Pharmacology Basics
The nurse is caring for an older adult who needs to know that drugs, even when taken correctly, can produce negative or unexpected effects. The nurse should address what topic during health education?
What are adverse reactions?
This is the anatomic place in which gas exchange occurs.
What are the alveoli?
A patient asks the nurse what cardiac glycosides do to relieve the symptoms of heart failure. What is the nurse's best response?
What is "make your heart contract more forcefully"?
A patient has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and has begun warfarin (Coumadin) therapy. The nurse has checked the patient's most recent laboratory values and assessment findings. What finding best suggests that the drug is having the desired effect?
What is an INR at or greater than 2.5?
The nurse is preparing to teach the patient about diet therapy when beginning bile sequestrant medication to lower lipid levels. What important DIETARY point will the nurse include in the teaching plan?
What is increasing fiber intake?
The patient looks at the prescription provided by the doctor and asks the nurse about the notation "DAW." What implication of this notation should the nurse explain?
What is the pharmacy will not prescribe a generic substitute and will dispense the prescription as it is written?
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving acetylcysteine by face mask. What would be an appropriate nursing diagnosis?
What is risk for impaired skin integrity?
What is the priority nursing assessment for a patient who is about to begin digoxin (Lanoxin) therapy?
What is renal function?
A 49-year-old patient is admitted with uncontrolled chest pain. The patient is currently taking nitroglycerin. The healthcare provider adds nifedipine to the patient's regimen. The nurse should observe the patient for what adverse effect?
What is hypotension?
A patient taking atorvastatin presents to the clinic reporting acute muscle pain not associated with exercise or injury. The nurse asks questions to determine if this patient has been consuming what contraindicated dietary substance?
What is grapefruit juice?
A patient has been prescribed a medication that is known to be a drug agonist. This drug will have what effect?
What is the drug will interact directly with receptor sites to cause the same activity that a natural chemical would cause at that site?
A patient is diagnosed with bronchitis, and it has been determined that assistance is needed in thinning the sputum so the cough can become productive. What does the nurse expect the provider will prescribe?
What is Guaifenesin (Mucinex)?
The nurse is administering milrinone (Primacor) to a patient with heart failure. The nurse should prioritize what assessment when monitoring the patient for common adverse effects?
What is blood pressure?
These two laboratory findings are monitored to determine proper anti-coagulation with warfarin (Coumadin).
What are the PT and INR?
A patient recently began taking lovastatin (Mevacor). The nurse should assess the patient for what potential adverse effects?
What are GI upset symptoms (nausea, flatulence, and constipation)?
A nurse is caring for a patient who is scheduled to receive three medications at the same time. What action should the nurse perform first?
What is consult the drug book for drug-drug interactions?
The nurse understands that a patient with a history of cardiac arrhythmias and prolonged QT syndrome should use this class of respiratory medications with caution:
What are Anti-histamines?
The ED nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing pulmonary edema. The patient is treated with furosemide (Lasix). What lab value will the nurse monitor most closely?
What is potassium level?
A 68-year-old DIABETIC patient is to receive hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Before administration of this medication, what information is most important for the nurse to communicate to the patient?
What is "the insulin doses may need to be increased"?
A patient with coronary artery disease has been prescribed fluvastatin (Lescol). What would be an adverse laboratory finding that would be directly correlated with a side effect of this medication?
What is increasing liver enzymes?
Buspirone (Buspar) has been prescribed for a patient with anxiety. When providing health education, the nurse should describe what benefit of this medication over other anxiolytics?
What is less central nervous system depression?
A patient with asthma has been prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication. How does an anti-inflammatory drug reduce this patient's bronchoconstriction?
What is decreasing airway hyperreactivity to stimuli, resulting in smooth muscle relaxation?
What common action do both cardiac glycosides and phosphodiesterase inhibitors have in common related to therapeutic action?
What is increasing cellular calcium?
This class of anti-hypertensives can lead to angioedema.
What are ACE-inhibitors?
A nurse is providing teaching to a patient who is starting simvastatin. What teaching should be provided about the timing of doses?
What is "you should take this medication in the evening before bed"?