Nursing Pharmacology Assignment

Nursing Pharmacology Assignment

General Instructions: 

1. Section A: For each question circle or highlight the correct answer(s), and then explain why the other choices are incorrect. (1 point each)

A client is prescribed lorazepam (Ativan) for anxiety. What adverse effect would the nurse instruct the client to report when taking this drug?

1. Dizziness when standing up
2. Daytime sleepiness
3. Decreased appetite
4. Slurred speech

. The nurse should question a health care provider’s order of phenobarbital (Luminol) for the
client with which conditions?

1. Anesthesia for surgery
2. Renal disease
3. Seizure disorder
4. Difficulty sleeping
5. A client who has been taking benzodiazepines for several years suddenly decides to stop taking the medication. For what symptoms of acute withdrawal will the nurse monitor?
6. Weakness, delirium, seizures
7. Blurred vision, orthostatic hypotension
8. Sore throat, fever, jaundice
9. Sleep disturbances

A nurse is monitoring the client newly prescribed lithium carbonate (Eskalith). The nurse monitors the client for which adverse effects found early in lithium therapy.

1. Nausea, vomiting, and confusion
2. Oliguria
3. Irregular heart rate
4. Elevated blood pressure

 

The nurse is teaching a client about newly prescribed phenelzine (Nardil) The nurse would instruct the client to avoid which food or beverage?

1. Cream cheese
2. Beer and wine
3. Caffeine-containing beverages
4. Oranges and other citrus fruits

 

The client is receiving the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) isocarboxazid (Marplan). The nurse monitors the client for which drug-food interaction with foods containing tyramine?

1. Hypertensive crisis
2. Suicide
3. Electrolyte imbalance
4. Irreversible pulmonary disease

7. A client tells the nurse he has not taken his antipsychotic drug for the past 2 weeks because of adverse effects The nurse monitors the client for which manifestations?
8. High fever
9. Muscle spasms
10. Shuffling gait
11. Symptoms of psychosis

. A patient with a history of epilepsy is taking Phenytoin The patient’s morning labs are back and the patient’s Phenytoin level is 7 mcg/mL Based on this finding the nurse will?

1. Assess the patient for a rash
2. b. Initiate seizure precautions
3. Hold the next dose of Phenytoin
4. Continue to monitor the patient

9. Which assessment finding indicates a client prescribed donepezil (Aricept) for Alzheimer’s disease is experiencing an adverse effect? Select all that apply.
10. Vivid dreams
11. Weight gain
12. Irregular heart rate
13. Restlessness
14. Muscle cramps

Section B: Essay (Total 41 Points)

1. First explain why levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) is prescribed to treat Parkinson’s, over straight dopamine; and then explain what drug, if needed, would be added to the regimen to control tremors, and why. (6 points)
2. Explain the differences between Extrapyramidal Side Effects (EPS), and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), using examples of assessment findings, and nursing management for each. (5 points)

1. For each of the following classifications choose one prototype drug, and fully address each of the 5 bullet points below: (Each classification worth 5 points)

• One medical diagnosis for which the drug would be indicated as a treatment
• What the presenting signs/symptoms would a client with this diagnosis have
• MOA for the drug
• Nursing Responsibilities in managing the care of a client on the drug
  • Labs
  • Assessments
  • Patient Teaching
• What assessment findings would indicate use of the drug is successful/therapeutic

1. Cholinergic Agonists
2. Cholinergic Antagonists
3. Adrenergic Agonists
4. Adrenergic Antagonists
5. Antiseizure (preventive management)
6. Antiseizure (emergency treatment status epilepticus)