C HAPTER 20: C HOLINERGIC D RUGS
Lilley: Pharmacology and the Nursing Process, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is providing teaching regarding drug therapy to the husband of a
woman with Alzheimer’s disease. She was diagnosed 3 months ago, has
mild memory loss, and will be receiving donepezil. What is the drug ’s
expected action?
a. Prevents memory loss in later stages.
b. Reverses the course of Alzheimer ’s disease.
c. Provides sedation to prevent a gitation and restlessness.
d. May help to improve the mood and decrease confusion.
ANS: D
Donepezil is used to treat mild -to-moderate dementia occurring in
Alzheimer’s disease and may improve the symptoms of the disease.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding ( Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y: Pharmacological and
Parenteral Therapies
2. A patient has been taking donepezil for 2 weeks as part of the treatment
for earl y stages of Alzheimer ’s disease. Her daughte r calls the
prescriber’s office and is upset because “Mother has not improved one
bit!” Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
a. “Increase the dosage to twice dail y. ”
b. “It takes time for the cure to take effect. ”
, c. “It may take up to 6 weeks to see an impr ovement.”
d. “Take the medication on an empt y stomach for improved
absorption. ”
ANS: C
Donepezil therapy is not a cure for Alzheimer ’s disease, but it may
help to improve symptoms in the earl y stages. It may take up to 6
weeks to see improvement. The famil y should be taught that the
medication must be taken exactl y as ordered and with meals, and the
medication should not be abruptl y stopped or the dosage increased
without the physician ’s approval because of the possibilit y of serious
complications.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl ying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NC LEX: Psychosocial Integrit y
3. A patient who has been diagnosed with Sjögren ’s syndrome will be given
cevimeline for the treatment of xerostomia. The nurse will monitor for
what therapeutic effect?
a. Reduction of salivation
b. Stimulation of salivation
c. Reduction of gastrointestinal peristalsis
d. Improvement of fine -motor control
ANS: B
Cevimeline is a direct -acting cholinergic drug that is used to stimulate
salivation in patients who have xe rostomia (dry mouth), one of the
manifestations of Sjögren ’s syndrome. The other options are incorrect.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl ying (Application)
Lilley: Pharmacology and the Nursing Process, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is providing teaching regarding drug therapy to the husband of a
woman with Alzheimer’s disease. She was diagnosed 3 months ago, has
mild memory loss, and will be receiving donepezil. What is the drug ’s
expected action?
a. Prevents memory loss in later stages.
b. Reverses the course of Alzheimer ’s disease.
c. Provides sedation to prevent a gitation and restlessness.
d. May help to improve the mood and decrease confusion.
ANS: D
Donepezil is used to treat mild -to-moderate dementia occurring in
Alzheimer’s disease and may improve the symptoms of the disease.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding ( Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NC LEX: Physiological Integrit y: Pharmacological and
Parenteral Therapies
2. A patient has been taking donepezil for 2 weeks as part of the treatment
for earl y stages of Alzheimer ’s disease. Her daughte r calls the
prescriber’s office and is upset because “Mother has not improved one
bit!” Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
a. “Increase the dosage to twice dail y. ”
b. “It takes time for the cure to take effect. ”
, c. “It may take up to 6 weeks to see an impr ovement.”
d. “Take the medication on an empt y stomach for improved
absorption. ”
ANS: C
Donepezil therapy is not a cure for Alzheimer ’s disease, but it may
help to improve symptoms in the earl y stages. It may take up to 6
weeks to see improvement. The famil y should be taught that the
medication must be taken exactl y as ordered and with meals, and the
medication should not be abruptl y stopped or the dosage increased
without the physician ’s approval because of the possibilit y of serious
complications.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl ying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NC LEX: Psychosocial Integrit y
3. A patient who has been diagnosed with Sjögren ’s syndrome will be given
cevimeline for the treatment of xerostomia. The nurse will monitor for
what therapeutic effect?
a. Reduction of salivation
b. Stimulation of salivation
c. Reduction of gastrointestinal peristalsis
d. Improvement of fine -motor control
ANS: B
Cevimeline is a direct -acting cholinergic drug that is used to stimulate
salivation in patients who have xe rostomia (dry mouth), one of the
manifestations of Sjögren ’s syndrome. The other options are incorrect.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Appl ying (Application)
