Respiratory Drugs - NCLEX Questions
And Answers With Rationale, All Correct
A client has a prescription to take guaifenesin (Mucinex). The nurse determines
that the client understands the proper administration of this medication if the
client states that he or she will perform which action?
a) Take an extra dose if fever develops.
b) Take the medication with meals only.
c) Take the tablet with a full glass of water.
d) Decrease the amount of daily fluid intake.
c) Take the tablet with a full glass of water.
Rationale: Guaifenesin (Mucinex) is an expectorant and should be taken with a full
glass of water to decrease the viscosity of secretions. Extra doses should not be taken.
The client should contact the health care provider if the cough lasts longer than 1 week
or is accompanied by fever, rash, sore throat, or persistent headache. Fluids are
needed to decrease the viscosity of secretions. The medication does not have to be
taken with meals.
The nurse is preparing to administer a dose of naloxone hydrochloride
intravenously to a client with an intravenous opioid overdose. Which supportive
medical equipment should the nurse plan to have at the client's bedside if
needed?
a) Nasogastric tube
b) Paracentesis tray
c) Resuscitation equipment
d) Central line insertion tray
c) Resuscitation equipment
Rationale: The nurse administering naloxone for suspected opioid overdose should
have resuscitation equipment readily available to support naloxone therapy if it is
needed. Other adjuncts that may be needed include oxygen, mechanical ventilator, and
vasopressors.
The nurse teaches a client about the effects of diphenhydramine (Benadryl),
which has been prescribed as a cough suppressant. The nurse determines that
the client needs further instruction if the client makes which statement?
a) "I will take the medication on an empty stomach."
b) "I won't drink alcohol while taking this medication."
c) "I will use sugarless gum, candy, or oral rinses to decrease dryness in my
mouth."
d) "I won't do activities that require mental alertness while taking this
medication."
,a) "I will take the medication on an empty stomach."
Rationale: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) has several uses, including as an antihistamine,
antitussive, antidyskinetic, and sedative-hypnotic. Instructions for use include taking
with food or milk to decrease gastrointestinal upset and using oral rinses or sugarless
gum or hard candy to minimize dry mouth. Because the medication causes drowsiness,
the client should avoid use of alcohol or central nervous system depressants, operating
a car, or engaging in other activities requiring mental awareness during use.
A cromolyn sodium inhaler is prescribed for a client with allergic asthma. The
nurse provides instructions regarding the side and adverse effects of this
medication and should tell the client that which undesirable effect is associated
with this medication?
a) Insomnia
b) Constipation
c) Hypotension
d) Bronchospasm
d) Bronchospasm
Rationale: Cromolyn sodium is an inhaled nonsteroidal antiallergy agent and a mast cell
stabilizer. Undesirable effects associated with inhalation therapy of cromolyn sodium
are bronchospasm, cough, nasal congestion, throat irritation, and wheezing. Clients
receiving this medication orally may experience pruritus, nausea, diarrhea, and myalgia.
Terbutaline is prescribed for a client with bronchitis. The nurse understands that
this medication should be used with caution if which medical condition is present
in the client?
a) Osteoarthritis
b) Hypothyroidism
c) Diabetes mellitus
d) Polycystic disease
c) Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Terbutaline is a bronchodilator and is contraindicated in clients with
hypersensitivity to sympathomimetics. It should be used with caution in clients with
impaired cardiac function, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, or a history
of seizures. The medication may increase blood glucose levels.
Zafirlukast (Accolate) is prescribed for a client with bronchial asthma. Which
laboratory test does the nurse expect to be prescribed before the administration
of this medication?
a) Platelet count
b) Neutrophil count
c) Liver function tests
d) Complete blood count
, c) Liver function tests
Rationale: Zafirlukast (Accolate) is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used in the
prophylaxis and long-term treatment of bronchial asthma. Zafirlukast is used with
caution in clients with impaired hepatic function. Liver function laboratory tests should
be performed to obtain a baseline, and the levels should be monitored during
administration of the medication.
A client has been taking isoniazid for 1½ months. The client complains to the
nurse about numbness, paresthesias, and tingling in the extremities. The nurse
interprets that the client is experiencing which problem?
a) Hypercalcemia
b) Peripheral neuritis
c) Small blood vessel spasm
d) Impaired peripheral circulation
b) Peripheral neuritis
Rationale: Isoniazid is an antitubercular medication. A common side effect of isoniazid
is peripheral neuritis, manifested by numbness, tingling, and paresthesias in the
extremities. This can be minimized with pyridoxine (vitamin B6) intake.
A client is to begin a 6-month course of therapy with isoniazid. The nurse should
plan to teach the client to take which action?
a) Use alcohol in small amounts only.
b) Report yellow eyes or skin immediately.
c) Increase intake of Swiss or aged cheeses.
d) Avoid vitamin supplements during therapy.
b) Report yellow eyes or skin immediately.
Rationale: Isoniazid is hepatotoxic, and therefore the client is taught to report signs and
symptoms of hepatitis immediately, which include yellow skin and sclera. For the same
reason, alcohol should be avoided during therapy. The client should avoid intake of
Swiss cheese, fish such as tuna, and foods containing tyramine because they may
cause a reaction characterized by redness and itching of the skin, flushing, sweating,
tachycardia, headache, or lightheadedness. The client can avoid developing peripheral
neuritis by increasing the intake of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) during the course of isoniazid
therapy.
A client has been started on long-term therapy with rifampin (Rifadin). The nurse
should provide which information to the client about the medication?
a) Should always be taken with food or antacids
b) Should be double-dosed if one dose is forgotten
c) Causes orange discoloration of sweat, tears, urine, and feces
d) May be discontinued independently if symptoms are gone in 3 months
c) Causes orange discoloration of sweat, tears, urine, and feces
And Answers With Rationale, All Correct
A client has a prescription to take guaifenesin (Mucinex). The nurse determines
that the client understands the proper administration of this medication if the
client states that he or she will perform which action?
a) Take an extra dose if fever develops.
b) Take the medication with meals only.
c) Take the tablet with a full glass of water.
d) Decrease the amount of daily fluid intake.
c) Take the tablet with a full glass of water.
Rationale: Guaifenesin (Mucinex) is an expectorant and should be taken with a full
glass of water to decrease the viscosity of secretions. Extra doses should not be taken.
The client should contact the health care provider if the cough lasts longer than 1 week
or is accompanied by fever, rash, sore throat, or persistent headache. Fluids are
needed to decrease the viscosity of secretions. The medication does not have to be
taken with meals.
The nurse is preparing to administer a dose of naloxone hydrochloride
intravenously to a client with an intravenous opioid overdose. Which supportive
medical equipment should the nurse plan to have at the client's bedside if
needed?
a) Nasogastric tube
b) Paracentesis tray
c) Resuscitation equipment
d) Central line insertion tray
c) Resuscitation equipment
Rationale: The nurse administering naloxone for suspected opioid overdose should
have resuscitation equipment readily available to support naloxone therapy if it is
needed. Other adjuncts that may be needed include oxygen, mechanical ventilator, and
vasopressors.
The nurse teaches a client about the effects of diphenhydramine (Benadryl),
which has been prescribed as a cough suppressant. The nurse determines that
the client needs further instruction if the client makes which statement?
a) "I will take the medication on an empty stomach."
b) "I won't drink alcohol while taking this medication."
c) "I will use sugarless gum, candy, or oral rinses to decrease dryness in my
mouth."
d) "I won't do activities that require mental alertness while taking this
medication."
,a) "I will take the medication on an empty stomach."
Rationale: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) has several uses, including as an antihistamine,
antitussive, antidyskinetic, and sedative-hypnotic. Instructions for use include taking
with food or milk to decrease gastrointestinal upset and using oral rinses or sugarless
gum or hard candy to minimize dry mouth. Because the medication causes drowsiness,
the client should avoid use of alcohol or central nervous system depressants, operating
a car, or engaging in other activities requiring mental awareness during use.
A cromolyn sodium inhaler is prescribed for a client with allergic asthma. The
nurse provides instructions regarding the side and adverse effects of this
medication and should tell the client that which undesirable effect is associated
with this medication?
a) Insomnia
b) Constipation
c) Hypotension
d) Bronchospasm
d) Bronchospasm
Rationale: Cromolyn sodium is an inhaled nonsteroidal antiallergy agent and a mast cell
stabilizer. Undesirable effects associated with inhalation therapy of cromolyn sodium
are bronchospasm, cough, nasal congestion, throat irritation, and wheezing. Clients
receiving this medication orally may experience pruritus, nausea, diarrhea, and myalgia.
Terbutaline is prescribed for a client with bronchitis. The nurse understands that
this medication should be used with caution if which medical condition is present
in the client?
a) Osteoarthritis
b) Hypothyroidism
c) Diabetes mellitus
d) Polycystic disease
c) Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Terbutaline is a bronchodilator and is contraindicated in clients with
hypersensitivity to sympathomimetics. It should be used with caution in clients with
impaired cardiac function, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, or a history
of seizures. The medication may increase blood glucose levels.
Zafirlukast (Accolate) is prescribed for a client with bronchial asthma. Which
laboratory test does the nurse expect to be prescribed before the administration
of this medication?
a) Platelet count
b) Neutrophil count
c) Liver function tests
d) Complete blood count
, c) Liver function tests
Rationale: Zafirlukast (Accolate) is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used in the
prophylaxis and long-term treatment of bronchial asthma. Zafirlukast is used with
caution in clients with impaired hepatic function. Liver function laboratory tests should
be performed to obtain a baseline, and the levels should be monitored during
administration of the medication.
A client has been taking isoniazid for 1½ months. The client complains to the
nurse about numbness, paresthesias, and tingling in the extremities. The nurse
interprets that the client is experiencing which problem?
a) Hypercalcemia
b) Peripheral neuritis
c) Small blood vessel spasm
d) Impaired peripheral circulation
b) Peripheral neuritis
Rationale: Isoniazid is an antitubercular medication. A common side effect of isoniazid
is peripheral neuritis, manifested by numbness, tingling, and paresthesias in the
extremities. This can be minimized with pyridoxine (vitamin B6) intake.
A client is to begin a 6-month course of therapy with isoniazid. The nurse should
plan to teach the client to take which action?
a) Use alcohol in small amounts only.
b) Report yellow eyes or skin immediately.
c) Increase intake of Swiss or aged cheeses.
d) Avoid vitamin supplements during therapy.
b) Report yellow eyes or skin immediately.
Rationale: Isoniazid is hepatotoxic, and therefore the client is taught to report signs and
symptoms of hepatitis immediately, which include yellow skin and sclera. For the same
reason, alcohol should be avoided during therapy. The client should avoid intake of
Swiss cheese, fish such as tuna, and foods containing tyramine because they may
cause a reaction characterized by redness and itching of the skin, flushing, sweating,
tachycardia, headache, or lightheadedness. The client can avoid developing peripheral
neuritis by increasing the intake of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) during the course of isoniazid
therapy.
A client has been started on long-term therapy with rifampin (Rifadin). The nurse
should provide which information to the client about the medication?
a) Should always be taken with food or antacids
b) Should be double-dosed if one dose is forgotten
c) Causes orange discoloration of sweat, tears, urine, and feces
d) May be discontinued independently if symptoms are gone in 3 months
c) Causes orange discoloration of sweat, tears, urine, and feces
