Test Bank for Introductory
Clinical Pharmacology 12th
Edition by Susan M Ford
Chapter 11-15
C HAPTER 11: A NTIVIRAL D RUGS
Ford: Introductory Clinical Pharmacology 12th Edition
Multiple Choice
1. A nurse is obtaining the medication history of a client who is to start acyclovir.
The nurse discovers this client is currently taking theophylline. The nurse
should question the use of acyclovir due to which contraindication?
A) Increases the risk for acyclovir toxicit y
B) Increases the risk of seizures in clients with respiratory problems
C) Increases serum level of theophylline in clients taking theophylline
D) Increased serum levels of antiviral valacyclovir
Answer: C
Rationale: When clients receiving theophylline treatment are administered
acyclovir, there is an increase in the serum level of theophylline, thus placing
the client at risk for theophylline toxicit y. The serum levels of acyclovir do
not increase. Increased levels of valacyclovir occur if the client is taking
valacyclovir, not theophylline. Taking acyclovir with theophylline does not
increase the risk of seizures.
, Question Format: Multiple Choice
Chapter: 11
Learning Objective: 5
Cognitive Level: Appl y
Client Needs: Physiological Integrit y: Reduction of Risk Potential
Integrated Process: Clinical Problem -solving Process (Nursing Process)
Reference: p. 129, Unlabel led Use of Antiviral Drugs
2. The nurse monitoring a client receiving saquinavir assesses the client for
responses. Which reaction requires priority response?
A) Increase in client's weight
B) Evidence of liver dysfunction
C) Photosensitivit y
D) Allergic skin reaction
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients taking saquinavir experience redistribution of body fat,
with the movement to the center of the body. The nurse should spend time
with these clients, encouraging them to verbalize their feelings regarding this
change in appearance. Takin g saquinavir does not cause liver dysfunction,
photosensitivit y, or any allergic skin reactions.
Question Format: Multiple Choice
Chapter: 11
Learning Objective: 5
Cognitive Level: Appl y
Client Needs: Physiological Integrit y: Pharmacological Therapies
Integrated Process: Clinical Problem -solving Process (Nursing Process)
Reference: p. 137, Disturbed Body Image
3. The nurse is preparing discharge planning and education for a client who will
continue antiviral therapy at home. Which points should the nu rse include in the
teaching session?
A) “A slight elevation in temperature is normal and needn't be reported.”
, B) “Double the dosage of the drug if you miss a dose.”
C) “Stop taking the drug as soon as the symptoms of the infection disappear.”
D) “Make sure to not ify your primary health care provider if you develop any
adverse reactions.”
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client to report adverse reactions to
the primary health care provider. The nurse should also tell the client to
report any increase in temperature, even if it is a slight increase. If the client
misses a dose, the next dose should be taken as soon as remembered, but it
should not be doubled. The nurse should also instruct the client to take the
drug exactl y as directed for the full course of therapy, even if the symptoms
of the infection disappear.
Question Format: Multiple Choice
Chapter: 11
Learning Objective: 5
Cognitive Level: Appl y
Client Needs: Physiological Integrit y: Reduction of Risk Potential
Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
Reference: p. 138, Educating the Client and Famil y
4. The nurse notes a 25 -year-old female client who is to begin antiretroviral
therapy is currentl y taking oral contraceptives. The nurse should point out the
combination can result in which interaction?
A) Decreased effectiveness of antiviral therapy
B) Increased risk of vaginal bleeding
C) Decreased effectiveness of birth control pills
D) Increased serum level of the antiretroviral
Answer: C
Rationale: Antiretrovirals decr ease the effectiveness of oral birth control
agents. Combining antiretrovirals with birth control pills does not, however,
increase the risk of vaginal bleeding, increase serum levels of the
antiretroviral, or decrease the effectiveness of antiviral therap y.
, Question Format: Multiple Choice
Chapter: 11
Learning Objective: 5
Cognitive Level: Appl y
Client Needs: Physiological Integrit y: Pharmacological Therapies
Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
Reference: p. 133, Antiretrovirals
5. An HIV-positive client is being treated with didanosine as part of the
antiretroviral therapy. When assessing the client, the nurse would immediatel y
report which finding to the primary health care provider?
A) Peripheral neuropathy
B) Headache
C) Excoriation
D) Taste alteration
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should immediatel y report symptoms of peripheral
neuropathy to the primary health care provider. Headache and taste alteration
are some of the mild adverse effects of the drug and are not cause for
immediate concern. Exco riation is an adverse effect of imiquimod and does
not occur in clients being administered didanosine.
Question Format: Multiple Choice
Chapter: 11
Learning Objective: 2
Cognitive Level: Anal yze
Client Needs: Physiological Integrit y: Pharmacological T herapies
Integrated Process: Clinical Problem -solving Process (Nursing Process)
Reference: p. 137, Injury Risk
6. A client with skin lesions due to a viral infection has been prescribed a topical
antiviral agent. When teaching the client about this therap y, which factor would
the nurse emphasize?
Clinical Pharmacology 12th
Edition by Susan M Ford
Chapter 11-15
C HAPTER 11: A NTIVIRAL D RUGS
Ford: Introductory Clinical Pharmacology 12th Edition
Multiple Choice
1. A nurse is obtaining the medication history of a client who is to start acyclovir.
The nurse discovers this client is currently taking theophylline. The nurse
should question the use of acyclovir due to which contraindication?
A) Increases the risk for acyclovir toxicit y
B) Increases the risk of seizures in clients with respiratory problems
C) Increases serum level of theophylline in clients taking theophylline
D) Increased serum levels of antiviral valacyclovir
Answer: C
Rationale: When clients receiving theophylline treatment are administered
acyclovir, there is an increase in the serum level of theophylline, thus placing
the client at risk for theophylline toxicit y. The serum levels of acyclovir do
not increase. Increased levels of valacyclovir occur if the client is taking
valacyclovir, not theophylline. Taking acyclovir with theophylline does not
increase the risk of seizures.
, Question Format: Multiple Choice
Chapter: 11
Learning Objective: 5
Cognitive Level: Appl y
Client Needs: Physiological Integrit y: Reduction of Risk Potential
Integrated Process: Clinical Problem -solving Process (Nursing Process)
Reference: p. 129, Unlabel led Use of Antiviral Drugs
2. The nurse monitoring a client receiving saquinavir assesses the client for
responses. Which reaction requires priority response?
A) Increase in client's weight
B) Evidence of liver dysfunction
C) Photosensitivit y
D) Allergic skin reaction
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients taking saquinavir experience redistribution of body fat,
with the movement to the center of the body. The nurse should spend time
with these clients, encouraging them to verbalize their feelings regarding this
change in appearance. Takin g saquinavir does not cause liver dysfunction,
photosensitivit y, or any allergic skin reactions.
Question Format: Multiple Choice
Chapter: 11
Learning Objective: 5
Cognitive Level: Appl y
Client Needs: Physiological Integrit y: Pharmacological Therapies
Integrated Process: Clinical Problem -solving Process (Nursing Process)
Reference: p. 137, Disturbed Body Image
3. The nurse is preparing discharge planning and education for a client who will
continue antiviral therapy at home. Which points should the nu rse include in the
teaching session?
A) “A slight elevation in temperature is normal and needn't be reported.”
, B) “Double the dosage of the drug if you miss a dose.”
C) “Stop taking the drug as soon as the symptoms of the infection disappear.”
D) “Make sure to not ify your primary health care provider if you develop any
adverse reactions.”
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client to report adverse reactions to
the primary health care provider. The nurse should also tell the client to
report any increase in temperature, even if it is a slight increase. If the client
misses a dose, the next dose should be taken as soon as remembered, but it
should not be doubled. The nurse should also instruct the client to take the
drug exactl y as directed for the full course of therapy, even if the symptoms
of the infection disappear.
Question Format: Multiple Choice
Chapter: 11
Learning Objective: 5
Cognitive Level: Appl y
Client Needs: Physiological Integrit y: Reduction of Risk Potential
Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
Reference: p. 138, Educating the Client and Famil y
4. The nurse notes a 25 -year-old female client who is to begin antiretroviral
therapy is currentl y taking oral contraceptives. The nurse should point out the
combination can result in which interaction?
A) Decreased effectiveness of antiviral therapy
B) Increased risk of vaginal bleeding
C) Decreased effectiveness of birth control pills
D) Increased serum level of the antiretroviral
Answer: C
Rationale: Antiretrovirals decr ease the effectiveness of oral birth control
agents. Combining antiretrovirals with birth control pills does not, however,
increase the risk of vaginal bleeding, increase serum levels of the
antiretroviral, or decrease the effectiveness of antiviral therap y.
, Question Format: Multiple Choice
Chapter: 11
Learning Objective: 5
Cognitive Level: Appl y
Client Needs: Physiological Integrit y: Pharmacological Therapies
Integrated Process: Teaching/Learning
Reference: p. 133, Antiretrovirals
5. An HIV-positive client is being treated with didanosine as part of the
antiretroviral therapy. When assessing the client, the nurse would immediatel y
report which finding to the primary health care provider?
A) Peripheral neuropathy
B) Headache
C) Excoriation
D) Taste alteration
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should immediatel y report symptoms of peripheral
neuropathy to the primary health care provider. Headache and taste alteration
are some of the mild adverse effects of the drug and are not cause for
immediate concern. Exco riation is an adverse effect of imiquimod and does
not occur in clients being administered didanosine.
Question Format: Multiple Choice
Chapter: 11
Learning Objective: 2
Cognitive Level: Anal yze
Client Needs: Physiological Integrit y: Pharmacological T herapies
Integrated Process: Clinical Problem -solving Process (Nursing Process)
Reference: p. 137, Injury Risk
6. A client with skin lesions due to a viral infection has been prescribed a topical
antiviral agent. When teaching the client about this therap y, which factor would
the nurse emphasize?
