ch 54 Drugs Acting on the Upper Respiratory Tract
The nurse is educating an older adult client diagnosed with rhinosinusitis in an outpatient clinic about the prescribed topical oxymetazoline. The client has a history of hypertension and coronary artery disease. Which statement made by the client establishes the need for further clarification?
"I can take over-the-counter pseudoephedrine, too."
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."
After teaching a client who is receiving an antitussive about the drug, which statement indicates the need for additional teaching?
"I'll keep the room warm and toasty."
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, 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
Which agent would the nurse instruct a client to use orally?
Pseudoephedrine
A 62-year-old client has been prescribed an antihistamine to alleviate vasomotor rhinitis. The client reports gastric irritation after taking the tablet. Which instructions should the nurse provide to help alleviate the client's condition?
Take the tablet with food
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
A male client presents to the health care provider's office with reports of inability to breathe freely. When the nurse reviews his use of over-the-counter medications, it is discovered that the client routinely uses nasal spray three times a day for 1 year. The nurse knows that what may be causing this client's continuous nasal congestion?
rebound nasal swelling
Mucolytics are often used for patients with cystic fibrosis, COPD, or tuberculosis.
true
A client exhibiting signs and symptoms of the common cold asks the nurse if taking an antihistamine would be helpful. What is the nurse's best response?
Antihistamines are not recommended for treating a cold.
A client is experiencing allergy symptoms after being exposed to environmental dust. This reaction involves the action of histamine, which is released by what cells?
Basophils
The nurse is providing education to a client diagnosed with the common cold. What measure should the nurse recommend implementing to help liquefy cold-related secretions?
increase fluid intake
A client has purchased an over-the-counter (OTC) cold remedy that advertises a "nondrowsy" formulation. The nurse explains to the client that such a medication likely contains what classification of drug?
a nasal decongestant Explanation: "Nondrowsy" or "daytime" cold formulas typically contain a nasal decongestant but not an antihistamine. Such medications would contain neither a narcotic nor a benzodiazepine.
A client is admitted after overdose with acetaminophen. What medication would the nurse expect to be administered?
acetylcysteine (Mucomyst)
A nurse is caring for a patient who has been prescribed a nasal decongestant. Which of the following factors should the nurse assess before administering the drug?
blood pressure
The nurse is caring for a client with cystic fibrosis who is receiving dornase alfa by nebulizer to help thin secretions. What statement by the client indicates a need for further instruction?
"I'm glad that this medication will address all of my symptoms."
A nurse is preparing a presentation for a local elementary school parent group about over-the-counter cold medications and their use in children. Which would be most appropriate to include?
-Avoidance of use in children under age 2 -Importance of reading the label for ingredients and dosage -Need to follow the directions for how often to give the drug
A nurse caring for a client in the hospital is being discharged today with a prescription for benzonatate (Tessalon Perles) 200 mg one capsule 3 times daily. What would the nurse tell the client about this prescription during discharge counseling?
-Benzonatate can cause GI upset and sedation. -The patient should drink plenty fluids.
A client has self-medicated with an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant nasal spray for several weeks in order to help prevent "getting the common cold." The nurse should educate the client concerning the risk for which result of long-term use of OTC cold remedies?
Chronic nasal congestion Damage to the nasal mucosa
