Test Bank - Focus on Nursing Pharmacology (8th Edition by Karch)
1. The nurse explains why viruses are so difficult to treat when making what
statement?
a. Viruses are contained inside the human cell and cannot be destroyed
without destroying the cell.
b. Release of interferons by the host cell makes the virus replicate more
quickly allowing the virus to spread.
c. Drugs exist to treat all viral infections but they carry serious adverse effects
and the benefit often does not outweigh the risk.
d. Individual antiviral drugs are often effective in treating many different
viruses because one virus in a category behaves like others in the same
category.
Ans: A
Feedback:
Because viruses are contained inside human cells while they are in the body,
researchers have difficulty developing effective drugs that destroy a virus without
harming the human host. Interferons are released by the host in response to viral
invasion of a cell and act to prevent the replication of that particular virus. Some
interferons that affect particular viruses can now be genetically engineered to treat
particular viral infections. Other drugs that are used in treating viral infections are not
natural substances and have been effective against only a limited number of viruses.
Very few viruses are treatable with medications; a few more can be prevented through
immunization but most have no known treatment. Each antiviral is generally only
suited to treat the single virus it was developed for and will not be effective against
other viruses.
2. While calculating the drug dose of antiviral medications for children who have
AIDS a pediatric nurse uses what?
a. The viral complications
b. The child’s age
c. The severity of the virus
d. The child’s weight
Ans: D
Feedback:
Antiviral medication dosages for children are calculated according to weight. There is
no scientific data available concerning dosages based on complications or severity of
illness. The ethical dilemma using children in drug studies is always a concern.
Children must be monitored very carefully for adverse effects on kidneys, bone
, marrow, and the liver. The complications and severity of the disease may determine
which drug is prescribed.
3. A patient taking nevirapine (Viramune) as part of combination therapy for
treatment of HIV took 200 mg/daily PO for 14 days. The patient is now taking 200
mg PO bid. How many mg of the medication is the patient taking daily?
a. 100 mg
b. 200 mg
c. 300 mg
d. 400 mg
Ans: D
Feedback:
The patient is to take 200 mg bid, which means twice a day. (200 times 2 equals 400
mg daily.)
4. What medication is only administered intravenously and is used to treat
cytomegalovirus (CMV)?
a. Cidofovir (Vistide)
b. Foscarnet (Foscavir)
c. Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
d. Valganciclovir (Valcyte)
Ans: B
Feedback:
Foscarnet (Foscavir) is administered IV only. Ganciclovir and (Cytovene) can be
administered by IV and orally. Valganciclovir (Valcyte) and Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
are administered only by the oral route.
5. A hospitalized patient is receiving an antiviral drug to treat cytomegalovirus. What
is the nurse’s priority action after administering the antiviral drug?
a. Monitor vital signs every hour.
b. Decrease fluid intake.
c. Keep side rails up.
d. Encourage the patient to ambulate 10 minutes after each dose.
Ans: C
Feedback:
Antiviral drugs for herpes and cytomegalovirus can cause confusion, dizziness, and
other central nervous system (CNS) effects. Side rails should be up after
administration to protect the patient from injury until risk for these adverse effects is
lowered because not every patient will experience these effects. The patient should
not be encouraged to walk after each dose because of the risk of falls if adverse
effects occur. Fluid intake should be slightly increased to help decrease risk of
1. The nurse explains why viruses are so difficult to treat when making what
statement?
a. Viruses are contained inside the human cell and cannot be destroyed
without destroying the cell.
b. Release of interferons by the host cell makes the virus replicate more
quickly allowing the virus to spread.
c. Drugs exist to treat all viral infections but they carry serious adverse effects
and the benefit often does not outweigh the risk.
d. Individual antiviral drugs are often effective in treating many different
viruses because one virus in a category behaves like others in the same
category.
Ans: A
Feedback:
Because viruses are contained inside human cells while they are in the body,
researchers have difficulty developing effective drugs that destroy a virus without
harming the human host. Interferons are released by the host in response to viral
invasion of a cell and act to prevent the replication of that particular virus. Some
interferons that affect particular viruses can now be genetically engineered to treat
particular viral infections. Other drugs that are used in treating viral infections are not
natural substances and have been effective against only a limited number of viruses.
Very few viruses are treatable with medications; a few more can be prevented through
immunization but most have no known treatment. Each antiviral is generally only
suited to treat the single virus it was developed for and will not be effective against
other viruses.
2. While calculating the drug dose of antiviral medications for children who have
AIDS a pediatric nurse uses what?
a. The viral complications
b. The child’s age
c. The severity of the virus
d. The child’s weight
Ans: D
Feedback:
Antiviral medication dosages for children are calculated according to weight. There is
no scientific data available concerning dosages based on complications or severity of
illness. The ethical dilemma using children in drug studies is always a concern.
Children must be monitored very carefully for adverse effects on kidneys, bone
, marrow, and the liver. The complications and severity of the disease may determine
which drug is prescribed.
3. A patient taking nevirapine (Viramune) as part of combination therapy for
treatment of HIV took 200 mg/daily PO for 14 days. The patient is now taking 200
mg PO bid. How many mg of the medication is the patient taking daily?
a. 100 mg
b. 200 mg
c. 300 mg
d. 400 mg
Ans: D
Feedback:
The patient is to take 200 mg bid, which means twice a day. (200 times 2 equals 400
mg daily.)
4. What medication is only administered intravenously and is used to treat
cytomegalovirus (CMV)?
a. Cidofovir (Vistide)
b. Foscarnet (Foscavir)
c. Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
d. Valganciclovir (Valcyte)
Ans: B
Feedback:
Foscarnet (Foscavir) is administered IV only. Ganciclovir and (Cytovene) can be
administered by IV and orally. Valganciclovir (Valcyte) and Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
are administered only by the oral route.
5. A hospitalized patient is receiving an antiviral drug to treat cytomegalovirus. What
is the nurse’s priority action after administering the antiviral drug?
a. Monitor vital signs every hour.
b. Decrease fluid intake.
c. Keep side rails up.
d. Encourage the patient to ambulate 10 minutes after each dose.
Ans: C
Feedback:
Antiviral drugs for herpes and cytomegalovirus can cause confusion, dizziness, and
other central nervous system (CNS) effects. Side rails should be up after
administration to protect the patient from injury until risk for these adverse effects is
lowered because not every patient will experience these effects. The patient should
not be encouraged to walk after each dose because of the risk of falls if adverse
effects occur. Fluid intake should be slightly increased to help decrease risk of
