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Chapter 24: Upper Respiratory Disorder Drugs

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Chapter 24: Upper Respiratory Disorder Drugs

10 problems · 0 figures

24-1 §24.RQ source ↗

A client is asking what medication would be best for relief of their allergies. Upon further assessment, the nurse learns that the client is a construction worker. What should the nurse recommend?
  1. a.
    Diphenhydramine
  2. b.
    Cetirizine
  3. c.
    Brompheniramine
  4. d.
    Acetylcysteine

Answer

B. Cetirizine
This is a second-generation antihistamine that does not cause drowsiness. Clients who are driving or operating machinery can safely take this medication.

24-2 §24.RQ source ↗

A client taking guaifenesin informs the nurse that the medication is not helping with their cough. What further information should the nurse obtain from the client?
  1. a.
    “Is your cough productive or nonproductive?”
  2. b.
    “What time of day do you take the drug?”
  3. c.
    “Have you increased the dose?”
  4. d.
    “Why don’t you take another drug?”

Answer

A. “Is your cough productive or nonproductive?”
Guaifenesin is indicated for nonproductive coughs. The nurse should reassess the client to determine if the cough is productive and an alternative medication should be considered.

24-3 §24.RQ source ↗

Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic used to help clear respiratory secretions from the airways. For what other purpose can it be used?
  1. a.
    Allergic reactions
  2. b.
    Pain management
  3. c.
    Acetaminophen toxicity
  4. d.
    Opioid overdose

Answer

C. Acetaminophen toxicity
Acetylcysteine is also indicated for clients suffering from acetaminophen toxicity.

24-4 §24.RQ source ↗

What statement by the client indicates an understanding of the education provided for oxymetazoline?
  1. a.
    “I should use the spray every day even if my nose is not congested.”
  2. b.
    “The drug may take weeks to take full effect.”
  3. c.
    “I should not use the drug for more than 3 days.”
  4. d.
    “The drug may produce many systemic side effects.”

Answer

C. “I should not use the drug for more than 3 days.”
Oxymetazoline should not be used for more than 3 days because of the chance of rebound congestion.

24-5 §24.RQ source ↗

Clients taking opioid antitussives should be monitored closely for what adverse effect?
  1. a.
    Increased heart rate
  2. b.
    Insomnia
  3. c.
    Diarrhea
  4. d.
    Respiratory depression

Answer

D. Respiratory depression
Opioid antitussives inhibit coughing by exerting their effects on the central nervous system. This increases the client’s risk of respiratory depression.

24-6 §24.RQ source ↗

The nurse should educate clients taking dextromethorphan to avoid what?
  1. a.
    Grapefruit juice
  2. b.
    Orange juice
  3. c.
    Tomatoes
  4. d.
    Caffeine

Answer

A. Grapefruit juice
Grapefruit juice should be avoided when taking dextromethorphan because it can increase its action.

24-7 §24.RQ source ↗

Which statement best describes the action of nasal decongestants?
  1. a.
    Nasal decongestants promote mucus production, leading to easier clearance of nasal passages.
  2. b.
    Nasal decongestants inhibit histamine release, reducing nasal congestion and inflammation.
  3. c.
    Nasal decongestants exert their effect by constricting blood vessels in the nasal mucosa, relieving congestion.
  4. d.
    Nasal decongestants decrease the production of prostaglandins, which results in decreased nasal discharge.

Answer

C. Nasal decongestants exert their effect by constricting blood vessels in the nasal mucosa, relieving congestion.
Constricting blood vessels in the nose decreases the amount of fluid draining from the blood vessels into the nasal passage.

24-8 §24.RQ source ↗

Which of the following statements correctly describes the mechanism of action of loratadine?
  1. a.
    Loratadine dilates blood vessels in the nasal passages.
  2. b.
    Loratadine is a mucolytic.
  3. c.
    Loratadine is an H1 receptor antagonist.
  4. d.
    Loratadine is a xanthine.

Answer

C. Loratadine is an H1 receptor antagonist.
It works by blocking histamine responses at H1 receptors.

24-9 §24.RQ source ↗

The health care provider orders diphenhydramine 50 mg intramuscularly (IM) for a client with an allergic reaction. The vial contains 25 mg/mL. How many milliliters (mL) should the nurse administer?
  1. a.
    0.5 mL
  2. b.
    1.5 mL
  3. c.
    2 mL
  4. d.
    2.5 mL

Answer

C. 2 mL
50 m g x m L (desired dose) = 25 m g 1 m L (supply on hand)
25 x = 50 × 1 x = 50 25 x = 2 m L p e r d o s e .

24-10 §24.RQ source ↗

A client is prescribed loratadine 10 mg orally once daily for seasonal allergies. The available tablets are 5 mg each. How many tablets should the client take per dose?
  1. a.
    1 tablet
  2. b.
    2 tablets
  3. c.
    3 tablets
  4. d.
    4 tablets

Answer

B. 2 tablets
10 m g x t a b l e t s (desired dose) = 5 m g 1 t a b l e t (supply on hand)
5 x = 10 × 1 x = 10 5 x = 2 t a b l e t s p e r d o s e .

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Problems and answers are adapted from Pharmacology for Nurses by Tina Barbour-Taylor, Leah Mueller (Sabato), Donna Paris and Dorie Weaver, OpenStax, and are used under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/pharmacology/pages/1-introduction. Illustrations: Copyright Rice University, OpenStax, under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license. This adaptation is released under the same licence, is non-commercial, and is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by OpenStax or Rice University.