BIO301 | BIO301 Pharmacology Exam 3 Version 2 |
Questions with Correct Answers and Expert
Explanation for Each Question | Saint Paul’s School
of Nursing
1. A patient with chronic asthma is prescribed Albuterol for use as needed. Which
statement by the patient indicates a correct understanding of this medication?
A. I will use this medication every morning to prevent an asthma attack.
B. I will take this medication only when I feel short of breath or wheezing.
C. I should expect this medication to take about two hours to start working.
D. I need to rinse my mouth with water immediately after using this inhaler.
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) designed for
the rapid relief of acute bronchospasm. It acts quickly to relax bronchial smooth
muscle and should be used during an active asthma attack. The correct answer
reflects its role as a rescue medication rather than a daily maintenance drug.
Common side effects include tachycardia and tremors which the nurse must
monitor. Patients must be taught to always carry this inhaler for emergency
situations.
,2. When teaching a patient how to use a Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI) with a spacer,
which instruction is most important?
A. Inhale as quickly and forcefully as possible after activating the device.
B. Hold your breath for at least 30 seconds after inhalation.
C. Activate the inhaler three times into the spacer before breathing in.
D. Wait at least one minute between puffs of the same medication.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Wait times between puffs allow the medication to reach
deeper into the bronchioles after the first dose. Using a spacer helps coordinate the
delivery of the drug and increases the amount reaching the lungs. The nurse
instructs the patient to breathe in slowly and deeply to maximize drug deposition.
Holding the breath for about 10 seconds is sufficient for the medication to settle in
the airways. Providing adequate time between doses ensures the best therapeutic
outcome for the patient.
3. A patient is prescribed inhaled Beclomethasone for long-term management of
asthma. What is a priority nursing intervention for this patient?
A. Monitor for signs of systemic infection and fever daily.
B. Assess the patient’s heart rate before and after administration.
C. Instruct the patient to rinse their mouth after each use.
,D. Ensure the patient has a rescue inhaler available for acute attacks.
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Beclomethasone is an inhaled corticosteroid used to reduce
airway inflammation over time. A common local side effect is the development of
oropharyngeal candidiasis or thrush. Rinsing the mouth after use removes residual
medication from the oral mucosa to prevent fungal growth. This medication is for
maintenance and will not stop an ongoing asthma attack. Patients should also be
monitored for hoarseness or dry throat during long-term therapy.
4. Which laboratory value is most critical to monitor for a patient receiving a
continuous infusion of Theophylline?
A. Theophylline drug levels
B. Serum glucose levels
C. Serum potassium levels
D. Prothrombin time (PT)
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Theophylline is a methylxanthine with a very narrow
therapeutic range, typically between 10 and 20 mcg/mL. Toxicity can occur easily
and manifests as severe arrhythmias or seizures. Monitoring blood levels is
essential to ensure safety and therapeutic efficacy for the patient. Signs of toxicity
, should be reported to the provider immediately to prevent life-threatening
complications. Nurses must also assess for caffeine intake as it can exacerbate the
drug’s stimulatory effects.
5. A patient is ordered both Albuterol and Fluticasone inhalers. Which sequence of
administration should the nurse teach?
A. Administer the Fluticasone first, wait 5 minutes, then the Albuterol.
B. Administer both medications simultaneously using two different spacers.
C. Administer the Albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then the Fluticasone.
D. The order does not matter as long as both are taken within the same hour.
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The bronchodilator should always be administered before the
corticosteroid to open the airways. Using Albuterol first allows the Fluticasone to
penetrate deeper into the lung tissue for better anti-inflammatory effect. A 5-minute
waiting period is necessary to allow the bronchodilator to achieve its peak initial
effect. This sequence optimizes the delivery of the maintenance medication to the
target area. Correct sequencing is a vital part of patient education for effective
respiratory management.
Questions with Correct Answers and Expert
Explanation for Each Question | Saint Paul’s School
of Nursing
1. A patient with chronic asthma is prescribed Albuterol for use as needed. Which
statement by the patient indicates a correct understanding of this medication?
A. I will use this medication every morning to prevent an asthma attack.
B. I will take this medication only when I feel short of breath or wheezing.
C. I should expect this medication to take about two hours to start working.
D. I need to rinse my mouth with water immediately after using this inhaler.
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) designed for
the rapid relief of acute bronchospasm. It acts quickly to relax bronchial smooth
muscle and should be used during an active asthma attack. The correct answer
reflects its role as a rescue medication rather than a daily maintenance drug.
Common side effects include tachycardia and tremors which the nurse must
monitor. Patients must be taught to always carry this inhaler for emergency
situations.
,2. When teaching a patient how to use a Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI) with a spacer,
which instruction is most important?
A. Inhale as quickly and forcefully as possible after activating the device.
B. Hold your breath for at least 30 seconds after inhalation.
C. Activate the inhaler three times into the spacer before breathing in.
D. Wait at least one minute between puffs of the same medication.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Wait times between puffs allow the medication to reach
deeper into the bronchioles after the first dose. Using a spacer helps coordinate the
delivery of the drug and increases the amount reaching the lungs. The nurse
instructs the patient to breathe in slowly and deeply to maximize drug deposition.
Holding the breath for about 10 seconds is sufficient for the medication to settle in
the airways. Providing adequate time between doses ensures the best therapeutic
outcome for the patient.
3. A patient is prescribed inhaled Beclomethasone for long-term management of
asthma. What is a priority nursing intervention for this patient?
A. Monitor for signs of systemic infection and fever daily.
B. Assess the patient’s heart rate before and after administration.
C. Instruct the patient to rinse their mouth after each use.
,D. Ensure the patient has a rescue inhaler available for acute attacks.
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Beclomethasone is an inhaled corticosteroid used to reduce
airway inflammation over time. A common local side effect is the development of
oropharyngeal candidiasis or thrush. Rinsing the mouth after use removes residual
medication from the oral mucosa to prevent fungal growth. This medication is for
maintenance and will not stop an ongoing asthma attack. Patients should also be
monitored for hoarseness or dry throat during long-term therapy.
4. Which laboratory value is most critical to monitor for a patient receiving a
continuous infusion of Theophylline?
A. Theophylline drug levels
B. Serum glucose levels
C. Serum potassium levels
D. Prothrombin time (PT)
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Theophylline is a methylxanthine with a very narrow
therapeutic range, typically between 10 and 20 mcg/mL. Toxicity can occur easily
and manifests as severe arrhythmias or seizures. Monitoring blood levels is
essential to ensure safety and therapeutic efficacy for the patient. Signs of toxicity
, should be reported to the provider immediately to prevent life-threatening
complications. Nurses must also assess for caffeine intake as it can exacerbate the
drug’s stimulatory effects.
5. A patient is ordered both Albuterol and Fluticasone inhalers. Which sequence of
administration should the nurse teach?
A. Administer the Fluticasone first, wait 5 minutes, then the Albuterol.
B. Administer both medications simultaneously using two different spacers.
C. Administer the Albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then the Fluticasone.
D. The order does not matter as long as both are taken within the same hour.
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: The bronchodilator should always be administered before the
corticosteroid to open the airways. Using Albuterol first allows the Fluticasone to
penetrate deeper into the lung tissue for better anti-inflammatory effect. A 5-minute
waiting period is necessary to allow the bronchodilator to achieve its peak initial
effect. This sequence optimizes the delivery of the maintenance medication to the
target area. Correct sequencing is a vital part of patient education for effective
respiratory management.
