Chapter 8: Allergy and Respiratory Medications

Chapter 8: Allergy and Respiratory Medications

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A patient comes into the clinic complaining of a nonproductive cough and muscle aches that she has had for 5 days. She has no sore throat, temperature elevation, or swollen lymph nodes. She is coughing so much that she is unable to sleep at night. Which medication might the nurse expect the physician to order?

a.	Decongestant
b.	Expectorant
c.	Antitussive
d.	Antibiotic

 

 

ANS:  C

Antitussives are used for the relief of overactive or nonproductive coughs.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Apply                   REF:   p. 128             OBJ:   3

TOP:   Antitussives   KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

 

2. A patient is recovering from bronchitis. He is producing large amounts of thick mucus, especially in the mornings. What might the nurse expect the physician to do?

a.	Suggest he drink a glass of water with each meal.
b.	Suggest he drink two glasses of orange juice daily.
c.	Order an expectorant and tell the patient to force fluids.
d.	Order an antitussive.

 

 

ANS:  C

Expectorants decrease the thickness of respiratory secretions and aid in their removal. The patient should also take an increased amount of fluid each day and breathe humidified air. This will help liquefy secretions.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analyze                REF:   p. 141             OBJ:   6

TOP:   Expectorants                                   KEY:  Nursing Process Step: N/A

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort

 

3. A patient is experiencing severe headaches and pressure over her eyes. She feels congested but has no temperature elevation. There is a past history of sinus infection with this patient. What might the nurse expect the physician to order?

a.	Expectorant
b.	Antibiotic
c.	Antitussive
d.	Decongestant

 

 

ANS:  D

Decongestants directly affect the alpha receptors of blood vessels in the nasal mucosa, causing vasoconstriction.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Apply                   REF:   p. 140             OBJ:   2

TOP:   Decongestants                                 KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity

 

4. A patient is seen regularly for hypertension. When he comes today for his regular appointment, he asks for a decongestant, because he has a bad head cold. What would the nurse expect the physician to do?

a.	Order a decongestant.
b.	Order an antibiotic because of the possibility of infection.
c.	He would not order a decongestant because that medication might increase the patient’s hypertension.
d.	Order an expectorant and hydrate the patient.

 

 

ANS:  C

Decongestants should be used with caution in stable hypertensive patients.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Apply                   REF:   p. 141             OBJ:   2

TOP:   Decongestants                                 KEY:  Nursing Process Step: N/A

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

 

5. A 17-year-old high school wrestler comes in for his regularly scheduled appointment for asthma. He reports no acute problems now with wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or tightness in his chest. Which medication might he be a candidate for prophylactic treatment?

a.	Theochron
b.	Sus-Phrine
c.	Cromolyn sodium
d.	Proventil

 

 

ANS:  C

Cromolyn sodium is used for prophylaxis in treating asthma. It works by slowing down the destruction of sensitized mast cells and inhaled specific antigens.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Analyze                REF:   pp. 129-130    OBJ:   4

TOP:   Asthma          KEY:  Nursing Process Step: Diagnosis

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity