach the patient regarding this medication?
a.) This medication may be used for an acute attack
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
2
,b.) An oral form is available if the patient prefers to use it
c.) Avoid large amounts of caffeine intake because an increased heart rate may occur
d.) With continuous use, dryness of the nasal mucosa/lining may occur Answer: d.) With
continuous use, dryness of the nasal mucosa/lining may occur
The nurse is teaching a patient about diphenhydramine. Which instructions should the nurse
include in the patient's teaching plan? (SATA)
a.) Take medication on an empty stomach to facilitate absorption
b.) Avoid alcohol and other central nervous system depressants
c.) Notify a HCP if confusion or hypotension occurs
d.) Use sugarless candy, gum, or ice chips for temporary relief of dry mouth
e.) Avoid handling dangerous equipment or performing dangerous activities until stabilized on
the medication Answer: b, c, d, e.)
What are the side effects of 1st- and 2nd-generation antihistamines? Answer: 1st gen:
SEDATION
- drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue
- dry mouth
- decrease secretions
- may also see: blurred vision, wheezing
2nd gen: NON-SEDATING
- little to no sedative effective
- fewer anticholinergic symptoms
What are some of the names of the 1st- and 2nd-generation antihistamine drugs? Answer: 1st
gen:
diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
2nd gen:
loratadine (Claritin)
fexofenadine (Allegra)
cetirizine (Zyrtec)
What are the therapeutic uses for antihistamines? Answer: 1st gen:
insomnia
motion sickness
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
3
, common cold & rhinitis (allergies)
allergic conjunctivitis
urticaria (hives)
What is the mode of action for antihistamines? Answer: block the normal function of H1 and/or
H2 receptors. But for respiratory uses, only H1 receptors.
What are the nursing considerations for antihistamines? Answer: - it's not potent enough to stop
anaphylaxis!
- anticholinergic effects: caution with glaucoma patients
- sedating effects:
do not operate heavy machinery
do not take with other sedatives
What are the suffixes associated with antihistamines? Answer: -amine
-adine
What's the suffix associated with beta-2 agonists? Answer: -terol
What's the mode of action for beta-2 agonists? Answer: stimulates beta-2 receptors in the lungs,
which relaxes the bronchial smooth muscles and causes bronchodilation.
it also:
decreases GI tone and motility
relaxation of bladder walls (urinary retention)
relaxes smooth muscles of uterus
What are the names of the drugs in the beta-2 agonist class? Answer: albuterol (ProAir) (Short-
acting bronchdilator)**
levalbuterol (Xopenex)
metaproterenol (Alupent)
salmeterol (Servant) (Long-Acting bronchodilator)**
terbutaline sulfate (Bronclyn)
** know these for sure
What are the therapeutic uses for beta-2 agonists? Answer: -asthma
-acute bronchospasms
-prophylaxis of bronchospasms
-COPD: everything but albuterol
APPHIA – Crafted with Care and Precision for Academic Excellence.
4
