Nokea
A patient who has a helminthic infection has a prescription for pyrantel. Which is one of the common adverse effects that the patient may experience while on this therapy?
- A. Insomnia
- B. Seizures
- C. Diarrhea
- D. Dark discoloration of the urine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Diarrhea and abdominal pain are some of the possible gastrointestinal effects of pyrantel. The other options are incorrect.
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A patient is experiencing the exoerythrocytic phase of malaria. The nurse expects which drug to be used for this patient?
- A. Quinine
- B. Chloroquine
- C. Mefloquine
- D. Primaquine
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Primaquine is one of the few antimalarial drugs that can destroy the malarial parasites while they are in their exoerythrocytic phase. The other drugs are effective during the erythrocytic, or blood, phase.
A patient who is being treated for malaria has started therapy with quinine and tetracycline. He asks the nurse why he is on an antibiotic when malaria is caused by a parasite. Which response by the nurse is correct?
- A. The tetracycline prevents reinfection by the malarial parasite.
- B. The antibiotic is combined with quinine to reduce the side effects of the quinine.
- C. An antibacterial drug prevents the occurrence of superinfection during antimalarial therapy.
- D. The two drugs are more effective against malaria when given together.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The combination of quinine and tetracycline takes advantage of their synergistic protozoacidal effects. The other responses are incorrect.
A patient with an intestinal infection that is positive for the Giardia lamblia organism will be taking an antiprotozoal drug. The nurse will include which information in the teaching plan for this patient?
- A. The urine may become dilute and pale during therapy.
- B. Taking the medications with food reduces gastrointestinal upset.
- C. The medications should be taken on an empty stomach.
- D. The drugs may be discontinued once the diarrhea subsides.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Taking these drugs with food reduces gastrointestinal upset. Antiprotozoal drugs may cause the urine to turn dark. These drugs should be administered for the prescribed length of time to ensure complete eradication of the infection.
A patient is being evaluated for a possible helminthic infection. The nurse knows that which statement about anthelmintic therapy is true?
- A. The drugs may cause severe drowsiness
- B. Anthelmintics are very specific in their actions.
- C. Anthelmintics are effective against broad classes of infestations.
- D. The drugs are used to treat protozoal infections such as intestinal amebiasis.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anthelmintics are very specific in their actions, and it is important to identify the cause of the infestation before beginning treatment. They are not used to treat protozoal infections, and they do not cause severe drowsiness.
A patient has an infestation with flukes (trematodes). The nurse anticipates the use of which drug to treat this infestation?
- A. Praziquantel
- B. Pyrantel
- C. Metronidazole
- D. Ivermectin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Praziquantel is an anthelmintic that is used to kill flukes (trematodes). Metronidazole is used to treat protozoal infections. The other drugs listed are used for other helminthic infestations.