Nokea
A 73-year-old male patient is being discharged home today. The discharge order reads: Take 10 mL of guaifenesin (Robitussin) PO q4h. This over-the-counter pharmaceutical comes in bottles with plastic measuring caps. How much should the nurse teach the patient to take at home?
- A. 1/2 tsp
- B. 1 tsp
- C. 2 tsp
- D. 1 tbsp
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 10 mL equals 2 teaspoons (5 mL = 1 tsp), so the patient should take 2 tsp per dose.
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Which statement is not correct regarding acarbose:
- A. Is for internal use
- B. Inhibiting alfa glucosidase
- C. Inhibits carbohydrates absorbtion in the gut
- D. Is effective for diabetes mellitus type I
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Acarbose is primarily effective for type 2 diabetes by delaying carbohydrate absorption, not type 1, which relies on insulin deficiency.
The nurse receives an order to administer an unfamiliar medication and obtains a nurses drug guide published four years earlier. What is the nurses most prudent action?
- A. Find a more recent reference source.
- B. Use the guide if the drug is listed.
- C. Ask another nurse for drug information.
- D. Verify the information in the guide with the pharmacist.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse is responsible for all medications administered and must find a recent reference source to ensure the information learned about the medication is correct and current. Using an older drug guide could be dangerous because it would not contain the most up-to-date information. Asking another nurse or the pharmacist does not guarantee accurate information will be obtained and could harm the patient if the information is wrong.
The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. The nurse notes that the client is taking azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of the medication prescription, the nurse would suspect that the client is being treated for:
- A. Acne
- B. Eczema
- C. Hair loss
- D. Herpes simplex
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate acne. The acid appears to work by suppressing the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and decreasing the proliferation of keratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
An important concept taught by the nurse when providing medication teaching is the need to provide a complete list of medications taken to health care providers to avoid what?
- A. Spending large amounts of money on medications
- B. Allergic reactions to medications
- C. Drug-drug interactions
- D. Critical concentrations of medications in the body
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: It is important that all health care providers have a complete list of the patient's medications to avoid drug-drug interactions caused by one provider ordering a medication, unaware of another medication the patient is taking that could interact with the new prescription. Using the same pharmacist for all prescriptions will also help to prevent this from happening. Informing the provider of all medications taken will not reduce costs of medications, which is best accomplished by requesting generic medications. Allergies should be disclosed to all health care providers as well, but this is not why it is important to provide a complete list of medications taken. Critical concentrations are desirable because that is the amount of drug needed to cause a therapeutic effect, or, in other words, to have the effect the drug is prescribed for.
Sarah, a 42-year-old female, requests a prescription for an anorexiant to treat her obesity. A trial of phentermine is prescribed. Prescribing precautions include:
- A. Understanding that obesity is a contraindication to prescribing phentermine
- B. Anorexiants may cause tolerance and should only be prescribed for 6 months
- C. Patients should be monitored for postural hypotension
- D. Renal function should be monitored closely while on anorexiants
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Phentermine can cause postural hypotension, requiring monitoring.