Question 1

The nurse is counseling a patient who wants to start using Nicorette (nicotine chewing gum). Which of the following statements indicates that teaching has been effective? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  "Since I used to smoke about 12 cigarettes a day, I will use the 2 mg gum." 
B)  "I should not chew more than five pieces per day." 
C)  "I should start out chewing one piece of gum every 1 or 2 hr." 
D)  "I will gradually decrease the amount of gum I chew over about 10 weeks." 
E)  "The gum comes in a number of flavors so I can have variety."
F) "There are no side effects to the gum, so I can use more if I need it."

Question 2

Which of the following would cause the nurse to suspect that a patient taking Lexapro (escitalopram) may be developing serotonin syndrome? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  Pulse = 122 bpm 
B)  Patient reports seeing blue spiders on the wall. 
C)  Patient's blood glucose = 93 g/dL. 
D)  Patient complains of nausea and diarrhea. 
E)  White blood cell count = 5,500 cell/mm3.
F) Urinary output = 600 mL in 8 hr.

Question 3

The nurse is providing care for a patient who has new orders to start Pacerone (amiodarone) po 400 mg BID. Which of the following orders should the nurse anticipate? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  Monitor vital signs every 4 hr. 
B)  Telemetry monitoring. 
C)  Liver function tests every morning for the next 3 days. 
D)  Initiate seizure precautions. 
E)  Notify physician of visual changes.
F) Do not serve grapefruit juice.

Question 4

The nurse providing therapy with Simponi (golimumab) recognizes the patient must be meticulously screened for which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  A history of active or latent tuberculosis 
B)  The presence of orthostatic hypotension 
C)  Risk factors associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome 
D)  A history of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus

Question 5

The nurse is caring for a pediatric patient who needs to have an IV line started. The nurse plans to provide EMLA cream (lidocaine/prilocaine) to the patient's arm. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

A)  Rub the cream onto a 2-inch surface of the arm 15 min prior to the procedure. 
B)  Rub the cream onto a 6-inch surface of the arm 30-45 min prior to the procedure. 
C)  Place a thick layer of cream under an occlusive dressing on a 2-inch site 1 hr prior to the procedure. 
D)  Place a thin layer of cream under an occlusive dressing on a 6-inch site 20 min prior to the procedure.

Question 6

Match the instructions for using an inhaler in the following section with the number they should occur in.
-Step 1

Accepted Answer

A) Press down on the inhaler to release medication. 
B) Hold your breath for 10 sec. 
C) Shake the inhaler. 
D) Tilt your head back and breathe out slowly. 
E) Breathe in slowly through the mouth.
F)Connect the inhaler to a spacer/chamber.

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient who is to start taking Carbolith (lithium) 300 mg three times daily. Which of the following statements should be included in the patient teaching? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  "You will need to have blood levels checked frequently for the first few months of treatment." 
B)  "You should report any muscle twitches or change in coordination since those could be symptoms of too much medication in your system." 
C)  "This medication will help level out your mood." 
D)  "Please make sure you limit your fluid intake to three glasses of liquid per day." 
E)  "Avoid dairy products while you are taking this medication."
F) "You must have a baseline electromyelogram before you start this medication."

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a patient on the operative day for a laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy. The patient complains of pain and the nurse notes orders for ketorolac) 30 mg intravenously every 6 hr as needed for pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mix the ketorolac with 10 mL sterile normal saline prior to administration. 
B)  Check the patient's magnesium level prior to administration. 
C)  Draw up the medication and administer in the nearest IV port over 15 seconds. 
D)  Check to determine if the patient has an allergy to morphine.

Question 9

While caring for a patient in hospice who is actively dying, the nurse notes moderate respiratory distress, copious oral secretion, and a frequent moist cough. Which of the following prn medications would most promote comfort for the patient?

Accepted Answer

A)  Morphine (morphine sulfate) 2 mg IV bolus 
B)  Atro-Pen (atropine) 0.4 mg IV bolus 
C)  Ativan (lorazepam) 0.5 mg IV bolus 
D)  Benadryl (diphenhydramine) 25 mg IV bolus

Question 10

The home-care nurse is preparing to see a patient being treated for diabetic foot ulcerations with Regranex (becaplermin). Which of the following instructions will the nurse include in the patient teaching?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Apply the wound gel three times daily to promote healing." 
B)  "Store the gel in the refrigerator." 
C)  "Complete healing is expected within 3 days." 
D)  "After applying the wound gel, cover with a transparent adhesive dressing."

Question 11

The nurse is providing care for a patient who received surgical intervention for mitral valve prolapse. The patient is taking Persantine (dipyridamole) 75 mg po TID. The nurse recognizes the medication is effective by which of the following patient outcomes?

Accepted Answer

A)  Patient reports chest pain is less after receiving the medication. 
B)  Patient remains free from deep vein thrombosis throughout hospital stay. 
C)  Patient's heart rhythm is regular without ectopic beats for 48 hr postprocedure. 
D)  Patient's lung sounds remain clear without evidence of fluid overload throughout hospital stay.

Question 12

The nurse receives a call from a patient who recently began taking Zyrtec (cetirizine) 5 mg daily. The patient reports that her mouth frequently feels dry. Which of the following responses by the nurse is best?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Dry mouth is a common side effect of Zyrtec. Rinse your mouth frequently, and try using sugarless chewing gum or candy for relief." 
B)  "You may be taking too strong of a dose. You should take half a pill each day to reduce the risk of side effects." 
C)  "You might be having an allergic reaction to the medication. Are you able to come to the doctor's office today?" 
D)  "It is important that you take the medication with a full meal and drink at least 12 glasses of water each day."

Question 13

The nurse is providing care for a 12-year-old child whose order reads, "Ciprofloxin 15 mg/kg po q 12 hr." The child weighs 88 pounds (40 kg). What dose of Ciprofloxin should be provided?

Accepted Answer

A)  500 mg tablet every 12 hr 
B)  500 mg tablet and a 100 mg tablet every 12 hr 
C)  750 mg tablet every 12 hr 
D)  Two 500 mg tablets every 12 hr

Question 14

When administering bisacodyl, which of the following implications should the nurse consider? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  Increase fluid intake up to 2,000 mL/day. 
B)  Administer with food. 
C)  Dilute with normal saline prior to administration. 
D)  Assess fluid and electrolyte status. 
E)  If giving rectally, encourage retention of enema for 15-30 min.

Question 15

A 37-year-old male was brought to the emergency room in thyroid crisis. Which medication will likely be ordered?

Accepted Answer

A)  Potassium chloride 
B)  Potassium gluconate 
C)  Potassium iodide 
D)  Potassium

Question 16

While providing care for patients on a neuroscience unit, which of the following medications should the nurse provide first?

Accepted Answer

A)  Dantrium (dantrolene) 1 mg/kg IV to a patient with malignant hyperthermia 
B)  Norpramin (desipramine) 100 mg orally to a patient admitted with syncope 
C)  Enablex (darifenacin) 15 mg orally to a patient admitted for cerebrovascular accident 
D)  Cymbalta (duloxetine) 20 mg to a patient with diabetes

Question 17

A nurse assisting in the care of an elderly patient who received PO Librium (chlordiazepoxide) in the treatment of acute alcohol intoxication would include which of the following in the plan of care? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  Place patient in leather restraints. 
B)  Institute seizure precautions. 
C)  Assess for tremors. 
D)  Administer higher doses in morning 
E)  Institute fall precautions.
F) Administer after meals or with milk

Question 18

The nurse would be most concerned about ototoxicity for which of the following patients?

Accepted Answer

A)  A 51-year-old patient receiving ciprofloxacin 
B)  A 29-year-old patient receiving gentamycin 
C)  A 37-year-old patient receiving cefazolin 
D)  A 70-year-old patient receiving clindamycin

Question 19

A nurse working in an outpatient psychiatric clinic is assessing a 39-year-old patient with a history of schizophrenia who started taking Haldol (haloperidol) 3 mg po TID last week. Which of the following should be reported to the physician immediately?

Accepted Answer

A)  The patient is smacking his lips and chewing while the nurse is asking questions. 
B)  The patient says, "I heard the angels talking again last night." 
C)  The patient reports he is staying at a homeless shelter downtown. 
D)  The patient tells the nurse he forgot to bring in his pills but that he needs more.

Question 20

The nurse is caring for a patient who reports long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Which of the following medications would the nurse also expect as part of the patient's treatment plan?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cytotec (misoprostol) 
B)  Lopressor (metoprolol) 
C)  Flagyl (metronidazole) 
D)  Remeron (mirtazapine)

Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses Test 1

The nurse is counseling a patient who wants to start using Nicorette (nicotine chewing gum) . Which of the following statements indicates that teaching has been effective? Select all that apply.