Test Bank - Focus on Nursing Pharmacology (8th Edition by Karch)
1. A high school student starts vomiting and goes to see the school nurse. The student
asks the nurse what part of his brain makes him vomit. What area of the brain will
the nurse tell the student must be stimulated for vomiting to occur?
a. Chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ)
b. Forebrain
c. Hypothalamus
d. Thalamus
Ans: A
Feedback:
The CTZ has to be stimulated in order for vomiting to occur. The GI mucosa,
hypothalamus, and thalamus are not associated with eliciting vomiting. The forebrain,
hypothalamus, and thalamus have no part in vomiting.
2. A 25-pound child is in the clinic because of vomiting the last 24 hours. The nurse
is to administer trimethobenzamide (Tigan). What dose will the nurse administer
by what route?
a. 0.25 mg IV
b. 1.1 mg/kg IM
c. 100 mg rectally
d. 200 mg orally
Ans: C
Feedback:
The nurse will administer 100 mg rectally. The other doses are inappropriate. A usual
dose of palonosetron for an adult is 0.25 mg IV. A usual dose of hydroxyzine for a
child is 1.1 mg/kg IM, and a usual dose of trimethobenzamide for a child weighing
more than 30 pounds is 200 mg orally.
3. The clinic nurse is caring for a 55-year-old farmer who has been prescribed an
antiemetic for an inner ear problem. The patient states I need to get back to work.
With this patient especially, what will the nurse caution him about?
a. Weight gain
b. Suicidal ideation
c. Diarrhea
d. Photosensitivity
Ans: D
Feedback:
, Photosensitivity is a common adverse reaction with many antiemetics. The nurse
should advise the patient to use sunscreen and wear protective garments if exposure
cannot be avoided, which is unlikely considering the patient’s occupation. Weight
gain, suicidal ideation, and diarrhea have not been identified as adverse effects of
antiemetics.
4. A female college student with migraine headaches that cause nausea and vomiting
has been prescribed trimethobenzamide (Tigan). It is important for the nurse to
caution the student to avoid using what?
a. St. John’s wort
b. Calcium channel blockers
c. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
d. Alcohol
Ans: D
Feedback:
Locally acting antiemetics depress areas of the CNS. If combined with other CNS
depressants, such as alcohol, patients could experience increasing CNS depression
including dizziness and somnolence. St. John’s wort, calcium channel blockers, and
SSRIs are not CNS depressants.
5. A cancer patient is in the outpatient department to receive chemotherapy. The
nurse administers prochlorperazine (Compazine) prophylactically before the
infusion. What will the nurse’s teaching for this patient include?
a. Avoid driving or any dangerous activities if dizziness or drowsiness occurs.
b. Cover the head in extreme of temperatures.
c. Take extra precautions to avoid heat stroke.
d. Check blood pressure at home on a regular basis.
Ans: A
Feedback:
Prochlorperazine is an antiemetic that can cause dizziness and drowsiness. A patient
who is taking it should be advised not to drive or undertake dangerous activities if
these adverse effects occur. The drug does not cause heat loss or inability to sweat
that may lead to heat stroke. This drug should not affect blood pressure, so there is no
need to test for it.
6. What is an appropriate nursing action for a hospitalized patient receiving aprepitant
(Emend)?
a. Elevate the head of the bed.
b. Encourage fluids.
c. Take the patient’s temperature.
d. Place an NPO sign on the door.
1. A high school student starts vomiting and goes to see the school nurse. The student
asks the nurse what part of his brain makes him vomit. What area of the brain will
the nurse tell the student must be stimulated for vomiting to occur?
a. Chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ)
b. Forebrain
c. Hypothalamus
d. Thalamus
Ans: A
Feedback:
The CTZ has to be stimulated in order for vomiting to occur. The GI mucosa,
hypothalamus, and thalamus are not associated with eliciting vomiting. The forebrain,
hypothalamus, and thalamus have no part in vomiting.
2. A 25-pound child is in the clinic because of vomiting the last 24 hours. The nurse
is to administer trimethobenzamide (Tigan). What dose will the nurse administer
by what route?
a. 0.25 mg IV
b. 1.1 mg/kg IM
c. 100 mg rectally
d. 200 mg orally
Ans: C
Feedback:
The nurse will administer 100 mg rectally. The other doses are inappropriate. A usual
dose of palonosetron for an adult is 0.25 mg IV. A usual dose of hydroxyzine for a
child is 1.1 mg/kg IM, and a usual dose of trimethobenzamide for a child weighing
more than 30 pounds is 200 mg orally.
3. The clinic nurse is caring for a 55-year-old farmer who has been prescribed an
antiemetic for an inner ear problem. The patient states I need to get back to work.
With this patient especially, what will the nurse caution him about?
a. Weight gain
b. Suicidal ideation
c. Diarrhea
d. Photosensitivity
Ans: D
Feedback:
, Photosensitivity is a common adverse reaction with many antiemetics. The nurse
should advise the patient to use sunscreen and wear protective garments if exposure
cannot be avoided, which is unlikely considering the patient’s occupation. Weight
gain, suicidal ideation, and diarrhea have not been identified as adverse effects of
antiemetics.
4. A female college student with migraine headaches that cause nausea and vomiting
has been prescribed trimethobenzamide (Tigan). It is important for the nurse to
caution the student to avoid using what?
a. St. John’s wort
b. Calcium channel blockers
c. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
d. Alcohol
Ans: D
Feedback:
Locally acting antiemetics depress areas of the CNS. If combined with other CNS
depressants, such as alcohol, patients could experience increasing CNS depression
including dizziness and somnolence. St. John’s wort, calcium channel blockers, and
SSRIs are not CNS depressants.
5. A cancer patient is in the outpatient department to receive chemotherapy. The
nurse administers prochlorperazine (Compazine) prophylactically before the
infusion. What will the nurse’s teaching for this patient include?
a. Avoid driving or any dangerous activities if dizziness or drowsiness occurs.
b. Cover the head in extreme of temperatures.
c. Take extra precautions to avoid heat stroke.
d. Check blood pressure at home on a regular basis.
Ans: A
Feedback:
Prochlorperazine is an antiemetic that can cause dizziness and drowsiness. A patient
who is taking it should be advised not to drive or undertake dangerous activities if
these adverse effects occur. The drug does not cause heat loss or inability to sweat
that may lead to heat stroke. This drug should not affect blood pressure, so there is no
need to test for it.
6. What is an appropriate nursing action for a hospitalized patient receiving aprepitant
(Emend)?
a. Elevate the head of the bed.
b. Encourage fluids.
c. Take the patient’s temperature.
d. Place an NPO sign on the door.
