ATI LPN
Pharmacology and the Nursing Process 10th Edition Test Bank
Chapter 40 : Antiviral Drugs Questions
Question 1 of 5
An infant has been hospitalized with a severe lung infection caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and will be receiving medication via the inhalation route. The nurse expects which drug to be used?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The inhalational form of ribavirin (Virazole) is used primarily in the treatment of hospitalized infants with severe lower respiratory tract infections caused by RSV.
Question 2 of 5
A patient who is HIV-positive has been receiving medication therapy that includes zidovudine. However, the prescriber has decided to stop the zidovudine because of its dose-limiting adverse effect. Which of these conditions is the dose-limiting adverse effect of zidovudine therapy?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Bone marrow suppression is often the reason that a patient with HIV infection has to be switched to another anti-HIV drug such as didanosine. The two drugs can be taken together, cutting back on the dosages of both and thus decreasing the likelihood of toxicity.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is administering intravenous acyclovir to a patient with a viral infection. Which administration technique is correct?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Intravenous infusions must be diluted as recommended (e.g., with 5% dextrose in water or normal saline) and infused with caution. Infusion over longer than 1 hour is suggested to avoid the renal tubular damage seen with more rapid infusions. Adequate hydration should be encouraged (unless contraindicated) during the infusion and for several hours afterward to prevent drug-related crystalluria. Intravenous acyclovir is stable for 12 hours at room temperature and will often precipitate when refrigerated.
Question 4 of 5
A patient is receiving a ribavirin aerosol treatment. Which precaution is important for the pregnant health care provider?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pregnant health care providers or those wishing to become pregnant must stay out of the patient rooms when the aerosol form is being administered, due to the potential for secondhand inhalation on the part of the health care provider. Ribavirin is classified as a pregnancy category X drug and carries a black box warning relating to significant teratogenic and/or embryocidal effects.
Question 5 of 5
A patient is taking a combination of antiviral drugs as treatment for early stages of a viral infection. While discussing the drug therapy, the patient asks the nurse if the drugs will kill the virus. When answering, the nurse keeps in mind which fact about antiviral drugs?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Because viruses reproduce in human cells, selective killing is difficult; consequently, many healthy human cells, in addition to virally infected cells, may be killed in the process, and this results in the serious toxicities that are involved with these drugs.