Pharm Questions
A patient who takes warfarin has been prescribed sulfadiazine. When teaching the patient about this drug, which statement will the nurse include?
"Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, wear protective clothing, and apply a sunscreen to exposed skin."
A patient asks the nurse why a vitamin with folic acid is needed during pregnancy. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
"Folic acid prevents a birth defect called spina bifida."
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate [Rheumatrex]. The nurse will expect to observe therapeutic effects with this drug in which time period?
3 to 6 weeks
Which patient does the nurse identify as most likely to need treatment with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole [Bactrim] for a period of 6 months?
A female patient with recurring acute urinary tract infections
Which patient would most likely need intravenous antibiotic therapy to treat a urinary tract infection?
A patient with pyelonephritis with symptoms of high fever, chills, and severe flank pain
A patient with a history of a severe anaphylactic reaction to penicillin has an order to receive cephalosporin. What should the nurse do?
Contact the healthcare provider for a different antibiotic.
A patient has a serum potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L. It is appropriate for the nurse to take which action?
Administer the ordered sustained-release potassium tablets [K-Dur]. (Bc mild)
A patient has otitis externa (otomycosis) and is prescribed 1% clotrimazole [Lotrimin]. The nurse recognizes that the pathogen being treated is what?
Aspergillus fumigatus
A patient has been prescribed sildenafil [Viagra] for erectile dysfunction. Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
Avoid taking nitroglycerin with this drug.
The nurse identifies which of the following as the most common type of laxative abused by the general public?
Bisacodyl [Dulcolax]
The nurse cares for a patient who receives darbepoetin alfa [Aranesp]. Before administration of this medication, it is most important for the nurse to assess what?
Blood pressure
A patient is taking finasteride [Proscar] for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The nurse should explain that this medication has what effect?
Decreases the size of the prostate gland.
A patient is prescribed amoxicillin and tetracycline to treat peptic ulcer disease. The nurse will instruct the patient that these medications will do what?
Destroy the bacteria in the stomach that are causing ulceration.
The nurse should instruct a patient prescribed sildenafil [Viagra] to avoid taking this medication with what?
Grapefruit juice
A patient receives a dose of epoetin alfa [Epogen] 3 times a week. What laboratory value will the nurse monitor to determine the therapeutic benefit of this medication?
Hemoglobin (incr rbcs)
A patient is prescribed ferrous sulfate and complains of stomach upset after taking the medication. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?
Instruct the patient to take the medication with food or milk.
The nurse identifies which of the following laxatives as having the added response of ridding the body of ammonia?
Lactulose
A patient with acute gouty arthritis requests information on the preferred drug to take to treat a painful flare-up. The nurse should recommend which medication?
Naproxen bc NSAID
A patient is experiencing chemotherapy-induced nausea. Which prescribed medication would be most effective for this patient?
Ondansetron [Zofran]
A patient is prescribed vancomycin orally for antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis. The nurse will monitor the patient for what?
Ototoxicity (red man is for IV admin)
A patient who has been taking a long-acting morphine to treat severe pain for a few months complains of constipation. The nurse anticipates which of the following will be prescribed for the patient?
Senna [Senokot]
A patient has a serum potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L and an arterial pH of 7.22. Which medication, if ordered by the physician, should the nurse question?
Spironolactone [Aldactone] by mouth (Potassium-sparing diuretic, Aldosterone gets rid of of potassium and this stops it)
A patient is prescribed allopurinol for chronic tophaceous gout. The patient develops a rash. What is the priority intervention by the nurse?
Stop the medication and assess the patient for liver and kidney failure.
Which medication is used to promote gastric ulcer healing by providing a protective barrier?
Sucralfate
Which statement about enteracept [Enbrel] does the nurse identify as true?
The patient should stop taking the drug if redness appears at the injection site. (most common) This drug can cause liver injury. (most concerning)
A patient is receiving Vancomycin therapy. What lab value is most concerning for the nurse prior to giving the next dose (you give it at the peak)? [Trough level target = 5-15 mcg/mL] [Peak level target = 20-40mcg/mL]
Trough = 21 mcg/mL (its too high, risk for toxicity)
The nurse is reviewing laboratory values from a patient who has been prescribed gentamicin. To prevent ototoxicity, it is most important for the nurse to monitor which value(s)?
Trough drug levels of gentamicin
The nurse is caring for a patient receiving intravenous gentamicin for a severe bacterial infection. Which assessment finding by the nurse indicates the patient is experiencing an adverse effect of gentamycin therapy?
Urinary frequency - bc nephrotoxicity is number one adverse effect
Before administering erythromycin to a patient for an upper respiratory tract infection, it is most important for the nurse to determine if the patient is also prescribed which drug? (side effect: prolongation of QT interval)
Verapamil [Calan] (CCB - decr. Contractility)
A patient who was taking sulfonamides develops Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Upon assessment, the nurse expects to find what?
Widespread skin lesions
