Question 1

A nursing student is preparing to join a college expedition in the tropics. Which of the following medications is most likely to be included in the medical preparation for this trip?

Accepted Answer

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) is commonly used as a prophylactic treatment for malaria, which is a common disease in tropical regions. Therefore, it is likely to be included in the medical preparation for the expedition. Keppra (levetiracetam) is an antiepileptic medication, Remicade (infliximab) is an immunosuppressant and Namenda (memantine) is used to treat dementia and Alzheimer's disease, which are not related to the medical needs of a tropical expedition.

Question 2

A nurse on the cardiac unit is providing care to a 67-year-old patient who has recently been started on BiDil (hydralazine/isosorbide dinitrate) 1 tablet orally three times daily. The patient informs the nurse that he has a headache and rates his headache pain as 4 on a scale of 1-10. Which of the following actions by the nurse is best?

Accepted Answer

Headache is a common side effect of BiDil due to the vasodilation effects of the medication. Holding all future doses and notifying the pharmacy of a medication allergy is incorrect because the patient is not experiencing an allergic reaction. Checking oxygen saturation and calling the physician is not indicated for a headache. Providing distraction techniques may help alleviate headache pain but addressing the cause of the headache with medication is appropriate in this case. The best action is to inform the patient that headache is a common side effect and provide Tylenol as ordered.

Question 3

A student nurse is taking care of patients on a medical unit and receives new orders for Lunesta (eszopiclone) 2 mg orally each evening. In transcribing this order, the student should take which of the following actions?

Accepted Answer

Lunesta is a sleep aid medication and should be given at bedtime. It is important for the student nurse to understand the medication and its purpose in order to accurately transcribe the order.

Question 4

The nurse is assisting in the discharge of a patient with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) who will receive antibiotic therapy with Invanz (ertapenem) at home under the direction of a home health-care agency. The nurse recognizes that teaching has been effective by which of the following client statements?

Accepted Answer

Option C is the correct statement, as it accurately conveys that the client will receive the Invanz antibiotic once a day for a period of approximately 2 weeks. Option A is incorrect, as the client will not have nursing visits every 6 hours but rather will typically receive once daily medication administration. Option B is also incorrect, as if the dressing pulls back it should be addressed immediately to prevent infection. Option D is incorrect, as allergies are specific to each medication, and just because someone is not allergic to penicillin, it does not guarantee that they won't be allergic to Invanz.

Question 5

The nurse is caring for a patient on the operative day for a laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy. The patient complains of pain and the nurse notes orders for ketorolac) 30 mg intravenously every 6 hr as needed for pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should draw up the ketorolac as ordered and administer it in the nearest IV port over 15 seconds. Mixing the medication with normal saline is not necessary or appropriate. Checking magnesium levels and allergies to morphine are not relevant to the administration of ketorolac.

Question 6

A patient with asthma has multiple inhalants prescribed including Ventolin (albuterol), Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide), and Atrovent (ipratropium). The nurse verifies teaching is effective if which of the following is observed?

Accepted Answer

Rinsing the mouth after using inhalers helps prevent oral thrush and other possible respiratory infections. It is also important to note that the order of inhalation and waiting time between inhalations may vary based on healthcare provider's instructions and the patient's specific inhaler regimen. Using ipratropium only during severe acute bronchospasms may not be indicated based on the patient's individual treatment plan.

Question 7

A nurse caring for a patient who takes Tofranil (imipramine) 150 mg orally at bedtime would be most concerned by which of the following observations?

Accepted Answer

Tofranil (imipramine) can cause blurred vision and other visual disturbances as a side effect. The other options listed are not typically associated with the use of this medication. A blue-green tinge to urine can occur with methylene blue, which is sometimes used as a diagnostic agent or treatment for certain conditions, and dizziness upon standing may be a symptom of orthostatic hypotension, which is common in elderly patients regardless of medication use. A 2-pound weight gain over 3 weeks is not uncommon and may not necessarily be a concern, depending on the patient's overall health status and dietary habits.

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a patient receiving treatment for viral pneumonia. The nurse notes the patient has a persistent cough that is interfering with the patient's ability to sleep. Which of the following medications should the nurse provide?

Accepted Answer

Guaifenesin is an expectorant that can help to loosen and thin out the mucus in the patient's lungs, making it easier for them to cough it up and clear their airways. Ativan is a benzodiazepine that can cause sedation and respiratory depression, which could be dangerous for a patient with pneumonia. Tylenol and Sustol are not indicated for a persistent cough.

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with hepatic encephalopathy who is receiving Constilac (lactulose). The nurse should be prepared to assist the patient in managing which of the following side effects?

Accepted Answer

Constilac (lactulose) is a laxative that works by reducing the absorption of ammonia in the intestine. This can lead to frequent loose stools as a side effect. Headache, somnolence, and muscle aches are not common side effects of lactulose.

Question 10

The nurse caring for patients on a gynecological surgery unit would monitor which of the following women most closely for evidence of a deep vein thrombosis?

Accepted Answer

The risk factors for deep vein thrombosis include smoking, hormone therapy, and surgery. The patient taking Estrace (estradiol) has a higher risk due to the hormone therapy and history of smoking. The other patients do not have significant risk factors for deep vein thrombosis.

Question 11

While reviewing medications to be provided by a student nurse, the instructor notes a patient is scheduled to take famciclovir 500 mg orally every 8 hr. The instructor suspects the patient most likely has which of the following diagnoses?

Accepted Answer

Famciclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat herpes zoster (shingles) and genital herpes. It is not used for bacterial infections such as MRSA or pneumonia, nor is it used for hepatic encephalopathy which is a neurological complication of liver disease.

Question 12

The nurse is caring for a patient who reports taking Prevacid (lansoprazole) 15 mg orally each day. The nurse expects the pharmacy to substitute which of the following medications during hospitalization?

Accepted Answer

Prilosec (omeprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) like Prevacid (lansoprazole) that works by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It is a suitable substitute for Prevacid and is often used interchangeably with it. Zofran (ondansetron) is an antiemetic medication used to treat nausea and vomiting, Carafate (sucralfate) is a medication used to treat ulcers by coating the stomach lining, and Tums (calcium carbonate) is an antacid used to neutralize stomach acid, but neither of these medications is a suitable substitute for Prevacid.

Question 13

A nursing faculty is observing a student nurse prepare and provide morning medications including delayed-released Nexium (esomeprazole) capsules to a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube. The nurse should intervene if which of the following is noted?

Accepted Answer

Delayed-release granules should not be dissolved as they are designed to release the medication slowly. Dissolving them can alter the medication's effectiveness and safety.

Question 14

The nurse is caring for a patient recently started on Seroquel (quetiapine). Which assessment finding would indicate that treatment was effective?

Accepted Answer

Seroquel is an antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The medication works by targeting specific neurotransmitters in the brain, which can help to reduce the severity of symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. Therefore, if the patient is reporting a reduction in these symptoms, it would indicate that the treatment is effective. The other assessment findings (high blood pressure, low urine output, and pain) are not directly related to the action of Seroquel and may not be affected by its use.

Question 15

While working with a patient who takes Dalmane (flurazepam), the nurse should be most concerned by which of the following patient statements?

Accepted Answer

The statement "I have to take it every night or I won't get any sleep" indicates a possible dependence on the medication and the need for further assessment and monitoring by the nurse. The other statements are not concerning in relation to the medication.

Question 16

A nurse working in hospice is providing care for a patient reporting increased instances of pain. Which of the following factors would indicate the patient is a good candidate for Fentanyl /transmucosal (ACTIQ) therapy?

Accepted Answer

Fentanyl transmucosal (ACTIQ) is indicated for managing breakthrough pain in cancer patients who are already receiving and who are tolerant to around-the-clock opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain. A patient taking more than 60 mg of oral morphine daily is considered opioid-tolerant, making them a suitable candidate for this form of therapy.

Question 17

The nurse caring for a patient who takes Simponi (golimumab) recognizes this as a relatively new agent in the class of monoclonal antibodies. In addition to their usefulness in the treatment of some tumor types, these agents play a role in the treatment of which of the following disease states?

Accepted Answer

Monoclonal antibodies such as Simponi are used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a cytokine involved in the inflammatory response. They are not typically used in the treatment of viral hepatitis, pancreatitis, or multiple sclerosis.

Question 18

The nurse providing therapy with Simponi (golimumab) recognizes the patient must be meticulously screened for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Simponi can increase the risk of tuberculosis reactivation in patients who have latent tuberculosis. Therefore, patients must be screened for both active and latent tuberculosis before initiating therapy with Simponi.

Question 19

The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a patient taking Boniva (ibandronate). The nurse should intervene if the client makes which of the following statements?

Accepted Answer

Boniva (ibandronate) should be taken with a full glass of water, and the patient should not eat, drink anything other than water, or take any other medications for at least 60 minutes afterward. Taking it with coffee can interfere with its absorption and effectiveness. Choices A, B, and C do not indicate a misunderstanding of the medication's instructions.

Question 20

The nurse is providing care for a patient diagnosed with candidiasis. The nurse expects the medication record to include which of the following medications?

Accepted Answer

Nizoral (ketoconazole) is an antifungal medication used to treat candidiasis. Lamictal (lamotrigine) is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder. Trandate (labetalol) is a beta-blocker medication used to treat high blood pressure. Sprix (ketorolac) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain. None of these medications would be used to treat candidiasis.

Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses Test 1