Psych Tech 084 Study Guide
Examination With 100% Correct
Detailed Answers 2025-2026 Updated.
#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
,#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)
,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
, #33 Signs and symptoms of acute bronchospasm? - Answer Muscles of the lungs are
contracted causing blockage, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath
#34 Signs and symptoms that indicate the administration of bronchodilator has been effective? -
Answer Respiratory distress is relieved
#35 What is the correct procedure for administering metaproterenol (Alupent) with another
aerosol inhaler? - Answer Use bronchodilator first, corticosteroid second, and wait 3-5
minutes between inhalations
#36 When administering cromolyn (Intal) to prevent exercise-induced asthma, what instructions
to give the patient regarding how to take the drug? - Answer Mild Attacks: 2 puffs, repeat 20
min later if needed
Severe Attacks: 2-6 puffs, repeat 20 min later if needed
#37 What are some of the side effects of aminophylline (bronchodilator, dilates the
bronchioles)? - Answer Adverse reactions from preventing bronchospasm include
nausea/vomiting, restlessness/nervousness, tachycardia/tremors/heart palpitations,
headache/fever, increased respirations, and hyperglycemia
#38 When a sympathomimetic bronchodilator (aminophylline) is administered to older adults,
there is an increased risk of what? - Answer Increase risk for adverse reactions related to
cardiovascular and central nervous systems
#39 What foods should the patient avoid when taking a Xanthine derivative (theophylline)? -
Answer Foods that would increase the side effects of Xanthine: Caffeine (coffee/tea/soda),
chocolate
avoid smoking too
#40 What are some discharge instructions to include for a patient receiving a bronchodilator
(nebulizer to cause dilation of the bronchioles)? - Answer Use every 4 hours as needed for
coughing
Give 1 vial in nebulizer machine or 2 puffs from inhaler
Take 2-4 breaths and seal against mouth
#41 What instructions should be given to a client if G.I. upset occurs after the administration of
Examination With 100% Correct
Detailed Answers 2025-2026 Updated.
#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
,#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)
,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
, #33 Signs and symptoms of acute bronchospasm? - Answer Muscles of the lungs are
contracted causing blockage, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath
#34 Signs and symptoms that indicate the administration of bronchodilator has been effective? -
Answer Respiratory distress is relieved
#35 What is the correct procedure for administering metaproterenol (Alupent) with another
aerosol inhaler? - Answer Use bronchodilator first, corticosteroid second, and wait 3-5
minutes between inhalations
#36 When administering cromolyn (Intal) to prevent exercise-induced asthma, what instructions
to give the patient regarding how to take the drug? - Answer Mild Attacks: 2 puffs, repeat 20
min later if needed
Severe Attacks: 2-6 puffs, repeat 20 min later if needed
#37 What are some of the side effects of aminophylline (bronchodilator, dilates the
bronchioles)? - Answer Adverse reactions from preventing bronchospasm include
nausea/vomiting, restlessness/nervousness, tachycardia/tremors/heart palpitations,
headache/fever, increased respirations, and hyperglycemia
#38 When a sympathomimetic bronchodilator (aminophylline) is administered to older adults,
there is an increased risk of what? - Answer Increase risk for adverse reactions related to
cardiovascular and central nervous systems
#39 What foods should the patient avoid when taking a Xanthine derivative (theophylline)? -
Answer Foods that would increase the side effects of Xanthine: Caffeine (coffee/tea/soda),
chocolate
avoid smoking too
#40 What are some discharge instructions to include for a patient receiving a bronchodilator
(nebulizer to cause dilation of the bronchioles)? - Answer Use every 4 hours as needed for
coughing
Give 1 vial in nebulizer machine or 2 puffs from inhaler
Take 2-4 breaths and seal against mouth
#41 What instructions should be given to a client if G.I. upset occurs after the administration of
