ATI LPN
Pharmacology and the Nursing Process 10th Edition Test Bank
Chapter 36 : Antihistamines, Decongestants, Antitussives, and Expectorants Questions
Question 1 of 5
A child will be receiving diphenhydramine (Benadryl), 5 mg/kg/day, in divided doses, every 6 hours. The child weighs 80 pounds. Identify how many milligrams of medication will the child receive with each dose.
Correct Answer: 45.5 mg
Rationale: 80 pounds ?· 2.2 = 36.36 kg, which rounds to 36.4 kg; 5 mg/kg/day ?? 36.4 kg = 182 mg/day. With doses given every 6 hours, there will be 4 total doses in a 24-hour period (24 ?· 6 = 4).
To calculate milligrams per dose: 182 mg/day ?· 4 doses/day = 45.5 mg/dose.
Question 2 of 5
A patient will be receiving diphenhydramine via a PEG tube, 25 mg, every 8 hours for an allergic rash. The medication is available as a 12.5 mg/5 mL syrup. Identify how many milliliters will the nurse administer with each dose.
Correct Answer: 10 mL
Rationale: 12.5 mg : 5 mL :: 25 mg : x mL; (12.5 * x) = (5 * 25); 12.5x = 125; x = 125/12.5 = 10 mL.
Question 3 of 5
When giving dextromethorphan, the nurse understands that this drug suppresses the cough reflex by which mechanism of action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dextromethorphan suppresses the cough reflex through a direct action on the cough center. The other options are incorrect.
Question 4 of 5
During a routine checkup, a patient states that she is unable to take the prescribed antihistamine because of one of its most common adverse effects. The nurse suspects that which adverse effect has been bothering this patient?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Drowsiness is usually the main side effect that bothers people who take antihistamines.
Question 5 of 5
A gardener needs a decongestant because of sinus problems and asks the nurse whether he should take an oral form or a nasal spray. Which of these is a benefit of orally administered decongestants?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Drugs administered by the oral route produce prolonged decongestant effects, but the onset of action is more delayed and the effect less potent than those of decongestants applied topically. However, the clinical problem of rebound congestion associated with topically administered drugs is almost nonexistent with oral dosage forms.