Question 1 A 15-year-old boy is being carefully monitored for a skin infection and is being given ciprofloxacin. The nurse will observe for which of the following?

A) Arthropathy
B) Colitis
C) Hepatitis
D) Hypotension

Question 2 A patient has been admitted to the critical care unit of the hospital with bacterial septicemia that has failed to respond to initial antibiotic treatment. The patient’s most recent blood cultures reveal the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the patient’s blood. The nurse will anticipate that this patient will likely require intravenous administration of what antibiotic?

A) Vancomycin
B) Penicillin G
C) Cefazolin
D) Doripenem (Doribax)

Question 3 Mr. Laird is a 49-year-old electrician who experienced severe burns on his trunk, arms, and hands in a workplace accident 2 weeks ago. Part of his current wound care regimen involves the daily application of silver sulfadiazine to his wounds.The nurses who are providing care for Mr. Laird in the burns and plastics unit of the hospital should perform what action when administering this medication?

A) Apply a layer of silver sulfadiazine that is sufficiently thick to make the wound bed invisible.
B) Cleanse the wound of debris prior to applying the silver sulfadiazine
C) Apply a thin layer of the drug to Mr. Laird’s wound beds using clean technique.
D) Perform thorough wound care immediately after the application of silver sulfadiazine

Question 4 A patient is prescribed ganciclovir to treat a CMV infection. An oral dosage is prescribed. To help increase bioavailability of the drug, the nurse will encourage the patient to take the medication

A) with high-fat meals
B) with orange juice
C) on an empty stomach
D) with high-protein meals

Question 5 A patient has endocarditis and is taking gentamicin. The nurse will be sure to monitor which of the following?

A) Potassium level
B) Creatinine clearance
C) Serum albumin level
D) Prothrombin time

Question 6 A 30-year-old woman who is in the first trimester of pregnancy has presented to her primary care provider with a 4-day history of a reddened, itchy left eye that is crusted with purulent exudate. The clinician suspects a bacterial, rather than viral, etiology. How will the patient’s pregnancy affect the potential use of ciprofloxacin to treat her conjunctivitis?

A) Ciprofloxacin is safe to use in pregnancy and the patient may use to same dose and route as a nonpregnant patient
B) The use of ciprofloxacin is contraindicated in pregnancy
C) It is safe for the patient to use topical ciprofloxacin but the oral route is potential teratogenic
D) The patient will require a lower dose and longer course of ciprofloxacin than a nonpregnant, adult patient

Question 7 A nurse has questioned why a patient’s physician has prescribed a narrow-spectrum antibiotic rather than a broad-spectrum drug in the treatment of a patient’s infection. Which of the following facts provides the best rationale for the use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics whenever possible?

A) Broad-spectrum antibiotics confound the results of subsequent culture and sensitivity testing.
B) Narrow-spectrum antibiotics normally require a shorter duration of treatment
C) The efficacy of most narrow-spectrum antibiotics has not been proven
D) The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics can create a risk for a superinfection

Question 8 A 72-year-old patient is prescribed ophthalmic ciprofloxacin for a bacterial infection in her right eye. The nurse will teach her to observe for which of the following adverse effects of the drug?

A) Lid margin crusting and pruritus
B) Cognitive changes
C) Nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity
D) Tendon ruptures

Question 9 A patient has been prescribed oral tetracycline.The nurse will instruct the patient to take the drug

A) on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking any meals or other drugs.
B) with a meal.
C) with milk or fruit juice.
D) at bedtime only.

Question 10 A 20-year-old female patient is receiving topical clindamycin for acne vulgaris. She develops a rash and urticaria along with severe itching where the medication is applied. The nurse will formulate which of the following nursing diagnoses for the patient?

A) Diarrhea
B) Risk for Injury related to allergic reactions
C) Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
D) Risk of Injury related to blood dyscrasia

drug therapy, including INH and rifampin. A priority assessment by the nurse will be to monitor which combination of laboratory test results?

A) Serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and bilirubin
B) Red blood count, white blood count, and differential
C) Thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, and triiodothyronine levels
D) Fasting blood sugar and 2-hour postprandial blood sugar

Question 12 An immunocompromised cancer patient has developed cryptococcal meningitis and been admitted to the intensive care unit for treatment with amphotericin B. How should the nurse most safely administer this drug?

A) Hang the drug by piggyback with lactated Ringer’s and infuse over several hours to minimize the risk of infusion reaction
B) Infuse the drug over 2 to 4 hours into a central line using an infusion pump
C) Flush the patient’s central line with normal saline and infuse the amphotericin B by intravenous push over 5 to 7 minutes.
D) Place the patient on a constant infusion of amphotericin B at a rate determined by the patient’s body weight.

Question 13 A nurse is aware that the concept of selective toxicity is foundational to antimicrobial therapy. Which of the following statements most accurately describes selective toxicity?

A) A drug harms microbes without harming human cells
B) A drug’s effect on microorganisms is proportionate to dose
C) Most microbes may be collected from a host and cultured on an alternative medium
D) A drug can be isolated and produced in a controlled manner in a laboratory setting

Question 14 An immunocompromised patient in a critical care setting has developed a respiratory infection that has been attributed to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The nurse should anticipate that the patient will require treatment with

A) ciprofloxacin
B) clindamycin
C) vancomycin
D) an antistaphylococcic penicillin

Question 15 Laboratory testing has confirmed that a patient has chloroquine-resistant malaria and the patient’s physician has prescribed quinine along with an adjunctive drug. The nurse should question the physician’s order if the patient has a history of

A) osteoporosis or low bone density
B) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
C) diabetes mellitus
D) cardiac arrhythmias

Question 16 A 46-year-old man is receiving a quinupristin/dalfopristin IV infusion for a life-threatening infection. Which of the following would be most important for the nurse to monitor?

A) Increased heart rate
B) Breathlessness
C) Infiltration, edema, or phlebitis at the infusion site
D) Nausea and vomiting

Question 17 A patient with AIDS has developed a number of secondary infections in recent weeks, including Kaposi’s sarcoma. As a result of this most recent diagnosis, his care team has opted to begin treatment with interferon alfa-2a. The nurse is aware that this drug will address the etiology of Kaposi sarcoma by

A) inhibiting tumor growth by enhancing inflammation
B) potentiating the effects of phagocytes and macrophages
C) causing mutations in the DNA of cancerous cells
D) increasing the production of B cells and T cells

Question 18 Sulconazole has been prescribed for a patient with tinea pedis. The nurse will instruct the patient to use the topical agent

A) once a day
B) twice a day
C) three times a day
D) as needed

Question 19 Which of the following is critical to helping prevent development of resistant strains of microbes in patients?

A) Limit the exposure of bacteria to an antimicrobial agent
B) Keep the antimicrobial drug dosage high
C) Maintain the optimum duration of the antimicrobial agent
D) Maintain the maximum safe frequency of antimicrobial drug ingestion

Question 20 Which of the following nursing actions is most important in achieving successful antimicrobial therapy with vancomycin?

A) Provide maximum physical comfort to the patient
B) Monitor serum drug level
C) Taper down the drug dosage gradually
D) Promote adequate intake of fluids and nutrients

Question 21 A patient is being treated for Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. She is allergic to penicillin and is being given azithromycin (Zithromax) in capsule form. The nurse will inform the patient that she will need to take the capsule

A) with food
B) on an empty stomach
C) with or without food
D) immediately after she eats

Question 22 A patient is taking rifampin (Rifadin) for active TB. When discussing this drug with the patient, the nurse should stress that

A) the drug usually causes cardiac arrhythmias
B) the drug frequently causes seizure activity
C) facial flushing may appear but will go away once therapy is concluded
D) body fluids such as urine, saliva, tears, and sputum may become discolored

Question 23 A nurse is explaining the use of acyclovir therapy to a 72-year-old man. Nephrotoxicity is discussed as a major adverse effect in older patients. To minimize the risk of the patient developing this adverse effect, the nurse will advise him to

A) take the tablets on an empty stomach
B) decrease the drug dosage if initial symptoms of nephrotoxicity appear
C) stay well hydrated by drinking at least eight 8-oz glasses of water daily
D) eat light meals every day

Question 24 A 9-year-old boy was bought to his primary care provider by his mother with signs and symptoms of hookworm infection and will be sent home with a prescription for mebendazole. When provided patient and family education, the nurse should teach the mother with which of the following measures to avoid reinfection following treatment?

A) The importance of vigilant hygiene for the boy and the other members of the family
B) The need for the boy to provide serial stool samples for 6 months following treatment
C) The need to supplement the anthelminthic drug with prophylactic antibiotics
D) The need to use prescription skin cleansers during treatment and for 6 weeks after

Question 25 A nurse is caring for a patient who is on amphotericin B. On morning rounds the patient reports weakness, numbness, and a tingling sensation in his feet. What would be a priority action by the nurse?

A) Encourage the patient to increase fluid intake
B) Use strict aseptic technique for drug administration
C) Keep the bed in a low position and the side rails up at all times
D) Reduce the drug dosage

Question 26 A nurse is providing education to a patient who is taking INH. The nurse will advise the patient to avoid which of the following foods?

A) Cheese, dairy products, and bananas
B) Potatoes and root vegetables
C) Citrus fruits
D) Chicken and fish

Question 27 A child is taking permethrin for head lice. The nurse will instruct her mother to

A) wash her hair daily with a good shampoo
B) increase her daily intake of milk
C) maximize the child’s fluid intake
D) stop using creams, ointments, and oils on the child’s skin and scalp.

Question 28 A patient is receiving cefazolin in combination with anticoagulants. To minimize the adverse effects during therapy, the nurse will

A) monitor the site of injection
B) monitor the patient for bleeding gums
C) continue therapy until 2 days after symptoms have resolved
D) administer the medication with small amounts of food and fluids

Question 29 Which of the following would a nurse assess for in a patient who is taking polymyxin B systemically?

A) Peripheral neuropathy
B) Nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity
C) Hyperkalemia and hyponatremia
D) Endocarditis and hypertension

Question 30 A 30-year-old African-American woman tested positive for TB and is prescribed isoniazid. The nurse will plan the patient’s care to include close monitoring of the drug therapy because

A) the process of drug elimination will be faster in this patient
B) the therapeutic effect of the drug may be too slow to be effective
C) the patient is at greater risk for high serum levels of the drug
D) the process of drug metabolism may be faster in this patient

Question 31 A patient is receiving long-term clindamycin therapy for a life-threatening infection. The nurse will begin by monitoring this drug therapy by obtaining

A) blood glucose levels daily for 1 week
B) establishing the patient’s auditory abilities
C) a baseline complete blood count
D) liver enzymes weekly until the drug therapy is completed

Question 32 A 45-year-old female patient is prescribed ciprofloxacin to treat a bronchial infection. A nursing assessment revealed that she started taking daily vitamin supplements about 2 years ago. To maximize the therapeutic effects of the ciprofloxacin therapy, the nurse should advise the patient to

A) take the vitamins at least 2 hours before or after taking ciprofloxacin
B) alternate the dosage of ciprofloxacin and vitamin supplements
C) reduce the dosage of vitamin supplements
D) reduce the dosage of vitamin supplements and double the dosage of ciprofloxacin

Question 33 A 7-year-old child has tonsillitis and is prescribed penicillin V, which is to be administered at home. The nurse will instruct the parents to administer the drug

A) with a sip of water 1 hour before mealtime
B) immediately before or with a meal
C) with a glass of water 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal
D) intravenously with the assistance of a home health nurse

Question 34 A 15-year-old patient has meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae. She is being treated with chloramphenicol. The most important nursing action for this patient would be to monitor

A) blood sugar levels daily
B) liver enzymes monthly
C) plasma concentrations regularly
D) urine output daily

Question 35 A 49-year-old farmer who normally enjoys good health has become seriously ill in recent days and the results of an extensive diagnostic work up have resulted in a diagnosis of histoplasmosis. The patient has been admitted to the hospital and has begun treatment with amphotericin B. The nurse who is providing care for the patient should prioritize which of the following diagnostic results during his course of treatment?

A) Electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine
B) Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cells
C) PT, PTT, and platelets
D) C-reactive protein

   d