Chapter 29: Drugs Used to Treat Upper Respiratory Disease Clayton/Willihnganz: Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 17th Edition

Which is a serious adverse effect of decongestants?

Hypertension

The nurse is teaching a patient about the administration of antihistamines. The nurse will instruct the patient to take the medication at what time of day?

45 minutes before exposure to an allergen

What can result if a patient overuses topical decongestants?

Secondary congestion

A patient at sports camp is complaining of itchy and watery eyes, coughing, and sneezing when outdoors. The patient's chart states that he has an allergy to grasses. Which medication will the nurse administer?

Antihistamine

Which medication may be given to patients with allergic seasonal rhinitis who do not respond to antihistamines and sympathomimetics?

Corticosteroids

What initiates the sneeze reflex?

Irritation of the nasal mucosa by foreign particulate matter

What occurs in the nasal structures when cholinergic fibers are stimulated?

Production of serous and mucous secretions in the nostrils

What process in the antigen-antibody reaction causes the symptoms of allergies?

Release of histamine

Which instruction will the nurse include when teaching a patient with seasonal rhinitis and blocked nasal passages about intranasal corticosteroid therapy?

"Use a decongestant prior to administration."

The clinic nurse is assessing a patient being seen for a severe allergic reaction to environmental allergens. Which symptom should the nurse prioritize as the most important?

Dyspnea

A college student is being seen at an outpatient clinic with reports of allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis. The health care provider orders fexofenadine. When providing information regarding this medication, the nurse will include statements indicating that

fexofenadine is one of the least sedating antihistamines.

When does allergic rhinitis occur? (Select all that apply.)

Nasal mucosa become inflamed.

Exposure as a result of an allergen produces inflammation.

Histamine is released following allergen exposure.

Which action(s) is/are true of antihistamines? (Select all that apply.)

Reduce inflammation locally

Antagonize H1 receptors

May be administered orally

Are systemically distributed

The nurse is preparing education for a patient who has developed rebound nasal congestion resulting from use of topical decongestants. What information will the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)

For future topical decongestant use, follow the dosage directions daily. Do not overuse.

Stop the topical decongestant at once.

Nasal steroid solutions can be used but may take several days to reduce inflammation and congestion.

Use nasal saline spray to moisturize irritated mucosa.

Which patient(s) would be able to take an alpha-adrenergic decongestant safely? (Select all that apply.)

24-year-old woman with allergic rhinitis

18-year-old man with cold symptoms

Which principle(s) will the nurse include in a teaching plan for antihistamine therapy? (Select all that apply.)

Dietary fiber and fluids should be increased.

Do not take with prescription medications unless approved by a physician.

Blurred vision is an expected adverse effect.

Which topically active aerosol steroids are highly effective for reducing sneezing, nasal itching, stuffiness, and rhinorrhea? (Select all that apply.)

Beclomethasone (Beconase AQ)

Fluticasone (Flonase)

Flunisolide (Nasarel)

Budesonide (Rhinocort Aqua)

The nurse is providing counseling to a patient on cromolyn sodium (Nasalcrom) nasal spray. Information relayed to the patient will include that (Select all that apply.)

the patient should blow the nose before nasal instillation.

the maximum is six sprays in each nostril daily.