Nokea
An overwhelmed nursing student asks the instructor whether there are any tips that will make learning pharmacology easier. The instructor gives an example of the anticoagulant heparin. The instructor indicates that knowing heparin and comparing other drugs to it will facilitate learning the many anticoagulants. Which approach is the instructor using?
- A. Mechanism of action approach
- B. Generic name approach
- C. Trade name approach
- D. Prototype drug approach
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The prototype approach uses a representative drug like heparin to learn a class (anticoagulants), comparing others to its traits-mechanism, effects, side effects-simplifying study. Mechanism of action is narrower. Generic or trade names focus on nomenclature, not learning strategy. Prototype leverages a familiar example, a proven method for mastering drug groups.
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An adolescent client will receive Depo-Provera as a method of birth control. She asks the nurse how long the drug will be effective. What is the best response by the nurse?
- A. 2 months
- B. 6 months
- C. 1 year
- D. 3 months
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Depo-Provera, a progestin injection, provides contraception by inhibiting ovulation for 3 months , requiring re-administration every 12 weeks. This duration is based on its pharmacokinetic profile, ensuring reliable hormone levels. Two months underestimates, risking unprotected gaps. Six months or 1 year overestimate, reducing efficacy mid-cycle. The nurse's accurate response (D) educates the client on timing, ensuring adherence and preventing unintended pregnancy, aligning with clinical standards for injectable contraceptives.
Enteric coated acetylsalicylic acid has been prescribed for a patient to treat chronic arthritis. The patient calls the clinic nurse because of gagging and difficulty swallowing the tablets. What response would the nurse give to the patient?
- A. Crush the tablets and mix with juice or food'
- B. I’ll notify the healthcare provider for a medication change'
- C. Open the tablet and mix the contents with food'
- D. Swallow the tablets with large amounts of water or milk'
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Enteric-coated tablets should not be crushed or opened, as this disrupts their protective coating and can cause gastric irritation. The patient should be instructed to swallow the tablets whole with plenty of water or milk. Crushing (A) or opening the tablets (C) is inappropriate. Notifying the healthcare provider (B) may be necessary if the patient cannot tolerate the medication.
The specificity of the adrenergic blocking agents allows the clinician to select a drug to do what?
- A. Have the desired effect
- B. Multiply undesired effects
- C. Increase specificity with higher serum blood levels
- D. Improving concentration in the body
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: This specificity allows the clinician to select a drug that will have the desired therapeutic effects without the undesired effects that occur when the entire sympathetic nervous system is blocked. In general, however, the specificity of adrenergic blocking agents depends on the concentration of drug in the body. Most specificity is lost with higher serum drug levels. The nurse should understand the importance of drug specificity to ensure safe and effective administration.
Acyclovir has been ordered for a patient with genital herpes. Which nursing interventions are appropriate for this patient? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Monitor the patient’s blood urea nitrogen and creatinine.
- B. Monitor the patient’s blood pressure for hypertension.
- C. Administer intravenous acyclovir over 30 minutes.
- D. Advise maintenance of adequate fluid intake.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Acyclovir can cause nephrotoxicity, so monitoring blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels is essential. Hypertension is not a common side effect of acyclovir. Intravenous acyclovir should be administered over at least 1 hour to prevent renal toxicity. Adequate fluid intake helps prevent crystalluria and nephrotoxicity.
Depression that occurs during cold winter months would be classified as
- A. baby blues
- B. bipolar disorder
- C. seasonal affective disorder
- D. obsessive-compulsive disorder
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) ties depression to winter-less light, per psychiatry-unlike baby blues (postpartum), bipolar (cycles), or OCD (obsessions). SAD's seasonal link defines it, matching symptoms.