GI PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (2023/2024) (VERIFIED ANSWERS) A patient is prescribed lorazepam (Ativan) and a glucocorticoid during chemotherapy treatments. What is the nurse's best action? A.) Call the health care provider and questio

GI PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (2023/2024) (VERIFIED ANSWERS) A patient is prescribed lorazepam (Ativan) and a glucocorticoid during chemotherapy treatments. What is the nurse's best action? A.) Call the health care provider and question the order. B.) Only administer the Ativan if the patient seems anxious. C.) Administer the two medications at least 12 hours apart. D.) Administer the medications and assess the patient for relief. - ANSWER D.) Drug combination therapy is commonly used to manage chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Both lorazepam (Ativan) and the glucocorticoids have been found to be effective medications to assist in preventing and managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Which statement by the patient indicates that further teaching is needed about antiemetic medication? A.) "I will not drive while I am taking these medications because they may cause drowsiness." B.) "I may take Tylenol to treat the headache caused by ondansetron (Zofran)." C.) "I will apply the scopolamine patches to rotating sites on my upper arms." D.) "I should take my prescribed antiemetic before receiving my chemotherapy dose and continue afterwards." - ANSWER C.) Transdermal scopolamine patches should be applied to non-irritated areas behind the ear, not on the arms. It is appropriate for the patient to refrain from driving while utilizing antiemetics, to use Tylenol to treat headaches caused by ondansetron (Zofran), and to take antiemetics preventatively prior to and after chemotherapy. The nurse is administering loperamide (Imodium) to a patient with diarrhea. What assessment is essential for the nurse to perform? A.) Vascular assessment ESTUDY B.) Gastric assessment C.) Hourly blood pressure measurements D.) Intake and output every shift - ANSWER B.) Adverse effects associated with loperamide (Imodium) include central nervous system symptoms such as fatigue and dizziness, epigastric pain, abdominal cramps, nausea, dry mouth, vomiting, and anorexia. The nurse should be auscultating bowel sounds on the patient to verify that they are present in each quadrant. There is no evidence to support vascular assessment or hourly blood pressure measurements. Although intake and output is important because the patient is experiencing diarrhea, it does not have the priority that gastric assessment does. Which outcome assessment is essential to monitor for in the patient taking diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil)? A.) Increase in bowel sounds B.) Increase in number of bowel movements C.) Decrease in gastric motility D.) Decrease in urination - ANSWER C.) Diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil) acts on the smooth muscle of the intestinal tract to inhibit gastrointestinal motility and excessive propulsion of the gastrointestinal tract (peristalsis). A decrease in the gastric motility results in a decrease in the number of bowel movements. Bowel movements should not increase; bowel sounds should not increase, and there should be no change in urination. What will the nurse teach the patient about the reason for administering multiple medications for relief of nausea and vomiting? A.) Combination therapy decreases the risk of constipation. B.) Combination therapy is more cost-effective. C.) Combination therapy blocks different vomiting pathways. D.) Combination therapy decreases side effects due to lower doses of each drug. ESTUDY - ANSWER Combining antiemetic agents from various categories allows the blocking of the vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone through different pathways, thus enhancing the antiemetic effect. In developing a plan of care for a patient receiving an antihistamine antiemetic agent, which nursing diagnosis is of highest priority? A.) Knowledge deficit regarding medication administration B.) Fluid volume deficit related to nausea and vomiting C.) Risk for injury related to side effects of medication D.) Alteration in comfort related to nausea and vomiting