Chapter 10 Antiviral Agents

1. The nurse explains why viruses are so difficult to treat when making what statement?

A) Viruses are contained inside the human cell and cannot be destroyed without destroying the cell.

B) Release of interferons by the host cell makes the virus replicate more quickly allowing the virus to
spread.

C) Drugs exist to treat all viral infections but they carry serious adverse effects and the benefit often
does not outweigh the risk.

D) Individual antiviral drugs are often effective in treating many different viruses because one virus in
a category behaves like others in the same category.

Ans: A

Feedback:

Because viruses are contained inside human cells while they are in the body, researchers have difficulty
developing effective drugs that destroy a virus without harming the human host. Interferons are
released by the host in response to viral invasion of a cell and act to prevent the replication of that
particular virus. Some interferons that affect particular viruses can now be genetically engineered to
treat particular viral infections. Other drugs that are used in treating viral infections are not natural
substances and have been effective against only a limited number of viruses. Very few viruses are
treatable with medications; a few more can be prevented through immunization but most have no
known treatment. Each antiviral is generally only suited to treat the single virus it was developed for
and will not be effective against other viruses.

2. While calculating the drug dose of antiviral medications for children who have AIDS a pediatric nurse
uses what?

A) The viral complications

B) The child’s age

C) The severity of the virus

D) The child’s weight

Ans: D

Feedback:

Test Bank – Focus on Nursing Pharmacology (7th Edition by Amy Karch) 156

Antiviral medication dosages for children are calculated according to weight. There is no scientific data
available concerning dosages based on complications or severity of illness. The ethical dilemma using
children in drug studies is always a concern. Children must be monitored very carefully for adverse
effects on kidneys, bone marrow, and the liver. The complications and severity of the disease may
determine which drug is prescribed.

3. A patient taking nevirapine (Viramune) as part of combination therapy for treatment of HIV took 200
mg/daily PO for 14 days. The patient is now taking 200 mg PO bid. How many mg of the medication is
the patient taking daily?

A) 100 mg

B) 200 mg

C) 300 mg

D) 400 mg

Ans: D

Feedback:

The patient is to take 200 mg bid, which means twice a day. (200 times 2 equals 400 mg daily.)

4. What medication is only administered intravenously and is used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV)?

A) Cidofovir (Vistide)

B) Foscarnet (Foscavir)

C) Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

D) Valganciclovir (Valcyte)

Ans: B

Feedback:

Foscarnet (Foscavir) is administered IV only. Ganciclovir and (Cytovene) can be administered by IV
and orally. Valganciclovir (Valcyte) and Valacyclovir (Valtrex) are administered only by the oral route.

5. A hospitalized patient is receiving an antiviral drug to treat cytomegalovirus. What is the nurse’s
priority action after administering the antiviral drug?

A) Monitor vital signs every hour.

B) Decrease fluid intake.

C) Keep side rails up.

D) Encourage the patient to ambulate 10 minutes after each dose.

Ans: C

Feedback:

Antiviral drugs for herpes and cytomegalovirus can cause confusion, dizziness, and other central
nervous system (CNS) effects. Side rails should be up after administration to protect the patient from
injury until risk for these adverse effects is lowered because not every patient will experience these
effects. The patient should not be encouraged to walk after each dose because of the risk of falls if
adverse effects occur. Fluid intake should be slightly increased to help decrease risk of nephrotoxicity.
Vital signs should be monitored, but it would not be necessary to take them every hour unless serious
adverse effects occur.