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GCC Pharmacology
GCC Pharmacology
Total Questions : 52
Showing 10 questions Sign up for moreThe nurse is instructing a patient who will take psyllium (Metamucil) to treat constipation.
What information will the nurse include when teaching this patient?
Explanation
The correct answer is c. The importance of consuming adequate amounts of water.
Rationale for Choice A:
- Statement:The need to monitor for systemic side effects.
- Rationale:It's not accurate to prioritize monitoring for systemic side effects when teaching a patient about psyllium (Metamucil).Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative that primarily acts within the gastrointestinal tract,and systemic side effects are rare.While it's essential to be aware of potential side effects,focusing on them during initial teaching might cause unnecessary anxiety.
Rationale for Choice B:
- Statement:The need to use the dry form of Metamucil to prevent cramping.
- Rationale:This statement is incorrect.It's generally recommended to mix psyllium with water or another liquid before ingestion.Consuming the dry form can increase the risk of choking and might not adequately hydrate stool.
Rationale for Choice C:
- Statement:The importance of consuming adequate amounts of water.
- Rationale:This is the most crucial information to emphasize when teaching about psyllium.Psyllium works by absorbing water and forming a bulky gel that softens stool and promotes bowel movements.Without sufficient water intake,psyllium can cause constipation to worsen or lead to intestinal obstruction.
Rationale for Choice D:
- Statement:The onset of action of 30 to 60 minutes after administration.
- Rationale:This statement is inaccurate.Psyllium is not a fast-acting laxative.It typically takes 12-72 hours to produce a bowel movement.Informing patients about the expected time frame for results is essential to manage expectations and prevent unnecessary medication overuse.
The client is 34 years old and has recently started taking theophylline.
The nurse knows that medication teaching has been successful when the client agrees to what activity?
Explanation
It works by relaxing the smooth muscles of the airways and increasing airflow to the lungs.
However, theophylline has a narrow therapeutic range and can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, insomnia, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias if the blood level is too high.
Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase the effects of theophylline and raise the risk of toxicity.
Therefore, patients taking theophylline should avoid caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee, tea, cola, and energy drinks.
Choice A is wrong because eating foods high in potassium has no effect on theophylline metabolism or action.
Potassium is an electrolyte that is important for nerve and muscle function, but it does not interact with theophylline.
Choice C is wrong because taking the medication on an empty stomach can increase the absorption of theophylline and cause gastric irritation.
Theophylline should be taken with food or milk to reduce stomach upset and prevent fluctuations in blood levels.
Choice D is wrong because limiting fluid intake to 1,000 mL a day can cause dehydration and increase the concentration of theophylline in the blood.
Theophylline
A college student with migraine headaches that cause nausea and vomiting has been prescribed trimethobenzamide.
The nurse should caution the student to avoid using which substance?
Explanation
The nurse should caution the student to avoid using alcohol with trimethobenzamide because this combination can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired reactions. Alcohol can also worsen the symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
Choice A is wrong because St.
John’s wort is a herbal supplement that is used to treat depression and anxiety.
It does not interact with trimethobenzamide.
Choice C is wrong because calcium channel blockers are a class of medications that are used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems.
They do not interact with trimethobenzamide.
Choice D is wrong because selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of medications that are used to treat depression and anxiety.
They do not interact with trimethobenzamide.
Trimethobenzamide is an antihistamine that works by blocking the D receptor in the brain and suppressing the chemoreceptor trigger zone that causes nausea and vomiting.
It is available as an oral capsule or an intramuscular injection.
It can cause side effects such as skin rash, tremors, parkinsonism, and jaundice.
It should not be used in children or people with liver or kidney disease.
The nurse teaches the client to best promote optimal GI function by including what in the daily routine?
Explanation
This is because a nutritious diet provides adequate fiber and nutrients for the GI tract, avoiding alcohol prevents dehydration and irritation of the GI mucosa, and cautious use of laxatives prevents dependency and electrolyte imbalance.
Choice A is wrong because caffeine can stimulate the GI motility and cause diarrhea or cramps.
Choice C is wrong because some prescription medications can affect the GI function, such as antibiotics, opioids, or antacids.
Increased fluid intake is good, but not enough to promote optimal GI function.
Vigorous exercise can also cause GI distress or dehydration.
Choice D is wrong because adequate fluid intake is essential for preventing constipation and maintaining hydration.
Exercise can also help with bowel movements and overall health.
Normal ranges for GI function vary depending on the individual, but generally, a person should have at least one bowel movement every 3 days and no more than 3 bowel movements per day.
The stool should be soft, formed, and easy to pass.
A client who has chronic bronchial asthma has had a mast cell stabilizer prescribed.
What drug would the provider prescribe?
Explanation
Choice A.Isoetharine is a bronchodilator that works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing. It is not a mast cell stabilizer.
Choice B is wrong because aminophylline is a bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles in the airways and is used in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is not a mast cell stabilizer.
Choice C is wrong becauseIpratropium is an anticholinergic bronchodilator that helps to open up the airways in the lungs. It is used in the treatment of COPD and sometimes asthma, but it is not a mast cell stabilizer.
Choice D. Cromolyn is a mast cell stabilizer that helps prevent the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation and asthma symptoms. It is used for the prevention of asthma attacks and is particularly effective in managing exercise-induced asthma and allergic asthma triggers.
The home care nurse is caring for an older adult client who has type 1 diabetes. The client has visual impairment and cannot read the numbers on the syringe when preparing insulin for administration nor afford the cost of prefilled auto syringes.
What strategy might the nurse use to help this client comply with insulin needs between visits?
Explanation
This strategy can help the client read the numbers on the syringe and prepare the correct dose of insulin. A magnifying glass is also an affordable and accessible tool for the client.
Choice A is wrong because preparing a week’s supply of syringes and refrigerating them can affect the potency and sterility of insulin.
It can also increase the risk of errors or confusion.
Choice B is wrong because asking a neighbor to come over every day to prepare the medication can compromise the client’s privacy and independence.
It can also be unreliable and inconvenient for both parties.
Choice D is wrong because changing the client to oral antidiabetics is not possible for type 1 diabetes.
People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin for life because their pancreas cannot make insulin.
Oral antidiabetics are only effective for people with type 2 diabetes who have functioning pancreatic beta cells
The nurse is caring for a client with renal dysfunction who requires an oral antidiabetic agent.
What drug will the nurse expect to see ordered?
Explanation
Tolbutamide is preferred for clients with renal dysfunction, who may not be able to excrete chlorpropamide, because it is more easily cleared from the body.
Choice B. Tolazamide is wrong because it is a first-generation sulfonylurea that is used less frequently and is usually tried after tolbutamide and chlorpropamide have been shown to be ineffective.
Choice C. Chlorpropamide is wrong because it is a first-generation sulfonylurea that may accumulate in clients with renal dysfunction and cause hypoglycemia.
Choice D. Chlorpromazine is wrong because it is an antipsychotic agent, not an oral antidiabetic agent.
First-generation sulfonylureas are oral antidiabetic agents that stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreas.
They are used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The normal range of blood glucose level is 70 to 110 mg/dL.
A client with type 2 diabetes presents at the clinic for a routine follow-up appointment. The client asks the nurse whether he or she can take the herbal supplement ginseng.
What is the correct response by the nurse?
Explanation
Ginseng is a herbal supplement that may have some antidiabetic effects, such as improving glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. However, ginseng may also interact with certain diabetes medications, especially insulin and sulfonylureas, and cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)2. Therefore, the nurse should inform the client about this potential risk and advise them to consult their doctor before taking ginseng.
Choice B is wrong because there is a reason ginseng cannot be taken by people with diabetes without medical supervision.
As explained above, ginseng may lower blood glucose levels too much and cause hypoglycemia.
Choice C is wrong because there is some research to indicate what effect ginseng will have on diabetes.
Several studies have shown that ginseng may have beneficial effects on blood glucose control, but also some adverse effects such as hypoglycemia.
Choice D is wrong because ginseng does not increase the risk for high blood
The client, newly diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, asks what caused this disorder.
What is the nurse’s best response?
Explanation
Oxygen cannot diffuse rapidly across the membrane to tissues in the eye. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This damage can reduce the oxygen supply to the retina and lead to vision problems.
Choice A is wrong because cells in the eye can reproduce normally, but they may not function properly due to high blood sugar levels or lack of oxygen.
Choice B is wrong because diabetic retinopathy does not affect the production of aqueous humor, which is the fluid that fills the front part of the eye.
However, diabetes can cause another eye condition called glaucoma, which is caused by increased pressure from too much aqueous humor.
Choice C is wrong because diabetic retinopathy does not affect the nerve innervations throughout the eye.
However, diabetes can cause another eye condition called diabetic neuropathy, which is caused by damage to the nerves that control eye movement and pupil dilation.
The client, newly diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, asks what caused this disorder.
What is the nurse’s best response?
Explanation
Oxygen cannot diffuse rapidly across the membrane to tissues in the eye. This is because diabetic retinopathy is a condition that occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. As a result, the retina becomes ischemic (lacking oxygen) and tries to grow new blood vessels that are fragile and leaky.
Choice A is wrong because inability of cells in the eye to reproduce is not a cause of diabetic retinopathy.
The retina has a high metabolic rate and needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients to function properly.
Choice B is wrong because increase of aqueous humor in the eye is not a cause of diabetic retinopathy.
Aqueous humor is the clear fluid that fills the front part of the eye, not the retina.
An increase of aqueous humor can cause glaucoma, which is a different eye disorder that affects the optic nerve.
Choice C is wrong because decrease of nerve innervations throughout the eye is not a cause of diabetic retinopathy.
Nerve innervations are the connections between nerves and other tissues, such as muscles or glands.
Diabetic retinopathy affects the blood vessels, not the nerves, of the retina.
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