PHARM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS
A nurse is caring for a client prescribed the inhaled glucocorticoid beclomethasone
(QVAR) for the treatment of asthma. What is a potential adverse effect of this
medication and what are two (2) teaching points to discuss to address these adverse
effects?
Educate the client on always rinsing mouth out after using the asthma medication.
Salt water will help prevent the client from getting candidiasis. If client is
experiencing any type of oral discomfort like white patches in the mouth, soreness or
redness in the mucosal membrane, notify the provider quickly.
The adverse effects would be candidiasis, gradual hoarseness and difficulty speaking.
A nurse is instructing a client who has a new prescription for nitroglycerin
transdermal patch about administration. What instructions should the nurse include?
All transdermal patches are external use only. The skin must be dry and clean prior to
applying patch to skin. Apply daily to a different part of the chest, back, upper arm and
shoulder. If skin is irritated, find another location to place patch. Upon removing the
patch, fold the sticky sides together to prevent transmission of meds to another
person. The patches should be worn no more than 12 to 14 hrs daily. If a dose is
forgotten, just place a patch on the minute you remember
A nurse administering gemfibrozil to a client with elevated cholesterol. What are
adverse effects the nurse should monitor for?
Cough or a hoarseness, chills and fever. Also monitoring for cholelithiasis, pancreatitis
is vital along with monitoring for any type of bladder pain, painful when they urinate,
also side and lower back pain. There are also less serious side effects like nausea,
vomiting, stomach pain, spasms and muscle cramps
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for raloxifene. What are
contraindications for this medication that the nurse should discuss with the client?
Pregnancy or planning to become pregnant is a contraindication for this medication.
Also breast feeding and taking this medication is another contraindication. Moreover,
having venous issues like DVT, pulmonary embolism are also contraindication.
A nurse is providing instructions to a client who has a prescription for methotrexate.
What should the nurse include in the client education?
Educate female clients that becoming pregnant while taking this medication would not
be wise and to wait at least 6 mos after discontinuing this med, before becoming
pregnant. Methotrexate can be hard on the kidneys so stay well hydrated, 2 to 3L
daily. Also advise them to monitor their stools to see if any bleeding has occurred.
Such as tarry black stools and coffee ground emesis. This would be a sign of bleeding.
Advise client to avoid alcohol based mouth washes and to monitor the inside of the
mouth (mucosal) daily
