Anti-inflammatory drugs Flashcards
Which types of effects are possible therapeutic effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?
a. Anxiolytic effects
b. Diuretic effects
c. Antipyretic effects
d. Antimicrobial effects
ANS: C
NSAIDs have antipyretic effects but not the other effects listed.
A 75-year-old female patient has been given naproxen sodium (Aleve®) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Which type of medication will have a possible interaction with this NSAID?
a. Antibiotics
b. Decongestants
c. Anticoagulants d. Antihistamines
ANS: C
Anticoagulants taken with NSAIDs may cause increased bleeding tendencies because of platelet inhibition and hypoprothrombinemia.
An older adult patient tells the nurse that he uses acetylsalicylic acid for “anything that ails me.” What are the most common signs of chronic salicylate intoxication in adults?
a. Photosensitivity and nervousness
b. Tinnitus and hearing loss
c. Acute gastrointestinal bleeding and anorexia
d. Hyperventilation and central nervous system (CNS) effects
ANS: B
The most frequent manifestations of chronic intoxication in adults are tinnitus and hearing loss. Hyperventilation and CNS effects are manifestations of chronic intoxication in children.
A patient is being treated with allopurinol (Zyloprim®) for gout. Which therapeutic result should the nurse monitor for?
a. Decreased uric acid levels
b. Adequate prothrombin time
c. Increased white blood cell count
d. Increased hemoglobin and hematocrit levels
ANS: A
Treatment of gout with allopurinol should result in a decrease in uric acid levels.
A patient is prescribed colchicine for the treatment of gout. What important information should the nurse give the patient about this drug?
a. Fluids should be restricted while on colchicine therapy.
b. Colchicine should be taken with meals.
c. The drug should be discontinued when symptoms are reduced.
d. Report to the health care provider the occurrence of increased pain, blood in the
urine, or excessive fatigue.
ANS: D
Colchicine may cause renal effects; therefore, these symptoms must be reported immediately. Colchicine should be taken on an empty stomach for better absorption, and fluids should be increased unless contraindicated. Patients should not discontinue the drug on their own; they should seek advice from the physician regarding discontinuation of the medication.
A 55-year-old female patient is being administered ketorolac intramuscularly. What information should the nurse give this patient about this drug?
a. Laboratory work will be monitored weekly.
b. The medication is given slowly intramuscularly into a large muscle mass.
c. The medication is given subcutaneously, and the sites are rotated.
d. Therapeutic blood levels will occur within a month of therapy.
ANS: B
With ketorolac, dosing is not to exceed a 5- to 7-day time period with either the oral or intramuscular dosage forms. Administer intramuscular injections slowly into a large muscle mass. Laboratory work are monitored monthly, and patients should be told that therapeutic blood levels may not occur until after 3 to 4 months of therapy.
A 6-year-old patient has a fever of 39.5°C during a bout of chicken pox. His mother asks the nurse for advice to help reduce his fever. The nurse will likely suggest which medication?
a. acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)
b. ketorolac (Toradol®)
c. indomethacin
d. ibuprofen (Motrin®)
ANS: D
Ibuprofen is available in many preparations as an over-the-counter antipyretic. The nurse should teach parents that Aspirin inappropriate for children younger than age 12 years because of the risk for Reye’s syndrome. Ketorolac and indomethacin are prescription medications that are not used as antipyretics.
A patient has used buffered acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) for several years as treatment for osteoarthritis. However, the patient’s symptoms are worsening, and now something stronger is needed. The physician prescribes an NSAID and misoprostol. The patient asks the nurse why two pills now have to be taken for the arthritis. Which is the nurse’s best response to the patient?
a. Misoprostol will also reduce the symptoms of arthritis.
b. Misoprostol potentiates the action of the NSAID so that it will work better.
c. Misoprostol reduces the mucous secretions in the stomach, which reduces gastric
irritation.
d. Misoprostol may help to prevent gastric ulcers that may occur when taking
NSAIDs.
ANS: D
Misoprostol inhibits gastric acid secretions and stimulates mucous secretions and has proved successful in preventing the gastric ulcers that may occur in patients taking NSAIDs.
A patient who has a history of coronary artery disease has been instructed to take one 81-mg tablet of acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) each day. What is the purpose of this dose of acetylsalicylic acid?
a. To prevent fever
b. To reduce inflammation
c. To relieve pain
d. To prevent thrombus formation
ANS: D
Acetylsalicylic acid can reduce platelet aggregation. A daily Aspirin tablet (81 mg or 325 mg) is now routinely recommended as prophylactic therapy for adults who have strong risk factors for developing coronary artery disease or stroke, even if they have no prior history of such an event. The 81-mg tablets (traditionally thought of as “children’s” Aspirin) and the 325-mg pills appear to be equally beneficial for the prevention of thrombotic events.
Which natural health product is sometimes used to treat the pain of osteoarthritis?
a. St. John’s wort
b. Ginger
c. Glucosamine
d. Dandelion root
ANS: C
Glucosamine and chondroitin are often used in combination, although each is also used individually to treat pain from osteoarthritis.
Which are contraindications to the use of NSAIDs? (Select all that apply.)
a. Rhinitis
b. Arthralgia
c. Peptic ulcer disease
d. Breastfeeding
e. Neuropathy
f. Epistaxis
g. Pericarditis
ANS: A, C, D, F
Contraindications to NSAIDs include a known drug allergy and conditions that place the patient at bleeding risk, such as rhinitis (risk of epistaxis, or nosebleed) and peptic ulcer disease. NSAIDs are also not advised for mothers who are breastfeeding.
