Chapter 32: Drugs Used to Treat Oral Disorders

Chapter 32: Drugs Used to Treat Oral Disorders

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) uses a corticosteroid inhaler bid. Which adverse effect is associated with this medication?

a.	Mucositis
b.	Plaque
c.	Xerostomia
d.	Candidiasis

 

 

ANS:  D

Medications that predispose a patient to candidiasis are those that suppress the immune system, including immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, cytotoxics, and broad spectrum antibiotics. Educating patients on the importance of oral hygiene following prescribed inhalation dosages will assist in decreasing this complication. Mucositis, plaque, and xerostomia are not associated with steroid inhaler use.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   p. 512             OBJ:   1

TOP:   Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity

 

2. The nurse is assessing a patient’s mouth and notes white, milk curd–appearing plaques attached to the oral mucosa. Which condition is present?

a.	Thrush
b.	Canker sores
c.	Cold sores
d.	Mucositis

 

 

ANS:  A

Thrush is characterized by white, milk curd–appearing plaques that are attached to the oral mucosa. Canker sores can appear as ulcers 0.5 to 2 cm in diameter on surfaces that are not attached to bone, such as the tongue, gums, or inner lining of the cheeks and lips. Cold sores (“fever blisters”) are most commonly found at the junction of the mucous membrane and the skin of the lips or nostrils, although they can occur inside the mouth, especially affecting the gums and roof of the mouth. Mucositis is a general term used to describe a painful inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Knowledge            REF:   p. 512             OBJ:   1

TOP:   Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance

 

3. What is the primary pharmacologic therapy for Candida albicans?

a.	Steroids
b.	Antifungal agents
c.	Topical anesthetics
d.	Topical anti inflammatory agents

 

 

ANS:  B

Candida albicans is the most common oral infection appearing in extremely debilitated patients. Medications that predispose a person to C. albicans infections are those that depress the immune system and those that cause xerostomia. C. albicans is a fungus and therefore is treated with antifungal agents such as nystatin (Mycostatin). Steroids, topical anesthetics, and topical anti inflammatory agents are not used to treat C. albicans.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Knowledge            REF:   p. 512             OBJ:   2

TOP:   Nursing Process Step: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance

 

4. Which condition is treated by saliva substitutes?

a.	Caries
b.	Mucositis
c.	Xerostomia
d.	Halitosis

 

 

ANS:  C

Xerostomia, or lack of saliva, originates from nonoral causes. Xerostomia is treated by discontinuing medications that dry the mucous membranes or by artificial saliva products. Dentifrices are used to treat caries. Saliva substitutes are not used to treat mucositis. Mouthwash is used to treat halitosis, along with dentifrices.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Knowledge            REF:   p. 512             OBJ:   1 | 2

TOP:   Nursing Process Step: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance

 

5. Which information will the nurse include when teaching a patient about cold sores?

a.	Use of drying agents prevents the spread of secretions.
b.	Erupted lesions are not contagious.
c.	Eruptions are related to breaks in personal hygiene.
d.	Pus filled lesions indicate a secondary bacterial infection.

 

 

ANS:  D

Cold sore lesions first become visible as small red papules that later develop into 1 to 3 mm diameter fluid filled blisters. Over the following 10 to 14 days, a crust develops as the vesicles that burst coalesce into larger lesions. The liquid from the vesicles contains the live virus that can be transferred to other people by direct contact. The base of the lesions is erythematous. If pus develops in the vesicles or under the crust of a cold sore, a secondary bacterial infection may be present and the patient should seek medical attention. Drying agents are not used to treat cold sores. Cold sores are contagious. Eruptions are not necessarily related to poor personal hygiene.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Application           REF:   p. 511             OBJ:   1 | 2 | 3 | 4

TOP:   Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance