The nurse is reviewing the use of antitussive drugs. Antitussive drugs would be most appropriate for which patient?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because antitussive drugs are used to suppress coughing. In the case of a patient who has developed bronchitis 2 days after abdominal surgery, coughing can be painful and may strain the surgical site. Therefore, using antitussive drugs to reduce the coughing can help prevent complications and promote healing post-surgery. A, B, and C are incorrect: A: Antitussive drugs are not appropriate for a patient with pneumonia and productive cough because coughing helps clear the airways of excess mucus. B: Antitussive drugs are not suitable for a patient with a tracheostomy and thick mucus secretions as coughing helps clear the secretions and prevent infections. C: Antitussive drugs are not indicated for a patient with a productive cough for 2 weeks as this may be a sign of an underlying condition that needs to be addressed rather than suppressed.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Tachyphylaxis refers to a rapid decrease in response to a drug upon repeated or continuous administration. The correct answer is B because it specifically mentions "very rapidly developing tolerance," which accurately describes tachyphylaxis. Option A is incorrect because tachyphylaxis is not related to drug interactions. Option C is incorrect because tachyphylaxis is characterized by a quick onset of decreased responsiveness, not taking days or weeks to develop. Option D is incorrect as tachyphylaxis is a recognized phenomenon in pharmacology.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Tetracaine. Tetracaine is a long-acting local anesthetic commonly used for regional nerve block anesthesia due to its duration of action. It provides effective and prolonged pain relief in a specific area by blocking nerve conduction. Procaine (A) is a short-acting local anesthetic, making it less suitable for regional nerve block anesthesia. Bupivacaine (D) is a long-acting local anesthetic like tetracaine, but it is more commonly used for epidural or spinal anesthesia rather than regional nerve blocks. Therefore, tetracaine is the most appropriate choice for regional nerve block anesthesia among the options provided.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Scopolamine. Scopolamine is a muscarinic receptor-blocking drug that antagonizes the action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors. Scopolamine is commonly used for its anticholinergic effects, such as reducing salivation and mucous secretion. B: Pipecuronium is a neuromuscular blocking agent that acts at the neuromuscular junction, not at muscarinic receptors. C: Trimethaphan is a ganglionic blocker that acts at the autonomic ganglia, not at muscarinic receptors. D: Pilocarpine is a muscarinic receptor agonist, not a muscarinic receptor blocker. It is used to stimulate muscarinic receptors for various therapeutic purposes.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C (Pancuronium). Pancuronium is a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocker that can cause tachycardia by blocking muscarinic receptors leading to the inhibition of the parasympathetic system. This results in the dominance of the sympathetic system, leading to tachycardia. Tubocurarine (A) and Atracurium (B) are also non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers, but they do not directly cause tachycardia. Succinylcholine (D) is a depolarizing neuromuscular blocker that can cause bradycardia due to its effects on acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction.