Chapter 2: Basic Principles of Drug Action and Drug Interactions

Chapter 2: Basic Principles of Drug Action and Drug Interactions

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The nurse assesses hives in a patient started on a new medication. What is the nurse’s priority action?

ANS:  A

An allergic reaction is indicative of hypersensitivity and manifests with hives and/or urticaria, which are easily identified. An idiosyncratic reaction occurs when something unusual or abnormal happens when a drug is first administered. A teratogenic reaction refers to the occurrence of birth defects related to administration of the drug. Tolerance refers to the body’s requirement for increasing dosages to achieve the same effects that a lower dose once did.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   p. 17               OBJ:   7

TOP:   Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity

2. The nurse administers an initial dose of a steroid to a patient with asthma. Thirty minutes after administration, the nurse finds the patient agitated and stating that “everyone is out to get me.” What is the term for this unusual reaction?

ANS:  C

Idiosyncratic reactions are unusual, abnormal reactions that occur when a drug is first administered. Patients typically exhibit an overresponsiveness to a medication related to diminished metabolism. These reactions are believed to be related to genetic enzyme deficiencies. Desired actions are expected responses to a medication. Adverse effects are reactions that occur in another system of the body; they are usually predictable. Allergic reactions appear after repeated medication dosages.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension     REF:   p. 17               OBJ:   7

TOP:   Nursing Process Step: Evaluation

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity

3. Which is the best description of when drug interactions occur?

ANS:  C

Drug interactions may be characterized by an increase or decrease in the effectiveness of one or both of the drugs. Toxicity of one drug may or may not affect the metabolism of another one. Drug interactions may result from either increased or decreased pharmacodynamics. Drug interactions may result from either increased or decreased excretion.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension     REF:   p. 17               OBJ:   8

TOP:   Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity

4. What occurs when two drugs compete for the same receptor site, resulting in increased activity of the first drug?

ANS:  D

The displacement of the first drug from receptor sites by a second drug increases the amount of the first drug because more unbound drug is available. An expected response of a drug is the desired action. A synergistic effect is the effect of two drugs being greater than the effect of each chemical individually, or the sum of the individual effects. Carcinogenicity is the ability of a drug to cause cells to mutate and become cancerous.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension     REF:   p. 17               OBJ:   9

TOP:   Nursing Process Step: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity

5. What do drug blood levels indicate?

ANS:  D

The amount of drug present may vary over time and the blood level must remain in a therapeutic range in order to obtain the desired result. Generic drugs do not necessarily produce a different drug blood level than proprietary medications. Body fat is not measured by drug blood levels. Drug blood levels only measure the amount of drug in the body; they do not determine the source of the medication.

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Comprehension     REF:   p. 16               OBJ:   7

TOP:   Nursing Process Step: Evaluation

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity