antiviral drugs (before midterm) Flashcards
A patient diagnosed with shingles is prescribed topical acyclovir (Zovirax®). What important adverse effects should the nurse warn this patient about?
a. Insomnia and nervousness
b. Temporary swelling and rash
c. Burning of the skin
d. No adverse effects
ANS: C
Burning of the skin may occur with the topical application of acyclovir.
A patient who has had a bone marrow transplant has contracted cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. Which drug is preferable for this patient?
a. acyclovir (Zovirax®)
b. foscarnet (Foscavir®)
® c. ganciclovir (Cytovene )
d. amantadine (Dom-Amantidine®)
ANS: B
Foscarnet is indicated for the treatment of CMV retinitis and is less toxic to the bone marrow than ganciclovir is.
Which is a true statement about amantadine (Dom-Amantidine) therapy?
a. It causes less central nervous system (CNS) toxicity than rimantadine.
b. It is commonly used to treat influenza A and influenza B.
c. It should not be given to women who are breastfeeding.
d. It has a longer half-life than rimantadine and may be dosed less frequently.
ANS: C
Amantadine is contraindicated in lactating women, in patients with a hypersensitivity to it, in children younger than 12 months, and in patients with an eczematic rash. Amantadine is active only against influenza A viruses. Compared with amantadine, rimantadine has a longer half-life, may be dosed less frequently, and causes less CNS toxicity.
A patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been taking zidovudine (AZT) therapy for almost 1 year. The physician has decided to change the medication to didanosine (Videx EC®). The patient is very concerned about this medication change. What is the nurse’s best explanation to the patient?
a. Didanosine has fewer toxic effects than zidovudine.
b. Didanosine has been shown to improve survival rates.
c. Taking the zidovudine with the didanosine might have led to serious toxicity.
d. The patient may have been experiencing bone marrow suppression due to the
zidovudine therapy.
ANS: D
Bone marrow suppression is often the reason why a patient with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection needs to be switched to another anti-HIV drug, such as didanosine. Zidovudine and didanosine can be taken together by cutting back on the doses of both, thus decreasing the likelihood of toxicity.
he nurse is administering acyclovir (Zovirax). Which statement is true?
a. Intravenous (IV) infusions should be administered slowly, over at least 1 hour.
b. IV infusions should be administered by rapid IV bolus.
c. IV acyclovir is compatible with many other IV solutions.
d. Oral fluids should be restricted while the client is taking IV acyclovir.
ANS: A
IV infusions of acyclovir should be given slowly, over at least 1 hour. Many IV agents and solutions are incompatible with IV acyclovir. A fluid intake of at least 2 400 mL per day should be encouraged for clients receiving acyclovir, unless contraindicated.
Which is a therapeutic effect of antiviral drugs?
a. Elimination of the virus
b. Eradication of herpetic lesions
c. Delayed progression of HIV infection
d. Prevention of future infections with the same virus
ANS: C
One of the therapeutic effects of antiviral agents is delayed progression of HIV infection.
A patient who is taking a combination of antiretroviral drugs as treatment of early stages of HIV infection asks the nurse whether the drugs will kill the virus. Which statement is the nurse’s best response to this patient?
a. Antiretroviral drugs are rarely beneficial and are given for palliative reasons only.
b. Antiretroviral drugs will be effective as long as the patient is not exposed to the
virus again.
c. Antiretroviral drugs can be given in large enough doses to eradicate the virus
without harming the body’s healthy cells.
d. Antiretroviral drugs are effective only while the virus is replicating, and
replication is often finished by the time symptoms appear.
ANS: D
Antiretroviral drugs are effective only while the virus is replicating, and replication is often finished by the time symptoms appear. Antiretroviral drugs are beneficial and treat patients with active HIV infection. The body’s healthy cells are often harmed during antiretroviral therapy, resulting in the possible occurrence of toxic adverse effects.
A young adult calls the clinic to ask for a prescription for “the flu drug.” He says he has had “the flu” for almost 4 days and just heard about a drug that can reduce the symptoms. Which statement about oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®) is true?
a. These drugs do not stop the spread of influenza.
b. These drugs have few adverse effects.
c. As long as this patient starts treatment within the next 24 hours, the drug should
be effective.
d. Treatment with these drugs should begin within 2 days of the onset of influenza
symptoms.
ANS: D
Treatment with these drugs should be started within 2 days of the onset of influenza symptoms. These drugs may cause nausea or vomiting, and they do work to stop the spread of influenza.
Which drug belongs to the newer class of antiviral drugs called fusion inhibitors?
a. enfuvirtide (Fuzeon®)
b. tenofovir (Viread®)
c. nevirapine (Viramune®)
d. indinavir (Crixivan®)
ANS: A
Enfuvirtide is the drug that belongs to the newer class of antiviral drugs, which are called fusion inhibitors.
A patient with late-stage AIDS has developed Kaposi’s sarcoma. What type of infection is Kaposi’s sarcoma?
a. A drug-resistant infection
b. An opportunistic infection
c. A co-infection
d. A superinfection
ANS: B
Kaposi’s sarcoma is an example of an opportunistic situation; it is an HIV-associated neoplasm.
Which is a common adverse effect of oseltamavir (Tamiflu)? a. Diarrhea
b. Sinusitis ec. Nausea
d. Constipation
ANS: C
The most common adverse effects associated with oseltamavir are nausea and vomiting.
Sinusitis, diarrhea, and nausea are associated with zanamivir. Constipation is not an adverse effect of oseltamavir.
A patient diagnosed with genital herpes is taking topical acyclovir (Zovirax). What should the nurse say to the patient about this drug? (Select all that apply.)
a. “Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying this medicine.”
b. “Apply this ointment until the lesion stops hurting.”
c. “Sterile gloves are required when applying this ointment.”
d. “Use a clean glove or finger cot when applying this ointment.”
e. “If your partner develops these lesions, then he can also use the medication.”
f. “You need to avoid touching around your eyes.”
g. “You will need to practice abstinence when these lesions are active.”
h. “Ask your health care provider about getting a Pap smear every 6 months due to
an increased risk for cervical cancer.”
ANS: A, D, F, G, H
Hands should be thoroughly washed before and after applying this medicine, clean gloves should be used when applying the ointment, the patient should avoid touching around the eyes, abstinence must be practised while the lesions are active, and female patients should have a Pap smear every 6 months due to an increased risk for cervical cancer. This medication should be applied as long as prescribed, and sterile gloves are not needed. Prescriptions should not be shared; if the partner develops these lesions, then the partner will need to be evaluated before medication is prescribed if needed.
