FOCUS ON NURSING PHARMACOLOGY

1. The clinic nurse is admitting a 39-year-old woman who has come to the clinic complaining of left-sided tenderness, fever, chills, and flank pain. What does the nurse suspect the patient has? a. Cystitis b. Kidney stones c. Neurogenic bladder d. Pyelonephritis Ans: D Feedback: The fever and chills indicate an inflammatory process. Flank pain and left-sided tenderness indicate kidney swelling within the capsule. These symptoms indicate pyelonephritis. Kidney stones cause intense pain; ...

1. A nurse is discussing ways the body protects itself against infection. What are the microscopic, hair- like projections of the cell membrane found in the nasal cavity, which transport foreign substances toward the throat where it can be swallowed and kept away from the respiratory system? a. Goblet cells b. Cilia c. Alveolar sacs d. Sinuses Ans: B Feedback: Cilia are found in the epithelial cells of the lining of the nasal cavity and are constantly in motion directing mucus and trapp...

1. The class of diuretics that act to block the chloride pump in the distal convoluted tubules and leads to a loss of sodium and potassium and a minor loss of water is what? a. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors b. Osmotic diuretics c. Potassium-sparing diuretics d. Thiazide diuretics Ans: D Feedback: Thiazide diuretics work to block the chloride pump, which leads to a loss of sodium, potassium, and some water. They are considered mild diuretics. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors work to block t...

1. The nurse is caring for a patient in end-stage renal failure and anemia. What is the cause of this patient’s anemia? a. Low serum iron levels b. Low erythropoietin levels c. Inadequate oxygenation of tissue d. Lack of B12 and folic acid intake Ans: B Feedback: Anemia can occur if erythropoietin levels are low. This is seen in association with renal failure, when the kidneys are no longer able to produce erythropoietin. Low iron levels, hypoxia, and vitamin deficiency are not likely...

1. A patient is admitted to the hospital with deep vein thrombosis. A 10,000-unit dose of heparin is administered subcutaneously. What drug does the nurse keep on hand to reverse the effects of heparin if the patient begins to bleed? a. Antithrombin (Thrombate III) b. Desirudin (Iprivask) c. Protamine sulfate d. Vitamin K Ans: C Feedback: The antidote for heparin is protamine sulfate. This drug forms stable salts as soon as it comes in contact with heparin. The reaction immediately reve...

1. The nursing instructor is talking with students about the renal system. What would the instructor tell the students about the renal system, especially how it helps maintain calcium levels in the body by regulating the activation of what? a. Vitamin A b. Vitamin B c. Vitamin C d. Vitamin D Ans: D Feedback: The renal system has four major functions in the body. One is regulating vitamin D activation, which helps maintain and regulate calcium levels. Vitamins A, B, and C are not associa...

1. When planning patient care the nurse recognizes what patient is at greatest risk of developing coronary artery disease? a. A 32-year-old Asian American with total cholesterol of 120 mg/dL b. A 62-year-old white American with total cholesterol of 260 mg/dL c. A 48-year-old African American with total cholesterol of 198 mg/dL d. A 26-year-old Native American with total cholesterol of 150 mg/dL Ans: B Feedback: White Americans have the highest incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD)....

1. A patient presents to the emergency department with rales, wheezing, and blood-tinged sputum. What does the nurse recognize that these symptoms indicate? a. Cardiomyopathy b. Cardiomegaly c. Valvular heart disease d. Pulmonary edema Ans: D Feedback: In left-sided heart failure, the left ventricle pumps inefficiently resulting in a backup of blood into the lungs causing pulmonary vessel congestion and fluid leaks into the alveoli and lung tissue. As more fluid continues to collect in ...

1. A patient with a history of atrial fibrillation has had a worsening of his or her condition. The nurse knows that the drug of choice for long-term stabilization of atrial fibrillation following electrocardioversion is what? a. Disopyramide (Norpace) b. Moricizine (Ethmozine) c. Procainamide (Pronestyl) d. Quinidine (generic) Ans: D Feedback: Quinidine is often the drug of choice for long-term stabilization of atrial fibrillation after the rhythm is converted by electrocardioversion. ...

1. A nurse is providing patient teaching to a patient who has been experiencing unstable angina. What will the nurse’s explanation of this condition include? a. A coronary vessel has become completely occluded and is unable to deliver blood to your heart. b. The pain is caused by a spasm of a blood vessel, not just from the vessel narrowing. c. There is serious narrowing of a coronary artery that is causing a reduction in oxygen to the heart. d. Your body’s response to a lack of oxygen i...