Chapter 06: Antivirals and Antiretrovirals
Visovsky: Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology, 9 th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which statement about antiviral drugs is true?
a. Antiviral drugs kill viruses by altering viral DNA.
b. Antiviral drugs work by stopping viral replication.
c. Antiviral drugs alter the host immune system.
d. Antiviral drugs are considered virucidal.
ANS: B
Antiviral drugs must enter the infected cell and act at the site of infection to be
effective. Antivirals do not kill the virus but rather stop viral reproduction. This
action means that all antivirals are only virustatic, not virucidal.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowing REF: p.94
2. Which antiviral drug is only given by oral inhalation?
a. Acyclovir (Zovirax)
b. Zanamivir (Relenza)
c. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
d. Amantadine (Symmetrel)
ANS: B
Zanamivir is given only by oral inhalation. Acyclovir is given intravenously or as an
orally swallowed drug. Oseltamivir and amantadine are swallowed orally.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowing REF: p.95
3. Which antiviral drug is most likely to have more severe central nervous system
side effects, including worsening of glaucoma?
a. Acyclovir
b. Amantadine
c. Valacyclovir
d. Zanamivir
ANS: B
Amantadine crosses the blood-brain barrier and concentrates in the brain
tissues. None of the other drugs concentrate in brain tissues.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowing REF: p.95
4. A patient presents to the clinic with flu symptoms that began 3 days ago. The patient is
wondering why the flu cannot be treated with an antiviral. What is your best response?
a. “Antiviral drugs are not useful incombating influenza.”
b. “Antiviral drugs are only used for prevention of influenza.”
c. “Antiviral drugs can only be given to people who are immunocompromised.”
d. “Antiviral drugs work best when given within 48 hours of the start of symptoms.”
This study source was downloaded by 100000817936687 from CourseHero.com on 04-13-2022 07:46:36 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/71142988/Chapter6Pharmacologydocx/
, ANS: D
All the antiviral drugs for influenza are used to either prevent an infection in a
patient who has been exposed to the virus or to reduce the symptoms of an
existing influenza infection. They work best when given after exposure and before
symptoms start or within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.94
5. A patient who is a symptomatic comes into the clinic complaining of being exposed to
a coworker who has the flu. What drug would be most appropriate for this patient?
a. Flumadine (rimantadine)
b. Valtrex (valacyclovir)
c. Crixivan (indinavir)
d. Ziagen (abacavir)
ANS: A
Flumadine (rimantadine) is used for prophylaxis and treatment of illness caused
by various strains of influenza virus.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.95
6. Which drug is the only approved treatment for RSV?
a. Ribavirin (Virazole)
b. Cidofovir (Vistide)
c. Foscarnet (Foscavir)
d. Lamivudine (Epivir)
ANS: A
The only drug approved for RSV treatment is ribavirin (Virazole).
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowing REF: p.96
7. A 2-year-old patient with respiratory syncytial virus is prescribed aerosolized
ribavirin (Virazole). Which visitor should you ensure is not in the patient’s room
during the aerosol treatments?
a. 16-year-old brother
b. 81-year-old grandmother
c. 32-year-old pregnant mother
d. 36-year-old father who has diabetes
ANS: C
A major adverse effect of ribavirin is that it is a teratogen, an agent that has a very
high likelihood of increasing the risks for birth defects and fetal damage. It should
not be given to pregnant or breast-feeding women, and it should not be handled or
inhaled by anyone who is pregnant.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.96
8. The oral antiviral drug acyclovir (Zovirax) has been ordered for a patient with
genital herpes. What is your best action before giving this drug?
This study source was downloaded by 100000817936687 from CourseHero.com on 04-13-2022 07:46:36 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/71142988/Chapter6Pharmacologydocx/
Visovsky: Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology, 9 th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which statement about antiviral drugs is true?
a. Antiviral drugs kill viruses by altering viral DNA.
b. Antiviral drugs work by stopping viral replication.
c. Antiviral drugs alter the host immune system.
d. Antiviral drugs are considered virucidal.
ANS: B
Antiviral drugs must enter the infected cell and act at the site of infection to be
effective. Antivirals do not kill the virus but rather stop viral reproduction. This
action means that all antivirals are only virustatic, not virucidal.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowing REF: p.94
2. Which antiviral drug is only given by oral inhalation?
a. Acyclovir (Zovirax)
b. Zanamivir (Relenza)
c. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
d. Amantadine (Symmetrel)
ANS: B
Zanamivir is given only by oral inhalation. Acyclovir is given intravenously or as an
orally swallowed drug. Oseltamivir and amantadine are swallowed orally.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowing REF: p.95
3. Which antiviral drug is most likely to have more severe central nervous system
side effects, including worsening of glaucoma?
a. Acyclovir
b. Amantadine
c. Valacyclovir
d. Zanamivir
ANS: B
Amantadine crosses the blood-brain barrier and concentrates in the brain
tissues. None of the other drugs concentrate in brain tissues.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowing REF: p.95
4. A patient presents to the clinic with flu symptoms that began 3 days ago. The patient is
wondering why the flu cannot be treated with an antiviral. What is your best response?
a. “Antiviral drugs are not useful incombating influenza.”
b. “Antiviral drugs are only used for prevention of influenza.”
c. “Antiviral drugs can only be given to people who are immunocompromised.”
d. “Antiviral drugs work best when given within 48 hours of the start of symptoms.”
This study source was downloaded by 100000817936687 from CourseHero.com on 04-13-2022 07:46:36 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/71142988/Chapter6Pharmacologydocx/
, ANS: D
All the antiviral drugs for influenza are used to either prevent an infection in a
patient who has been exposed to the virus or to reduce the symptoms of an
existing influenza infection. They work best when given after exposure and before
symptoms start or within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.94
5. A patient who is a symptomatic comes into the clinic complaining of being exposed to
a coworker who has the flu. What drug would be most appropriate for this patient?
a. Flumadine (rimantadine)
b. Valtrex (valacyclovir)
c. Crixivan (indinavir)
d. Ziagen (abacavir)
ANS: A
Flumadine (rimantadine) is used for prophylaxis and treatment of illness caused
by various strains of influenza virus.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.95
6. Which drug is the only approved treatment for RSV?
a. Ribavirin (Virazole)
b. Cidofovir (Vistide)
c. Foscarnet (Foscavir)
d. Lamivudine (Epivir)
ANS: A
The only drug approved for RSV treatment is ribavirin (Virazole).
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowing REF: p.96
7. A 2-year-old patient with respiratory syncytial virus is prescribed aerosolized
ribavirin (Virazole). Which visitor should you ensure is not in the patient’s room
during the aerosol treatments?
a. 16-year-old brother
b. 81-year-old grandmother
c. 32-year-old pregnant mother
d. 36-year-old father who has diabetes
ANS: C
A major adverse effect of ribavirin is that it is a teratogen, an agent that has a very
high likelihood of increasing the risks for birth defects and fetal damage. It should
not be given to pregnant or breast-feeding women, and it should not be handled or
inhaled by anyone who is pregnant.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p.96
8. The oral antiviral drug acyclovir (Zovirax) has been ordered for a patient with
genital herpes. What is your best action before giving this drug?
This study source was downloaded by 100000817936687 from CourseHero.com on 04-13-2022 07:46:36 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/71142988/Chapter6Pharmacologydocx/
