Pharmacology HESI – Flashcards

An emergency department triage nurse is interviewing a female client who has a history of epilepsy with tonic-clonic seizures controlled by phenytoin (Dilantin). Which information is most significant in planning this client's care? A. She has missed 2 menstrual periods B. She has had no dental care for several years C. She ran out of her medication 4 days ago D. She has smoked 3ppd for 10 years

The nurse should instruct a client to avoid which product while taking cardsoprodol (Soma) for muscle spasms? A. Aspirin products B. Antacids C. Alcoholic beverages D. Dairy products

A client calls the clinic and states that she forgot to take her oral contraceptives for the past two days. Which instruction is best for the nurse to provide to this client? A. Take 2 pills for 2 days and use an alternate method of contraceptive for 7 days B. Quit the pills for this cycle, use an alternate form of contraception, and resume pills on the 5th day of mensration C. Take one extra pill per day for the rest of this cycle, then resume taking pills as usual next cycle D. Take 4 pills now and use an alternate method of contraception for the rest of this cycle.

A 48 y/o client is experiencing a severe anaphylactic reaction to an injection of contrast media. What pharmacologic agent is of greatest use in this situation? A. Dopamine B. Loratadine C. Nitroprusside D. Epinephrine

A resident of long-term care facility is taking lithium carbonate (Eskalith) to treat bipolar disorder. Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client's caregivers. A. Offer the morning dose of the medicine before breakfast B. Have the client chew the pill if it is difficult to swallow C. Encourage high energy fluid intake by providing sports drinks/sodas D. Report symptoms of hypothyroidism such as fatigue and constipation

A 38 y/o gravida 2 para 2 is diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis 9 mon. postpartum. A prescription is written for metronidazole (Flagyl). Which information is most important for the nurse to obtain from the client before initiating treatment? A. Sexual hx B. Use of oral contraceptives C. Method of infant feeding D. Possibility of pregnancy

A client with Paget's disease is started on calcitonin (Clacimar) 500mcg subcut daily. During the initial treatment what is the priority nursing action? A. Assess the injection site for inflammation B. Evaluate the client's level of pain C. Monitor the client's alkaline phosphate levels D. Observe the client for signs of hypersensitivity.

When assessing a client prior to the administration of digoxim (Lanoxin), which data is most important for the nurse to consider? A. Presence of a grade 2 murmur. B. Nailbed capillary refill of 5 seconds. C. Irregular apical pulse with a rate of 87. D. Bilateral lower extremity dependent rubor

The HCP prescribes pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon) tablets for a client with myasthenia gravis. What instruction should the nurse provide this client? A. Increase activity in the afternoon when the medication is most effective. B. Take the medication 30-45 minutes before eating C. Use a PRN dose for increasing muscular weakness or fasciculations D. Give the client a dietary guide that describes low-protein foods.

A client is admittedd for afib, the HCP prescribes disopyramide (Norpace). After explaining the action of this antidysrhythmic agent, which complaint should the nurse instruct the client to report? A. Joint pain. B. Dizziness or muscular weakness. C. Daily weight gain of 2 pounds D. Dry mouth

The nurse receives a unit of blood from the blood bank for a post-op client who is currently in the x-ray department. What action should the nurse implement? A. Return the blood to the blood bank for refrigeration within 30 minutes. B. Hang the blood transfusion as soon as the client returns to the unit. C. Store the blood bag in the nursing unit's refrigerator until the client returns. D. Take the unit of blood to the x-ray dept. to initiate the transfusion.

What action should the nurse implement to provide analgesic titration for a client in pain? A. Teach the client to increase the time range between doses of pain medication B. Monitor the effects of continuous IV infusion of narcotic analgesics C. Plan c the client how to use a specific total dose of analgesic over a 24-hour period D. Determine the optimal analgesic dosage required that causes the least side effects

What pathophysiological action supports the expected outcome for a client with chronic cancer pain who is treated with imipramine (Tofranil), a tricyclic antidepressant? A. Increases pain threshold by stimulating opiate receptors in the CNS to release of endogenous enkephalins. B. Decreases perception of pain by blocking opiate receptors in the brain and descending inhibitory nerves C. Decreases transmission of pain impulses by altering serontonin and norepinephrine activity at nerve synapses. D. Increases pain tolerance through relief of depression by increasing the amounts of norepinephrine in the brain.

A client receives a new prescription for pentazocine (Talwin), a mixed opioid agonist-antagonist, after an opioid agonist is discontinued. What is the advantage for the client when the new prescription is implemented? A. Tolerance does not occur B. Less agitation is experienced C. The analgesic ceiling is higher D. Respiratory depression is less

A client is receiving fentanyl via an epidural infusion. Which side effect should the nurse anticipate in the first 24h of epidural analgesia? A. Headache B. Agitation C. Urinary retention D. Abdominal cramping and diarrhea

A male client who is in the terminal stage of cancer is cared for at home by his family and receives a prescription for morphine at a rate to control intractable pain. When the hospice nurse visits, the client awakens, moans in severe pain, and asks for an increase in the morphine dosage. After determining the client's respirations are 10/min, what is the best action for the nurse to implement? A. Titrate the morphine dose upward until the client has adequate pain relief. B. Suggest to the family that they can also give the client ibuprofen, a non-narcotic analgesic. C. Hold additional morphine until the client's RR are atleast 16/min D. Inform the client that an increased dose of morphine increases the side effects without additional pain control

The mother of a newborn asks the nurse why her infant needs the vitamin K injection. What information should the nurse provide? A. Bacteria that synthesize vit. K are not present in the newborn's intestinal tract. B. Oral vit. K impedes the synthesis of clotting factors in the liver C. The maternal diet is often deficient in vit. K, so the infant is deficient in the vitamine D. The synthesis of vitamin K is inadequate for 3-4 months in the newborn

A client at 30 weeks gestation is in preterm labor. The healthcare provider prescribes two 12mg doses of betamethasone (Celestone) IM Q12H. The client asks why she is receiving the Celestone. What information should the nurse use to explain the action of the medication? A. Suppresses uterine contractions B. Stimulates fetal surfactant production C. Reduces maternal and fetal tachycardia associated with terbutaline (Brethine) administration. D. Maintains adequate maternal respiratory effort and ventilation c magnesium administration

A client c depression receives a prescription for amitriptyline (Elavil). Which instruction should the nurse include in the client's teaching? A. Do not ingest foods with tyramine B. Avoid the consumption of alcohol C. Obtain daily BP readings D. Take a glass of orange juice

The HCP has prescribed digoxin for a client who has been taking furosemide (Lasix) for 6 months. What laboratory serum levels should the nurse review before administering the digoxin? A. Calcium B. Magnesium C. Potassium D. Furosemide