CHP 30 Upper Respiratory

A client is in the clinic for seasonal allergic rhinitis. Loratadine (Claritin) is prescribed. Which statement will the nurse include when providing education concerning this drug?

"Determine if the drug is going to make you drowsy before you drive."

A nurse is teaching a 55-year-old client about fexofenadine prescribed to treat allergic symptoms. Which client statement suggests an understanding of this teaching?

"I should avoid driving after taking this medication."

A client calls the clinic and states, "I have had a persistent cough for 2 weeks. What should I do?" What would be the nurse's best response?

"You should come to the clinic to be evaluated. A cough that lasts that long might indicate a medical problem."

A client whose daily commute includes travel on a ferry boat has been prescribed diphenhydramine. During client teaching, the nurse should instruct the client to take the medication at what time?

30 to 60 minutes before the ferry trip

A client asks the nurse about using dextromethorphan to relieve a cough. What type of cough would the nurse explain is best treated with the drug?

A dry, nonproductive cough

A client is prescribed an antihistamine. The nurse determines that the drug would be contraindicated if the client had which condition? Select all that apply.

Angle-closure glaucoma Cardiovascular shock

A client, scheduled to receive one unit of packed red blood cells, has a history of an allergic reaction to a transfusion in the past. What class of medication will assist in preventing a reaction to the packed red blood cell transfusion?

Antihistamines

A client asks, "What is the difference between antitussive medications and expectorants?" What information should the nurse's response be based upon?

Antitussives suppress coughing while expectorants loosen bronchial secretions.

A client having an allergic reaction to mold, describes chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Which process is occurring?

Contraction of smooth muscle in the bronchi

A client comes to the clinic with what appears to be a cold. What group of upper respiratory drugs cause local vasoconstriction, which decreases blood flow and shrinks swollen membranes to improve air flow?

Decongestants

When describing the benefits of second-generation H1 receptor antagonists to those of first-generation H1 receptor antagonists, the nurse should cite what advantage?

Decreased sedation

What important pre-administration assessment should the nurse conduct in a patient who has been prescribed a mucolytic drug for the treatment of upper respiratory infection?

Document amount of dyspnea

What is the chemical mediator released in immune and inflammatory response to allergic reactions?

Histamine

A client is encouraged to take guaifenesin to loosen the secretions due to a viral respiratory infection. What should the nurse suggest to the client to make the medication work more effectively?

Increase fluid intake

A client is receiving an antitussive. Which interventions would the nurse include in the client's plan of care to help prevent pooling of secretions in the client's lungs? Select all that apply.

Increase fluid intake Change positions frequently

The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and takes clemastine daily. What should the nurse teach the client about the action of the medication?

It blocks the effects of histamine.

When describing the action of decongestants, a nurse integrates knowledge of this class of drugs, identifying which mechanism?

Vasoconstriction of small blood vessels of the nasal membranes

The nurse is planning care for a client who is experiencing excessive respiratory tract secretions. What intervention should the nurse include?

deep breathing and coughing exercises

The client has a productive cough and the primary care provider will not order an antitussive. What should the client do to enhance the removal of secretions? Select all that apply.

increase fluids change positions frequently

Which nursing diagnosis would provide the clearest indication for the administration of inhaled acetylcysteine?

ineffective airway clearance

An elderly client taking cough medicine with codeine reports dizziness when getting out of bed. This most likely can be attributed to which?

orthostatic hypotension

A client asks the nurse how long to use oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal spray for nasal congestion. What is the nurse's best response?

"Consult with your primary care provider."