NU220 pharm Chapter 25: Drug Therapy for Parasitic Infections

A client has been diagnosed with pinworms and completed a three-day course of mebendazole one week ago. The client states, "I felt better for a couple of days, but now the itching feels as bad as it ever did." What is the nurse's most appropriate response?

"Check with your provider, but you can likely have another course of treatment in two weeks."

A client is admitted to the hospital for the treatment of malaria. The health care provider has ordered chloroquine. Which symptoms would indicate a serious adverse reaction?

blurred vision

All of these measures can prevent the spread of parasitic infections EXCEPT:

eating uncooked meat.

The nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed mebendazole for a helminth infection. What diagnostic test would the nurse monitor to determine the effectiveness the medication?

stool sample

A 22-year-old female college student presented to the clinic and was given a prescription for metronidazole 250 mg PO tid for 7 days. The nurse at the clinic understands that metronidazole is used in the treatment of which?

trichomoniasis.

A patient has been diagnosed with trichomoniasis. Before the client begins tinidazole therapy, the nurse should learn about the client's:

use of alcohol.

A sexually active teen tells the nurse, "My sexual partner is being treated for trichomoniasis." What is the nurse's best response when the teen asks about receiving treatment as well?

"You need to be treated simultaneously."

A 22-year-old female client has been diagnosed with trichomoniasis, and treatment with metronidazole has been prescribed. What characteristic of the client's health would lead the nurse to contact the health care provider regarding the prescription?

pregnancy

When interviewing a client with a suspected worm infection, what assessment finding would best address the client's risk of Ascaris?

"Have you eaten any unwashed, fresh vegetables lately?"

The nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with amebiasis caused by Entamoeba histolytica that resulted in the client having amebic dysentery. What questions should the nurse ask in an attempt to discover how the client came in contact with the organism? Select all that apply.

"Have you traveled outside the country recently?" "Have you been swimming in a lake or pond recently?" "Have you been eating fresh fruits or vegetables without washing them first?"

A client has been prescribed tinidazole for the treatment of a protozoal infection. What statement by the client indicates to the nurse that further teaching is warranted?

"I like to have a small glass of white wine each evening to unwind."

The nurse is providing education to a client who is being treated for scabies. What statement by the client indicates a need for further information concerning the condition?

"Scabies can infect my digestive tract."

Following a detailed diagnostic workup, a client has been diagnosed with schistosomiasis. What assessment question by the nurse best addresses the likely etiology of this client's health problem?

"When was the last time you traveled outside the country?"

The nurse is providing health education for a client who has been prescribed atovaquone (Malarone) prior to leaving on a tropical vacation. The nurse should state:

"You'll have to take this drug each day, starting before you leave on your trip."

A client has been prescribed mefloquine before embarking on a scientific survey in a malaria endemic area. What should the nurse teach the client about this prophylactic drug regimen?

"You'll need to keep taking this for about one month after you return."

The pediatric nurse is caring for a 9-year-old client who has been diagnosed with amebiasis. The client weighs 82.5 lbs. and has been prescribed metronidazole 40 mg/kg/day in three divided doses for 10 days. How many 250-mg tablets should the nurse administer for each dose?

2

A pediatric nurse is caring for a 4 year-old child who has been diagnosed with the most common childhood helminthic disease in the United States. The nurse should anticipate what intervention?

A three-day course of mebendazole

A client has been diagnosed with malaria and will begin treatment promptly. What is the best way to attack the Plasmodium protozoa's life cycle?

Administer combination therapy as prescribed

Mrs. Coles, 45 years old, suffers from an acute case of scabies. She is prescribed a daily dosage of permethrin. She needs advice and tips regarding effective therapy because she attempted many other therapies before, which were ineffective. What permethrin usage tip should the nurse give her?

Advise the patient to leave the permethrin cream on the skin for 8 to 14 hours.

A nurse is reviewing the health record of a client for whom antimalarial therapy is being proposed. The nurse should identify what aspect of the client's history as contraindicating the use of antimalarials?

Alcoholic liver disease

A nurse is teaching a young mother about administering pyrantel to her 5-year-old child. What will the nurse emphasize about how the agent is given?

As a single dose

A client with roundworms is prescribed albendazole. What assessment should the nurse perform to ensure safe and effective use of this medication?

Assess whether the client is currently taking cimetidine.

A patient has been instructed to take metronidazole for intestinal amebiasis. Which instruction should the nurse give to the patient regarding the drug?

Avoid intake of alcohol.

A male client is traveling to a country where malaria is endemic. The nurse suggests that he visit his health care provider and receive a prescription for what medication?

Chloroquine

How should the nurse adapt the plan of care when caring for an older adult receiving an antiprotozoal agent?

Clients should be monitored more closely for toxic adverse effects.

A client's signs, symptoms, and recent travel history suggest a helminthic infection. What should the nurse do in order to most accurately determine what type of helminth is infecting the client?

Collect a stool sample for ova and parasite.

Which statement best reflects the use of antimalarial agents for treatment of the protozoan?

Combination therapy is used to attack the parasite at various life cycle stages.

The health care provider orders an antiparasitic drug for the client. The drug is prescribed for treatment of local effects in the skin and which other area?

GI tract

A client who is working in an area where malaria is endemic has been taking Malarone one tablet daily for prophylaxis for several months. The client has called the clinic to report loss of visual acuity to the nurse. What is the nurse's best action?

Have the client assessed by the provider immediately.

A client with amebiasis is to receive metronidazole. The client also takes warfarin for atrial fibrillation. The nurse would instruct the client to immediately report which symptom?

Increased bleeding

When interviewing a client with a suspected worm infection, what would lead the nurse to suspect trichinosis?

Ingestion of undercooked pork

Chloroquine acts against erythrocytic forms of plasmodial parasites to prevent or treat what condition?

Malaria

All of the following relative to Metronidazole are true EXCEPT:

Metronidazole is ineffective in treating trichomoniasis..... because this is what it is used for !

A child has been brought to the ambulatory clinic with signs and symptoms that suggest a helminth infection. When planning the care of the client and family, the nurse should perform what action first?

Obtain a stool sample for ova and parasites

A client has returned from an overseas vacation and is displaying signs and symptoms of a helminth infection. What is the nurse's priority for care?

Obtaining a stool sample for ova and parasites

A nurse is preparing to administer primaquine therapy to a client. The nurse should anticipate administering the drug by which route?

Oral

Which recommendations should be made to a client being treated for trichomoniasis to prevent re-infection?

Sexual partners should be treated.

A client has been diagnosed with a helminthic infection and has begun treatment with mebendazole. What should the nurse include in client education?

Strict hygiene measures are important in eradicating the infection.

A 43-year-old man is traveling to an area where malaria is endemic and is being treated prophylactically. The nurse will explain which regimens of chloroquine prescribed by the health care provider?

Taking the medication for 2 weeks before the trip and continue for 4 to 6 weeks after the trip

A client has made an appointment at a travel clinic seeking antimalarial prophylaxis. What aspect of the client health is most likely to contraindicate the use of antimalarials?

The client drinks eight to ten alcoholic drinks per day.

A 9-year-old boy was diagnosed with hookworm infection and will be sent home with a prescription for mebendazole. When providing education, the nurse should teach the mother which measures to avoid reinfection following treatment?

The importance of vigilant hygiene for the client and the other members of the family

A client with a tapeworm has been prescribed albendazole. What aspect of this client's health history would cause delayed excretion?

chronic renal failure

The nurse is providing care for a client who has just been diagnosed with a tapeworm. The nurse expects to identify which nursing diagnosis?

imbalanced nutrition: Less than body requirements

A client is prescribed mefloquine for malaria prophylaxis prior to a trip to rural Southeast Asia. When should the nurse instruct the client to begin taking the prescribed mefloquine?

one week prior to travelling

Several children from a day care have developed pinworms, and the nurse has been brought in to consult. The nurse should tell parents to watch for what sign of possible infection?

perianal itching

A public health nurse is educating school nurses about worm infections. The public health nurse should teach the school nurses to expect to encounter what type of worm infection most often?

pinworms