Chapter 55  Drugs Acting on the Lower Respiratory Tract

Chapter 55  Drugs Acting on the Lower Respiratory Tract

Complete Chapter Questions And Answers
 

Sample Questions

1. A 70-year-old man is being treated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with
theophylline (Theo-Dur). What will be a priority assessment by the nurse?

A) Ingestion of fatty foods

B) Weight

C) Activity level

D) Use of nicotine

Ans: D

Feedback:

Nutritional status, weight, and activity level would be important for a nurse to know about a COPD
patient. However, it would be most important for the nurse to know whether the patient smokes or uses
tobacco in other ways or smoking cessation methods that involve nicotine. Nicotine increases the
metabolism of theophyllines; the dosage may need to be increased to produce a therapeutic effect.

2. A 6-year-old child weighing 52 pounds has had a loading dose of aminophylline (Truphylline). The
nurse is ready to administer the regular prescribed dose of 4 mg/kg every 4 hours for three doses. How
many milligram will the patient receive in 12 hours?

A) 44 mg

B) 94 mg

C) 284 mg

D) 344 mg

Ans: C

Feedback:

First, using the formula: 2.2 pounds and 52 pounds: times kg, determine the child’s weight in kg
(52/2.2 = 23.64). Next, using the formula of amount of drug prescribed times weight in kg, determine
the amount the child will receive in one dose (4 times 23.64 = 94.56). To determine the mg in a 12-hour
period multiply 94.56 times 3 = 283.68. Round to 284 mg. Options A, B, and D are not correct.

3. A patient is in the clinic to have blood drawn to assess his or her theophylline level. The patient is

Test Bank – Focus on Nursing Pharmacology (7th Edition by Amy Karch) 899

taking theophylline (Theo-Dur) and appears to being doing well on the drug. He or she reports no
problems. What serum level will the nurse expect the patient to have?

A) Between 0.5 to 5 mcg/mL

B) Between 10 to 20 mcg/mL

C) Between 25 to 35 mcg/mL

D) Between 40 to 50 mcg/mL

Ans: B

Feedback:

Therapeutic theophylline levels should be between 10 and 20 mcg/mL. A level between 0.5 and 5
mcg/mL would be low and would not produce a therapeutic effect. Levels between 25 and 50 mcg/mL
would be too high and could cause serious adverse effects.

4. A patient presents to the emergency department (ED) having an acute asthma attack. An ED physician
has ordered a sympathomimetic (epinephrine). The nurse expects what as the therapeutic effect of this
drug?

A) Decrease the inflammatory response in the airways

B) Reduce the surface tension within the alveoli allowing for gas exchange

C) Inhibit the release of histamine and slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRSA) to prevent the
allergic asthmatic response

D) Cause dilation of the bronchi with increased rate and depth of respiration

Ans: D

Feedback:

Epinephrine will cause the bronchi to dilate and also cause the rate and depth of respiration to increase.
Inhaled steroids decrease the inflammatory response and lung surfactants reduce the surface tension
within the alveoli. Mast cell stabilizers inhibit the release of histamine and SRSA to prevent the allergic
response. Options A, B, and C are not correct.

5. An inhaled sympathomimetic drug has been ordered for a teenage athlete who has exercise-induced
asthma. What should the patient be instructed to do?

A) Use the inhaler every day at the same time each day.

B) Use the inhaler as soon as the symptoms start.

C) Use the inhaler 30 to 60 minutes before exercising to ensure peak therapeutic levels when needed.

D) Use the inhaler 2 to 3 hours before exercising to ensure peak effectiveness.

Ans: C

Feedback:

Teaching a patient about using an inhaled sympathomimetic for management of exercise-induced
asthma should include instructions to use the inhaler 30 to 60 minutes before exercising to ensure
therapeutic levels when needed. The inhaler would not be used daily and waiting until symptoms occur
will be too late for prevention. Options B and D are not correct.