Question 1

A patient is scheduled to take the pneumonia vaccination.She has developed nasal congestion and started taking a topical intranasal steroid.What might the nurse expect the physician to tell the patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   Stop taking the intranasal steroid.
B)   Decrease the use of the intranasal steroid.
C)   Do not take the pneumonia vaccination.
D)   There is no effect from the two used together. C

Question 2

A patient has been instructed to use a topical decongestant for allergic rhinitis.Which information is important for the nurse to include when teaching the patient about the use of this medicine?

Accepted Answer

A)   There are no risks for rebound congestion with this medicine.
B)   It is safe to take this drug with other MAO inhibitors.
C)   Topical decongestants have a slower onset of action.
D)   You should use this medication no more than 3 to 5 days. D

Question 3

A patient is recovering from bronchitis.He is producing large amounts of thick mucus,especially in the mornings.What might the nurse expect the physician to do?

Accepted Answer

A)   Suggest he drink a glass of water with each meal.
B)   Suggest he drink two glasses of orange juice daily.
C)   Order an expectorant and tell the patient to force fluids.
D)   Order an antitussive. C

Question 4

Xanthine derivatives are bronchodilators with which actions in the body? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Smooth-muscle relaxation
B)   Kidney diuresis
C)   Stimulation of the myocardium
D)   Decrease in respiratory rate
E)   Decrease in heart rate

Question 5

What should the nurse teach a patient who is on an antitussive agent?

Accepted Answer

A)   This medication is not habit forming.
B)   This medication is for children's use only.
C)   This medication can be addictive.
D)   This medication comes only in pill form.

Question 6

Which is an important concept to teach patients who take expectorants,antitussives,decongestants,or bronchodilators?

Accepted Answer

A)   These are all over-the-counter medications that must be used with caution.
B)   Medication effectiveness will be enhanced with adequate patient hydration of more than 2 quarts of water per day.
C)   These preparations frequently cause adverse effects, and the patient should not take them without consulting a physician.
D)   Patients may expect to develop fever, swollen lymph nodes, and tightness in the chest when taking these products.

Question 7

The patient on cromolyn for asthma is monitored carefully during reduction of the medication for which reason?

Accepted Answer

A)   An increase in appetite causes weight gain.
B)   The asthmatic symptoms may return.
C)   Discharge from the nasal passages increases.
D)   The patient's eyes will water more.

Question 8

For which reason should patients with hypertension be advised not to take antihistamines?

Accepted Answer

A)   They cause a slow pulse rate.
B)   They need to be taken 2 hours apart.
C)   There is a 6-hour wait between doses.
D)   They can cause blood pressure to rise.

Question 9

A patient is experiencing severe headaches and pressure over her eyes.She feels congested but has no temperature elevation.There is a past history of sinus infection with this patient.What might the nurse expect the physician to order?

Accepted Answer

A)   Expectorant
B)   Antibiotic
C)   Antitussive
D)   Decongestant

Question 10

A 17-year-old high school wrestler comes in for his regularly scheduled appointment for asthma.He reports no acute problems now with wheezing,coughing,shortness of breath,or tightness in his chest.Which medication might he be a candidate for prophylactic treatment?

Accepted Answer

A)   Theochron
B)   Sus-Phrine
C)   Cromolyn sodium
D)   Proventil

Question 11

A patient has recently recovered from pneumonia.She is on an expectorant for a cough she developed with her pneumonia.She discovers that she now wheezes after jogging in the morning.What might the nurse expect the physician to suggest?

Accepted Answer

A)   Taking an oral bronchodilator before running
B)   Using an intranasal steroid nebulizer before running
C)   Taking a spray decongestant before running
D)   Drinking 2 quarts of water daily

Question 12

Which is true regarding the use of intranasal steroids?

Accepted Answer

A)   Low-grade infection is present and has not responded to the use of antibiotics.
B)   Conventional methods of reducing inflammation have been tried and found to be ineffective.
C)   The patient is pregnant.
D)   The patient is immunocompromised.

Question 13

The therapeutic level of theophylline is directly related to the blood levels achieved from the administration of the medication on a regular schedule.Which factors affect therapeutic levels? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Variance in rates of absorption
B)   Fluid intake
C)   Metabolism
D)   Age of the patient
E)   Elimination

Question 14

A patient comes into the clinic complaining of a nonproductive cough and muscle aches that she has had for 5 days.She has no sore throat,temperature elevation,or swollen lymph nodes.She is coughing so much that she is unable to sleep at night.Which medication might the nurse expect the physician to order?

Accepted Answer

A)   Decongestant
B)   Expectorant
C)   Antitussive
D)   Antibiotic

Question 15

An energetic adult patient,who has had asthma since birth,takes theophylline regularly.What should the nurse be most concerned with regarding care for this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)   The presence of infection and bronchospasm
B)   His blood theophylline levels
C)   His ability to swallow the medication
D)   Adverse reactions

Question 16

Cromolyn is effective in which situations? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Prophylaxis for asthma
B)   Management of an acute exacerbation of asthma
C)   Management of allergic rhinitis
D)   Management of eczema
E)   Management of postexercise bronchospasm

Question 17

A patient with renal failure expresses he prefers to take an herbal drug for relief of his cold.Which herbal drug should the nurse caution the patient about taking?

Accepted Answer

A)   Echinacea
B)   Vitamin C
C)   Arabinoxylane
D)   Grapefruit seed extract

Question 18

A patient has had asthma since childhood but is now an active teenager with few symptoms as long as she takes her medication regularly.Lately she reports a lack of appetite,difficulty falling asleep,vague feelings of anxiety,and restlessness.She also notices a little tremor of her hands and feels pounding in her chest.Which drugs may cause these symptoms?

Accepted Answer

A)   Sympathomimetic drugs
B)   Xanthine derivatives
C)   Cromolyn sodium
D)   Both sympathomimetic and xanthine derivative agents

Question 19

The physician has ordered an antihistamine for an elderly patient with allergies.What might the nurse expect the physician to do?

Accepted Answer

A)   Go slow and stay low in dosing.
B)   Order the medication according to age and weight.
C)   Only give liquid medication.
D)   Give medication once a week.

Question 20

A patient is seen regularly for hypertension.When he comes today for his regular appointment,he asks for a decongestant,because he has a bad head cold.What would the nurse expect the physician to do?

Accepted Answer

A)   Order a decongestant.
B)   Order an antibiotic because of the possibility of infection.
C)   He would not order a decongestant because that medication might increase the patient's hypertension.
D)   Order an expectorant and hydrate the patient.

Exam 8: Allergy and Respiratory Medications