Exam 4: NUR209/ NUR 209 V2 (Latest 2025/
2026 Update) Medical Surgical Nursing II|
Questions and Verified Answers| 100% Correct|
Grade A – Fortis
What drug is used to aid in removing excessive mucus in the respiratory tract?
Expectorants
The most common expectorant in such preparations is guaifenesin--( Robitussin-
DM)
When taking an expectorant, patients should increase fluid intake to at least 8
glasses per day to help loosen mucus.
A patient with a tracheostomy has difficulty removing excessive, thick mucus from
the respiratory tract. The nurse expects that which drug will be ordered to aid in the
removal of mucus?
guaifenesin (Mucinex)
Define antitussive drug and its appropriate uses
Cough suppression
Three types of antitussives:
Nonnarcotic
Narcotic
Combination with other agents
Textbook example: Dextromethorphan
A nonnarcotic antitussive, widely used in OTC cough remedies
, Exam 4: NUR209/ NUR 209 V2 (Latest 2025/
2026 Update) Medical Surgical Nursing II|
Questions and Verified Answers| 100% Correct|
Grade A – Fortis
Available in numerous cold and cough remedy preparations in syrup or liquid
form, chewable capsules, and lozenges. [Trade Names- Robitussin, Sucrets,
Benylin DM]
What would the nurse expect for a patient with COPD receiving intravenous
aminophylline?
Increased ease of breathing.
Relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchi, bronchioles, and pulmonary blood
vessels by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase, resulting in an increase in
cAMP, which promotes bronchodilation.
Rapid IV infusion can cause dizziness, flushing, hypotension, severe bradycardia,
and palpitations.
To avoid severe adverse effects, IV theophylline preparations must be administered
slowly via an IV pump.
What is an adverse effect of xanthine derivatives?
Dysrhythmias, convulsions, cardiorespiratory collapse
, Exam 4: NUR209/ NUR 209 V2 (Latest 2025/
2026 Update) Medical Surgical Nursing II|
Questions and Verified Answers| 100% Correct|
Grade A – Fortis
What medication is prescribed for a patient with asthma? What are side effects?
Methylxanthine (xanthine) derivatives, which include aminophylline, theophylline,
and caffeine.
Xanthines also stimulate the central nervous system (CNS) and respiration, dilate
coronary and pulmonary vessels, and cause diuresis. Because of their effect on
respiration and pulmonary vessels, xanthines are used in the treatment of asthma.
Side effects:
Restlessness
Syncope
Palpitations
Tachycardia
Hyperventilation
Cardiac dysrhythmias.
What order should a patient with 2 inhalers, one bronchodilator and the other
corticosteroids?
Bronchodilator should be taken first
An inhaled beta2-agonist may be used before the inhaled corticosteroid to provide
bronchodilation before administration of the anti-inflammatory drug. (quizlet)
Patients who use a beta-agonist inhalant should administer it 5 minutes before
using ipratropium
, Exam 4: NUR209/ NUR 209 V2 (Latest 2025/
2026 Update) Medical Surgical Nursing II|
Questions and Verified Answers| 100% Correct|
Grade A – Fortis
When using the anticholinergic agent in conjunction with an inhaled glucocorticoid
(steroid) or cromolyn, the ipratropium bromide should be used 5 minutes before
the steroid or cromolyn.
This causes the bronchioles to dilate so the steroid or cromolyn can be deposited in
the bronchioles
What class of drugs does ipratropium bromide belong to?
Anticholinergic: ipratropium bromide (Atrovent HFA)
For bronchospasm associated with COPD, including asthma. Use with caution in
patients with narrow-angle glaucoma.
used to treat asthmatic conditions by dilating the bronchioles
Unlike other anticholinergics, ipratropium bromide has few systemic effects. It is
administered by aerosol.
What drug has an effect similar to caffeine and may have a diuretic effect?
Caffeine is a methylxanthine that stimulates the CNS, especially the medullary
respiratory center
The second major group of bronchodilators used to treat asthma is the
methylxanthine (xanthine) derivatives
These include: aminophylline, theophylline, and caffeine
2026 Update) Medical Surgical Nursing II|
Questions and Verified Answers| 100% Correct|
Grade A – Fortis
What drug is used to aid in removing excessive mucus in the respiratory tract?
Expectorants
The most common expectorant in such preparations is guaifenesin--( Robitussin-
DM)
When taking an expectorant, patients should increase fluid intake to at least 8
glasses per day to help loosen mucus.
A patient with a tracheostomy has difficulty removing excessive, thick mucus from
the respiratory tract. The nurse expects that which drug will be ordered to aid in the
removal of mucus?
guaifenesin (Mucinex)
Define antitussive drug and its appropriate uses
Cough suppression
Three types of antitussives:
Nonnarcotic
Narcotic
Combination with other agents
Textbook example: Dextromethorphan
A nonnarcotic antitussive, widely used in OTC cough remedies
, Exam 4: NUR209/ NUR 209 V2 (Latest 2025/
2026 Update) Medical Surgical Nursing II|
Questions and Verified Answers| 100% Correct|
Grade A – Fortis
Available in numerous cold and cough remedy preparations in syrup or liquid
form, chewable capsules, and lozenges. [Trade Names- Robitussin, Sucrets,
Benylin DM]
What would the nurse expect for a patient with COPD receiving intravenous
aminophylline?
Increased ease of breathing.
Relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchi, bronchioles, and pulmonary blood
vessels by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase, resulting in an increase in
cAMP, which promotes bronchodilation.
Rapid IV infusion can cause dizziness, flushing, hypotension, severe bradycardia,
and palpitations.
To avoid severe adverse effects, IV theophylline preparations must be administered
slowly via an IV pump.
What is an adverse effect of xanthine derivatives?
Dysrhythmias, convulsions, cardiorespiratory collapse
, Exam 4: NUR209/ NUR 209 V2 (Latest 2025/
2026 Update) Medical Surgical Nursing II|
Questions and Verified Answers| 100% Correct|
Grade A – Fortis
What medication is prescribed for a patient with asthma? What are side effects?
Methylxanthine (xanthine) derivatives, which include aminophylline, theophylline,
and caffeine.
Xanthines also stimulate the central nervous system (CNS) and respiration, dilate
coronary and pulmonary vessels, and cause diuresis. Because of their effect on
respiration and pulmonary vessels, xanthines are used in the treatment of asthma.
Side effects:
Restlessness
Syncope
Palpitations
Tachycardia
Hyperventilation
Cardiac dysrhythmias.
What order should a patient with 2 inhalers, one bronchodilator and the other
corticosteroids?
Bronchodilator should be taken first
An inhaled beta2-agonist may be used before the inhaled corticosteroid to provide
bronchodilation before administration of the anti-inflammatory drug. (quizlet)
Patients who use a beta-agonist inhalant should administer it 5 minutes before
using ipratropium
, Exam 4: NUR209/ NUR 209 V2 (Latest 2025/
2026 Update) Medical Surgical Nursing II|
Questions and Verified Answers| 100% Correct|
Grade A – Fortis
When using the anticholinergic agent in conjunction with an inhaled glucocorticoid
(steroid) or cromolyn, the ipratropium bromide should be used 5 minutes before
the steroid or cromolyn.
This causes the bronchioles to dilate so the steroid or cromolyn can be deposited in
the bronchioles
What class of drugs does ipratropium bromide belong to?
Anticholinergic: ipratropium bromide (Atrovent HFA)
For bronchospasm associated with COPD, including asthma. Use with caution in
patients with narrow-angle glaucoma.
used to treat asthmatic conditions by dilating the bronchioles
Unlike other anticholinergics, ipratropium bromide has few systemic effects. It is
administered by aerosol.
What drug has an effect similar to caffeine and may have a diuretic effect?
Caffeine is a methylxanthine that stimulates the CNS, especially the medullary
respiratory center
The second major group of bronchodilators used to treat asthma is the
methylxanthine (xanthine) derivatives
These include: aminophylline, theophylline, and caffeine
