Anti-inflammatory & Steroids
A nurse is reviewing lab results for a patient on steroid therapy. Which finding requires immediate follow-up?
A. Blood glucose 165 mg/dL
B. WBC 11,000/mm³
C. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
D. Sodium 140 mEq/L
C. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
A patient on theophylline reports nausea and insomnia. What should the nurse do first?
A. Teach the patient to take the medication with food
B. Notify the healthcare provider for possible toxicity
C. Reassure the patient that these are expected side effects
D. Suggest taking the medication before bedtime
B. Notify the healthcare provider for possible toxicity
A nurse is teaching a patient prescribed guaifenesin for a respiratory infection. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Take the medication on an empty stomach only.
B. Limit fluid intake to avoid overhydration.
C. Take with a full glass of water to aid mucus thinning.
D. Discontinue the medication if dizziness occurs.
C. Take with a full glass of water to aid mucus thinning.
A patient is taking an antitussive with codeine. Which side effect should the nurse monitor most closely for?
A. Increased appetite
B. Insomnia
C. Respiratory depression
D. Urinary retention
C. Respiratory Depression
A nurse is educating a patient prescribed cromolyn (NasalCrom) for allergic rhinitis. Which instruction is most appropriate?
A. “Use this medication during an active allergic reaction for fast relief.”
B. “Use it regularly before allergen exposure for best results.”
C. “Take it with food to avoid stomach upset.”
D. “Use it only if your symptoms don’t improve with antihistamines.”
B. “Use it regularly before allergen exposure for best results.”
Which statement is true about anti-inflammatory medication in respiratory care?
A. They act within minutes to relieve symptoms.
B. They reduce inflammation to help prevent exacerbations.
C. They are only available in oral tablet form.
D. They increase oxygen production in the lungs.
B. They reduce inflammation to help prevent exacerbations.
Which finding would require immediate intervention in a patient taking a beta-agonist bronchodilator?
A. Mild tremors
B. Heart rate of 110 bpm
C. Reports of chest palpitations and dizziness
D. Dry mouth
C. Reports of chest palpitations and dizziness
A patient with asthma is prescribed acetylcysteine. What should the nurse monitor for most closely?
A. Tachycardia
B. Bronchospasm
C. Constipation
D. Dehydration
B. Bronchospasm
A nurse is teaching a patient about using over-the-counter antitussives containing dextromethorphan. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will store this medication in a cool, dry place.”
B. “I can take another dose if I feel like the cough is coming back sooner.”
C. “I will avoid alcohol while using this medication.”
D. “I will read the label to avoid taking multiple medications with dextromethorphan.”
B. “I can take another dose if I feel like the cough is coming back sooner.”
A patient asks how mast cell stabilizers work. What is the nurse’s best response?
A. “They increase your immune response to allergens.”
B. “They block the brain’s response to allergens.”
C. “They prevent the release of histamine from mast cells.”
D. “They act quickly to reduce nasal swelling.”
C. “They prevent the release of histamine from mast cells.”
A nurse is reviewing medications with a patient who is prescribed an anti-inflammatory. Which medication, if also prescribed, should raise concern due to a possible interaction?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Albuterol
C. Warfarin
D. Multivitamin
C. Warfarin
The nurse teaches a COPD patient about the differences between long-acting and short-acting bronchodilators. Which statement is correct?
A. “I can use formoterol when I feel short of breath.”
B. “Albuterol is for daily prevention of symptoms.”
C. “Salmeterol should be used every day, not just when symptoms get worse.”
D. “Tiotropium and albuterol should not be used together.”
C. “Salmeterol should be used every day, not just when symptoms get worse.”
A patient with chronic kidney disease is prescribed an expectorant. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Teach the patient about increasing protein intake.
B. Administer the medication with dairy products.
C. Assess renal function before administration.
D. Monitor the patient for signs of hyperglycemia.
C. Assess renal function before administration.
A nurse reviews the medication list of a patient on fexofenadine. Which drug may raise concern for an interaction?
A. Loratadine
B. Erythromycin
C. Albuterol
D. Salmeterol
B. Erythromycin
Which condition is cromolyn (Gastrocrom sodium) most commonly used to manage?
A. Acute asthma attacks
B. Mastocytosis
C. Hypertension
D. Seasonal depression
B. Mastocytosis
A nurse is teaching a client with asthma about the use of inhaled corticosteroids. What instruction is most important to include?
A. “Take the medication only during flare-ups.”
B. “Use your inhaled steroid as a rescue inhaler.”
C. “Rinse your mouth after each dose.”
D. “Use this medication at bedtime only.”
C. “Rinse your mouth after each dose.”
COPD A patient on decongestants asks why they need to monitor blood pressure. What is the best nurse response?
A. “All COPD medications increase blood pressure.”
B. “Decongestants can cause fluid retention and raise blood pressure.”
C. “Monitoring helps us adjust your medication if needed.”
D. “Some decongestants can raise blood pressure and heart rate.”
D. “Some decongestants can raise blood pressure and heart rate.”
A patient taking high-dose acetylcysteine reports nausea and right upper quadrant discomfort. What should the nurse do first?
A. Reassure the patient it is a common side effect.
B. Assess liver function tests.
C. Increase the medication dose.
D. Encourage more fluids
B. Assess liver function tests.
A patient with COPD and seasonal allergies is prescribed loratadine. What is the most appropriate patient teaching?
A. “This medication may cause significant drowsiness.”
B. “This drug replaces the need for bronchodilators.”
C. “This drug may reduce allergy symptoms without sedation.”
D. “Take this medication only when symptoms worsen.”
C. “This drug may reduce allergy symptoms without sedation.”
A nurse is reviewing medications with a patient prescribed Alocril (nedocromil). Which medication should be avoided due to interaction risk?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Diphenhydramine
C. Aspirin
D. Saline nasal spray
C. Aspirin
A patient receiving long-term oral prednisone therapy should be monitored for which complication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Weight loss
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Bradycardia
C. Hyperglycemia
A patient using oxymetazoline nasal spray for 5 days reports worsening congestion. What should the nurse suspect?
A. Viral sinus infection
B. Nasal dryness
C. Rebound congestion
D. Allergy to the medication
C. Rebound congestion
Which over-the-counter expectorant is approved by the FDA and commonly found in products like Mucinex?
A. Acetylcysteine
B. Guaifenesin
C. Potassium iodide
D. Loratadine
B. Guaifenesin
Which adverse effect is most commonly associated with first-generation antihistamines?
A. Hypertension
B. Sedation
C. Hyperactivity
D. Increased urination
B. Sedation
Which of the following is a common side effect of mast cell stabilizers that the nurse should educate the patient about?
A. Urinary incontinence
B. Skin rash
C. Hypertension
D. Weight gain
B. Skin Rash