UNIT 8 Expectorant CHAPTER 38

Question 1

What is the drug class for Guaifenesin

A. Expectorant
B. Osmotic
C. Antihistamine
D. Decongestion

Answer 1

A. Expectorant

Question 2

Action of Guaifenesin

Answer 2

Guaifenesin
Action
◦ Loosens bronchial secretions so they can be coughed up

Use
◦ Common cold, flu, respiratory illnesses

Side effects
◦ Nausea/vomiting, drowsy, headache
Expectorants

Question 3

Should you encourage An increase of fluid intake when taking Guaifensin?

a. YES
B. no

Answer 3

a. YES

Question 4

Nursing Teaching for Cold medications

Answer 4

Cold medication care plan
Interventions/teaching
◦ Monitor vital signs
◦ Monitor secretions
◦ Monitor for cough suppression & resp status with
narcotics
◦ Teach proper use of nasal spray
◦ Increase fluids – especially with expectorant
◦ Don’t drive until action is known
◦ Decongestants can cause insomnia, take early in the day
& rebound congestion for overuse
◦ Read labels to know what medications are in multiple
symptom control medication
◦ Contact HCP is cough last longer than 1 week
Cold medication care plan

Question 5

The nurse is teaching an older adult patient about guaifenesin (Robitussin).
Which information is appropriate to include in this teaching? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Take the drug with a glass of water.
B. Read labels on over-the-counter drugs and check
with health care provider before taking cold
remedies.
C. Take the drug at bedtime.
D. Advise patient to contact health care provider if
cough persists more than 2 days.

Answer 5

Answer: A, B
Rationale: Taking the drug with a glass of water can help loosen mucus.
Labels should be read, and the health care provider should be checked
with, to avoid conflict with other medications the patient is taking. Cold
remedies should not be taken at bedtime. The health care provider
should be notified if the cough lasts for 1 week

Question 6

4. A patient has been prescribed guaifenesin. The nurse understands that the purpose of the drug is to accomplish what?
   a. Treat allergic rhinitis and prevent motion sickness
   b. Loosen bronchial secretions so coughing can eliminate them
   c. Compete with histamine for receptor sites, thus preventing a histamine
   response
   d. Stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors, thus producing vascular constriction nof capillaries in nasal mucosa

Answer 6

b. Loosen bronchial secretions so coughing can eliminate them

Question 7

Side effect of Guaifenisin

Answer 7

May cause drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.