Drug Guide Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is providing care for a patient scheduled to take Precose (acarbose) 25 mg three times daily with meals. The patient reports feeling sweaty, weak, and tremulous. Which of the following actions by the nurse is best?
A. Reassure the pati...
1. The nurse is providing care for a patient scheduled to take Precose (acarbose) 25 mg three times daily
with meals. The patient reports feeling sweaty, weak, and tremulous. Which of the following actions by
the nurse is best?
A. Reassure the patient that these are common side effects with the medication.
B. Call the pharmacy to report an adverse drug reaction.
C. Check the patient’s blood glucose level.
D. Determine if the patient has a history of anemia.
ANS: C
See Nursing Implications for acarbose: Observe the patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Acarbose alone does not cause hypoglycemia; however, other concurrently administered hypoglycemic
agents may produce hypoglycemia, requiring treatment. Ignoring these symptoms would be dangerous,
but it is not considered an adverse drug reaction requiring an official report. The patient is experiencing
symptoms of hypoglycemia not anemia.
2. While responding to a rapid response called on the cardiac step-down unit, the nurse from intensive
care observes the unit nurse massaging a patient’s neck and instructing the patient to bear down. Which of
the following medications will most likely be used if the patient’s pulse does not return to normal?
A. Adenocard (adenosine)
B. Adrenaline (epinephrine)
C. Tenormin (atenolol)
D. Saphris (asenapine)
ANS: A
See adenosine Indications: Adenosine is used for the conversion of paroxysmal supraventricular
tachycardia (PVST) to normal sinus rhythm when vagal maneuvers are unsuccessful. Epinephrine is a
bronchodilator used in the management of reversible airway disease. Atenolol is a beta blocker used in
the management of hypertension. Asenapine is an antipsychotic mood stabilizer used in the acute
treatment of schizophrenia or manic/mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder.
3. The nurse is instructing the parent of a 6-year-old patient recently started on a ProAir HFA (albuterol)
inhaler for exercise-induced asthma. The nurse recognizes that further teaching is necessary by which of
the following client statements?
A. “He may feel like his heart is racing after he takes his inhaler.”
B. “He can use the inhaler as many times during football practice as he needs it.”
C. “He should avoid cola and other caffeinated drinks since they may increase his heart rate.”
D. “He should take two puffs about 15 minutes before gym class.”
ANS: B
See Contraindications/Precautions, Interactions, and Dosage for albuterol. Excess inhaler use may lead to
tolerance and paradoxical bronchospasm. Use with caffeine-containing herbs (cola nut, guarana, tea,
coffee) increases stimulant effect. Two inhalations every 4–6 hr or two inhalations 15 min prior to
exercise). Tachycardia is an expected side effect with this medication.
4. While providing care for an adolescent patient newly prescribed Elavil (amitriptyline), the nurse should
be most concerned by which of the following patient statements?
A. “My mouth seems really dry and I’m thirsty all the time.”
B. “I take a nap most afternoons now because I feel sleepy sometimes.”
C. “I’m not sure why we should even bother anymore; everything seems so pointless.”
D. “I drink a cup of coffee most days with breakfast.”
ANS: C
See Contraindications/Precautions for amitriptyline: the use of this medication may increase the risk of
suicide attempt/ideation especially during dose early treatment or dose adjustment; risk may be greater in
children or adolescents. Sedation is an expected side effect. Dry mouth is an expected side effect. There is
no directive to avoid caffeine with this medication.
5. The nurse is caring for a patient with otitis media who reports an allergy to penicillin. Orders are
received for ampicillin 500 mg every 8 hr. Which of the following actions by the nurse is best?
A. Provide the medication as ordered.
B. Call the pharmacist to request a substitution.
C. Ask the patient if he or she has taken ampicillin in the past.
D. Hold the medication.
ANS: D
See contraindications/precautions for ampicillin: Contraindicated in hypersensitivity to penicillin. This
medication should be held due to the stated allergy to penicillin.
6. While caring for a patient in hospice who is actively dying, the nurse notes moderate respiratory
distress, copious oral secretion, and a frequent moist cough. Which of the following prn medications
would most promote comfort for the patient?
A. Morphine (morphine sulfate) 2 mg IV bolus
B. Atro-Pen (atropine) 0.4 mg IV bolus
C. Ativan (lorazepam) 0.5 mg IV bolus
D. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) 25 mg IV bolus
ANS: B
See Action for atropine: Low doses decrease sweating, salivation, and respiratory secretions. Morphine is
used for pain control. Lorazepam is used for anxiety. Benadryl is used for itching.
7. The nurse is counseling a patient started on Zithromax (azithromycin) for the treatment of an upper
respiratory infection. The nurse recognizes that teaching has been effective by which of the following
patient statements?
A. “The med pack will have five pills, one for each of the next 5 days.”
B. “If I don’t feel better next week, I can get a refill from the pharmacist.”
C. “I only need to take one pill, but my symptoms may not clear for 3 days.”
D. “I can take this medication safely even though I’m allergic to erythromycin.”
ANS: A
See Route/Dosage for azithromycin: 500 mg on 1st day, then 250 mg/day for 4 more days. Instruct the
patent to notify health-care professional if symptoms do not improve. Teach the patient to take
medication as directed and to finish the drug completely. Azithromycin is contraindicated in patients with
an allergy to erythromycin.
8. The home-care nurse is preparing to see a patient being treated for diabetic foot ulcerations with
Regranex (becaplermin). Which of the following instructions will the nurse include in the patient
teaching?
A. “Apply the wound gel three times daily to promote healing.”
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