Chapter 8 Flashcards
A patient with allergies has been prescribed an antihistamine. Which response by the patient
demonstrates understanding of the action of antihistamine drugs?
a. “Antihistamines act by blocking histamine receptors in tissues.”
b. “Antihistamines act by increasing dilation of blood vessels.”
c. “Antihistamines act by blocking the release of histamine.”
d. “Antihistamines act by increasing the production of acetylcholine.”
a. “Antihistamines act by blocking histamine receptors in tissues.”
- An older adult patient with glaucoma reports taking an antihistamine for allergy symptoms.
What adverse effect of antihistamines would you alert this patient about?
a. Ototoxicity
b. Ocular “floaters”
c. Excessive tearing
d. Increased intraocular pressure
d. Increased intraocular pressure
A 43-year-old male patient with hypertension has stated that he is taking an over-the-counter
antihistamine every day for seasonally allergies. In reviewing all the drugs this patient is taking,
what statement should be included in his teaching plan?
a. “Take your antihistamine 2 hours before your other prescription drugs.”
b. “Antihistamines can cause your blood pressure to rise.”
c. “Antihistamines can cause a slowing of the pulse rate.”
d. “Antihistamines must be taken at the same time as antihypertensives.”
b. “Antihistamines can cause your blood pressure to rise.”
- A patient taking a decongestant for seasonal allergies asks you to explain how a decongestant
works. What is your best response?
a. “Decongestants act by decreasing inflammation within the respiratory tract.”
b. “Decongestants act in the respiratory tract to decrease mast cell activity.”
c. “Decongestants reduce allergy symptoms, but to not reduce inflammation.”
d. “Decongestants act by reducing the immune response of lymphocytes.”
c. “Decongestants reduce allergy symptoms, but to not reduce inflammation.”
An adolescent with asthma is taking an inhaled anti-inflammatory drug and asks you what side
effects can be expected with this inhaled drug. What is your best response?
a. “You may experience some mild anemia with this drug.”
b. “You may experience some bronchoconstriction after the first dose of this drug.”
c. “You may experience mild itching of the mucous membranes with this drug.”
d. “You may experience dryness of the mouth with this drug.”
d. “You may experience dryness of the mouth with this drug.”
Which patient would not be a candidate for a leukotriene inhibitor as part of the treatment plan
for mild asthma?
a. An adult patient with a history of liver disease
b. An older patient with cognitive impairment
c. An adolescent with allergic rhinitis
d. A patient with depression
a. An adult patient with a history of liver disease
- An adolescent with a history of asthma will need a drug to prevent exercise-induced asthma
while playing high school sports.
Which drug would be appropriate for this use?
a. Cromolyn sodium
b. Theochron
c. Sus-Phrine
d. Proventil
a. Cromolyn sodium
You are teaching a patient with newly diagnosed asthma about using the prescribed drugs to
manage acute asthma symptoms.
Which of the following statements made by the patient would indicate your teaching was
effective?
a. “I will keep my short-acting bronchodilating inhaler with me at all times.”
b. “I will take my cromolyn sodium 5 minutes after asthma symptoms begin.”
c. “I will take montelukast (Singulair) at the first sign of an asthma attack.”
d. “I will take my decongestant and corticosteroid nasal spray each day.”
a. “I will keep my short-acting bronchodilating inhaler with me at all times.”
- A patient has been prescribed fluticasone (Flonase) to control swelling of the nasal mucosa due
to allergies. Which statement made by the patient alerts you to a possible adverse effect of this
drug?
a. “My nasal passages appear to be dry.”
b. “I have a white patch in my throat that is sore.”
c. “I have been experiencing a fast heartbeat after taking this drug.”
d. “I feel sleepy most of the day.”
b. “I have a white patch in my throat that is sore.”
A patient with asthma who has been prescribed a long-acting beta-adrenergic agonist asks
why this drug is not useful during an actual acute asthma attack. What is your best response?
a. “Long-acting beta agonists reduce inflammation rather than relax bronchial smooth.”
b. “Long-acting beta agonists can worsen an asthma attack.”
c. “Long-acting beta agonists need time to build up an effect.”
d. “Long-acting beta agonists take too long to be absorbed by the intestinal tract.”
c. “Long-acting beta agonists need time to build up an effect.”
Which of the following patients is most at risk for overdose from the oral mucolytic drug
guaifenesin?
a. A 38-year-old patient who had surgery 4 days ago
b. A 60-year-old with a history of COPD
c. An adolescent with a history of asthma
d. A 1-year-old child with a cold and cough
d. A 1-year-old child with a cold and cough
Which statement made by the patient demonstrates understanding of the use of oral
mucolytics?
a. “I will not use a humidifier while taking this drug.”
b. “This drug will stop me from coughing.”
c. “I will drink at least 2 quarts of water while taking this drug.”
d. “This drug will cause my urine to change color.”
c. “I will drink at least 2 quarts of water while taking this drug.”
What information should be included in the teaching plan for a patient who is prescribed an
antitussive agent?
a. “This drug contains codeine but is not habit forming.”
b. “This drug can be taken for long periods of time.”
c. “This drug can cause drowsiness.”
d. “Do not give this drug to adults, as this drug is for children’s use only.”
c. “This drug can cause drowsiness.”
- A patient with a severe cough has been prescribed a codeine-based antitussive. What
statement made by this patient would alert you that the patient is experiencing a side effect of the
drug?
a. “My appetite has been greatly increased lately.”
b. “I have been having difficulty sleeping.”
c. “My fingertips feel a bit numb.”
d. “I have been experiencing constipation lately.”
d. “I have been experiencing constipation lately.”
- You are teaching a patient with severe asthma prescribed both a short acting beta-adrenergic
agonist (SABA) and an inhaled corticosteroid. Which statement made by the patient demonstrates
understanding of how to use these drugs?
a. “Never take these two inhalers together.”
b. “Take the SABA before the inhaled corticosteroid.”
c. “Take the inhaled corticosteroid before the SABA.”
d. “Take the SABA on alternate days only.”
b. “Take the SABA before the inhaled corticosteroid.”
Which type of asthma problem is helped most directly by anti-inflammatory drugs?
a. Thick mucus
b. Mucosal swelling
c. Bronchoconstriction
d. Large, flabby alveoli
b. Mucosal swelling
What is the most common route used to deliver short-acting beta-adrenergic agonists?
a. Oral
b. Intravenous
c. Transdermal
d. Inhalation
d. Inhalation
Why are xanthine agents seldom used to treat asthma now?
a. They increase bronchial secretions at the same time that they induce bronchial
dilation.
b. They have no role in preventing bronchoconstriction or inflammation.
c. They are all given intravenously.
d. They have severe systemic side effects.
d. They have severe systemic side effects.
