Pharmacology Packet Flashcards
Which statement is the scientific rationale for the combination drug carbidopa/levodopa prescribed to a client diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease?
a. The carbidopa delays the breakdown of the levodopa in the periphery so more dopamine gets to the brain
b. The medication is less expensive when combined, so it is more affordable to clients on a fixed income
c. The carbidopa breaks down in the periphery and causes vasoconstriction of the blood vessels
d. Carbidopa increases the action of levodopa on the renal arteries, increasing renal perfusion
a. The carbidopa delays the breakdown of the levodopa in the periphery so more dopamine gets to the brain
*** without the carbidopa, the levodopa would break down before reaching the blood-brain barrier leaving it ineffective for patients with Parkinson’s
The client with increased intracranial pressure is receiving mannitol. Which intervention should the nurse implement to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication?
a. Monitor the client’s vital signs
b. Maintain strict intake and output
c. Assess the client’s neurological status
d. Check the client’s serum osmolality level
c. Assess the client’s neurological status
*** neurological status is the gold standard in assessing changes in ICP
A patient is going to take their first dose of immediate-release gabapentin. What is the best way to take it?
a. Early in the morning before going to work
b. Right before going to bed
c. Must be taken with a full meal
d. Taken with an antacid to reduce adverse effects
b. Right before going to bed
*** gabapentin (Neurontin) is a CNS depressant and can cause dizziness and drowsiness
The client who has been prescribed phenytoin for epilepsy calls the clinic and reports a measles-like rash. Which intervention should the nurse implement?
a. Instruct the client to come to the clinic immediately
b. Determine if the client is drinking grapefruit juice
c. Encourage the client to apply hydrocortisone cream to the rash
d. Explain that this is a common side effect of this medication
a. Instruct the client to come to the clinic immediately
*** measles-like rash is indicative of Steven Johnson’s syndrome
The client with a seizure disorder who is taking carbamazepine tells the clinic nurse, “I am taking evening primrose oil for my premenstrual (PMS) cramps and it is really working.” Which statement is the nurse’s best response?
a. “You should inform your HCP about taking the herb.”
b. “It is very dangerous to take both the herb and the carbamazepine.”
c. “Herbs are natural substances and I am glad it is helping your PMS.”
d. “Are you sure you should be taking herbs along with carbamazepine?”
a. “You should inform your HCP about taking the herb.”
*** Many herbs can interfere with medications. Even if it doesn’t affect current meds, it should be in the patient’s chart in case the HCP decides to prescribe any other meds.
The nurse is teaching the client diagnosed with angina about sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG). Which statement indicates that the client needs more medication teaching?
a. “I will always carry my nitroglycerin in a dark-colored bottle.”
b. “If I have chest pain, I will put a tablet under my tongue.”
c. “If my pain is not relieved with one tablet, I will get medical help.”
d. “I should expect to get a headache after taking my nitroglycerin.”
c. “If my pain is not relieved with one tablet, I will get medical help.”
*** Pts can take up to three tablets of Nitro before they need to seek medical attention
The nurse is preparing to administer adenosine for the client diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Which assessment finding would indicate the effectiveness of the medication?
a. The client’s ECG tracing shows normal sinus rhythm
b. The client’s apical pulse is within normal limits
c. The client’s blood pressure is above 100/60
d. The client’s serum adenosine level is 1.8 mg/dL
a. The client’s ECG tracing shows normal sinus rhythm
*** adenosine is an antiarrhythmic and the only way to know if it worked is by looking at the ECG
The client is scheduled for a bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing’s disease. Which information regarding the prescribed prednisone should the nurse teach? Select all that apply.
a. When discontinuing this medication, it must be tapered.
b. Take the medication regularly; do not skip doses.
c. Stop taking the medication is you develop a round face.
d. Notify the HCP is you start feeling thirsty all the time.
e. Wear a Medical Alert bracelet in case of an emergency.
b. Take the medication regularly; do not skip doses.
d. Notify the HCP is you start feeling thirsty all the time.
e. Wear a Medical Alert bracelet in case of an emergency.
***(Answer A is not correct because with an adrenalectomy, the patient will be on prednisone forever and will not D/C the med)
The client diagnosed with diabetes insipidus is prescribed desmopressin. Which comorbid condition warrants a change in medication?
a. Renal calculi
b. Diabetes Mellitus Type II
c. Sinusitis
d. Hyperthyroidism
c. Sinusitis
*** Because desmopressin is an inhaled medication
The client diagnosed with hypothyroidism is prescribed levothyroxine. Which assessment data supports the client needs to take more medication? Select all that apply.
a. The client has a 2-kg weight loss
b. The client reports being too cold
c. the client has exophthalmos
d. the client’s radial pulse rate is 90 beats per minute
e. The client reports being constipated
b. The client reports being too cold
e. The client reports being constipated
*** both of these are symptoms of hypothyroidism and indicate that an increase in medication is needed
The client who received darbepoetin calls the clinic nurse and reports aching in the back and legs. Which statement is the nurse’s best response.
a. “This is unrelated to this medication. You may be getting the flu.”
b. “You should come to the clinic immediately to see the HCP.”
c. “This is an expected side effect of the medication and can be treated.”
d. “Have you taken your blood pressure medication today?”
c. “This is an expected side effect of the medication and can be treated.”
*** darbepoetin causes the hyperstimulation of the bone marrow to produce blood cells, so aching is expected. Can be treated with NSAIDs.
The 39-year-old client diagnosed with breast cancer is prescribed tamoxifen. Which information is most important for the nurse to teach the client?
a. The medication will cause menopause symptoms
b. Tamoxifen may cause vaginal discharge and nausea
c. Tamoxifen will slow the growth of estrogen-positive tumors
d. It is important to see a gynecologist regularly
d. It is important to see a gynecologist regularly
*** Due to increased risk of endometrial cancer
Which client should the nurse question receiving erythropoietin?
a. The client diagnosed with end-stage renal disease
b. The client diagnosed with essential hypertension
c. The client diagnosed with lung cancer and metastasis
d. The client diagnosed with anemia and leukopenia
b. The client diagnosed with essential hypertension
*** erythropoietin increases the production of red blood cells which increases blood pressure
The post menopausal client with breast cancer is placed on the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole (Arimidex). Which data indicated the medication is effective?
a. The client reports a positive body image
b. The client is able to discuss her feelings openly
c. The client’s bone and lung scans are negative
d. The client’s DNA and ploidy tests show diploid cells
c. The client’s bone and lung scans are negative
*** This med stops the growth of hormone induced tumors by blocking the conversion of androgen into estrogen in the body
The male client who is diagnosed with AIDS is prescribed megestrol. Which data indicates the medication is effective?
a. The Kaposi’s lesions have become light brown
b. The client ate 90% of the meal served to him
c. The client experiences a decrease in nausea
d. The client is able to complete activities of daily living
b. The client ate 90% of the meal served to him
*** megestrol is an appetite stimulant
Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer to the client exhibiting the following telemetry strip?
a. Adenosine
b. Amiodarone
c. Digoxin
d. Dopamine
b. Amiodarone
*** This med slows down overactive electrical signals that lead to arrhythmias such as PVCs
The client diagnosed with CHF is prescribed enalapril. Which statement explains the scientific rationale for administering this medication?
a. Enalapril increases the levels of angiotensin II in the blood vessels
b. Enalapril dilates arteries, which reduced the workload of the heart
c. Enalapril decreases the effects of bradykinin in the body
d. Enalapril block the intervention of antidiuretic hormone in the kidney
b. Enalapril dilates arteries, which reduced the workload of the heart
***this drug is an ACE inhibitor (ends in -pril) which is a vasodilator to reduce workload of the heart
The nurse in the ICU is caring for a client diagnosed with left cerebral artery thrombotic stroke who received a thrombolytic medication in the ED. Which intervention should be implemented?
a. Administer oral Ticlopidine
b. Place the client in Trendelenburg position
c. Keep the client turned to the right side in high Fowler’s position
d. Monitor heparin infusion
d. Monitor heparin infusion
*** Patient received TPA in the ED so the only thing needed is to monitor heparin infusion and titrate according to Q6 hour PTT
** Ticlopidine is an antiplatelet drug which is usually helpful but is not to be administered within 24 hours of TPA
Which male client should the nurse consider at risk for complications when taking sildenafil
a. A 56-year-old client diagnosed with unstable angina
b. An 87-year-old client diagnosed with glaucoma
c. A 44-year-old client diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
d. a 32-year-old client diagnosed with L1 spinal cord injury
a. A 56-year-old client diagnosed with unstable angina
*** Sildenafil (Viagra) is a vasodilator and may increase symptoms of angina or lead to an MI
The elderly male client is prescribed tolterodine for urge incontinence. Which statement warrants notifying the HCP?
a. “I have to suck on sugarless candy because my mouth is so dry.”
b. “I am so glad I can go all day without having to go to the bathroom.”
c. “i really have a problem swallowing the pills whole with water.”
d. “I hate that i had to give up my grapefruit juice, but I know that it is best.”
b. “I am so glad I can go all day without having to go to the bathroom.”
*** urine retention is bad
A client taking nitrofurantoin for a UTI calls the clinic and tells the nurse that their urine has turned dark. What should the nurse tell the client?
a. “This is a standard side effect of the medication and is not usually indicative of a harmful reaction.”
b. “This means you have cystitis and should come in to see the HCP.”
c. “Stop taking the medication with food. That is what’s causing this reaction.”
d. “Your medication didn’t cause that; it must be some other issue.”
a. “This is a standard side effect of the medication and is not usually indicative of a harmful reaction.”
*** nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) turns urine dark
** Pyridium turns urine bright orange (also used for UTIs)
The nurse is administering hydrochlorothiazide to a client diagnosed with CKD. Which assessment data should cause the nurse to question the administration of this medication? Select all that apply.
a. The client’s skin turgor on the upper chest is tented
b. The urine output was 90 mL for the last 8 hours
c. The client’s oral mucosa is moist and pink
d. The client has 3+ sacral and peripheral edema
e. The client’s blood pressure is 90/60 in the left arm
a. The client’s skin turgor on the upper chest is tented
*** do not give a diuretic when the pt is dehydrated
b. The urine output was 90 mL for the last 8 hours
*** This amount of kidney damage indicates that the diuretic will not be effective
e. The client’s blood pressure is 90/60 in the left arm
*** do not give a diuretic when the pt has a low bp
Which statement best describes the scientific rationale for prescribing metformin?
a. This medication decreases insulin resistance, improving blood glucose control.
b. This medication allows the carbohydrates to pass slowly through the large intestine
c. This medication will decrease the hepatic production of glucose from stored glycogen.
d. This medication stimulates the beta cells to release more insulin into the bloodstream.
c. This medication will decrease the hepatic production of glucose from stored glycogen.
*** used for type 2 diabetics. Causes the liver to stop producing glucose from glycogen
The nurse is preparing to administer spironolactone (Aldactone), potassium sparing diuretic. Which priority intervention should the nurse implement?
a. Check the patient’s potassium level
b. Monitor the patient’s urinary output
c. Encourage consumption of potassium rich foods
d. Give the medication with food
a. Check the patient’s potassium level
*** duh… self explanatory. potassium sparing = increased potassium
