Pharm Chpt 36 Drugs for Viral Infections NCLEX Questions

Pharm Chpt 36 "Drugs for Viral Infections" NCLEX Questions

When the client is started on antiretroviral drugs for HIV, it will be important for the nurse to teach the client which of the following?

• This drug will cure the disease over a period of time.
• This drug will not cure the disease, but could extend the life expectancy.
• This type of drug will be used prior to vaccines.
• This drug is readily available all over the world for treatment. - Answer: b. This drug

will not cure the disease, but could extend the life expectancy.

Objective: Explain the purpose and expected outcomes of HIV pharmacotherapy.

Rationale: Drug therapy has not produced a cure, but it has resulted in a number of therapeutic successes.

The ________ therapy goal is to reduce the plasma HIV RNA to its lowest possible level.

• HAART
• RAART
• NINRT

d. NRTI - Answer: a. HAART

Objective: Explain the advantages of HAART in the pharmacotherapy of HIV infection.

Rationale: HAART therapy is nearly always initiated during the acute phase, before severe symptoms occur.

The laboratory test that must be assessed while on drug therapy for HIV-AIDS is:

• A CBC.
• A clotting factor (PT/PTT).
• Blood cultures.

d. A CD4 lymphocyte count. - Answer: d. A CD4 lymphocyte count.

Objective: For each of the classes listed in Drugs at a Glance, know representative drugs, and explain the mechanisms of drug action, primary actions, and important adverse effects.

Rationale: Two laboratory tests used to guide pharmacotherapy are an absolute CD4 count and a measurement of the amount of HIV RNA.

The client receiving drug therapy for HIV-AIDS should be aware that:

• Blood tests will be drawn at least every 6 weeks.
• HIV RNA counts will be performed every 3-6 months.
• Therapy over many years will not encourage viral resistance.
• Though the medications are expensive, the side effects are limited. - Answer: b. HIV

RNA counts will be performed every 3-6 months.

Objective: Categorize drugs used in the treatment of viral infections based on their classifications and mechanisms of action.

Rationale: HIV RNA and CD4 lymphocytes will be performed every 3-6 months to

assess the degree of success of drug therapy.

The standard drug therapy for antivirals for HIV-AIDS can include which of the following?

• Zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT)
• Acyclovir (Zovirax)
• Rimantadine (Flumadine)

d. Interferon alpha-2b (Intron A) - Answer: a. Zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT)

Objective: Explain the advantages of HAART in the pharmacotherapy of HIV infection.

Rationale: Aggressive treatment with as many as four drugs concurrently, a regimen called highly active antiretroviral therapy, is used to reduce the plasma level of HIV to its lowest possible level. This treatment is called HAART.

When providing client and family education on the nucleoside reverse transcriptase

inhibitor drug for HIV-AIDS, the nurse would include instructions:

• To take the medicine on an empty stomach.
• To take the medicine on a full stomach.
• To take the medicine with apple juice to decrease the taste.
• To take the medicine with orange juice to increase absorption. - Answer: a. To take

the medicine on an empty stomach.

Objective: Use the nursing process to care for clients receiving drug therapy for viral infections.

Rationale: The medicine should be taken on an empty stomach for absorption.

A client is concerned about contracting influenza. The best response by the nurse would

be:

• "After the vaccination, you will be protected in about two weeks."
• "Once you are vaccinated, you will only need a booster every two years."
• "You would only need to be vaccinated if you are over 50 years of age."
• "The infectious particles are not easily spread, and you can wait on vaccination until

there is an increase in the population." - Answer: a. "After the vaccination, you will be protected in about two weeks."

Objective: Use the nursing process to care for clients receiving drug therapy for viral infections.

Rationale: Adequate immunity is achieved about two weeks after vaccination.

A client wants to be vaccinated against hepatitis. The nurse would inform the client that

the vaccine available is for:

• Hepatitis B only.
• Hepatitis A and B.
• Hepatitis B and C.

d. Hepatitis non A and non B. - Answer: b. Hepatitis A and B.