A prescriber orders hydroxyzine (Vistaril) for a patient with ...

[MirandaLo]

A prescriber orders hydroxyzine (Vistaril) for a patient with acute urticaria. The nurse will include which information when teaching the patient about this drug?
 
  a. The drug will reduce redness and itching but not edema.
  b. This antihistamine is not likely to cause sedation.
  c. The patient should avoid drinking alcohol while taking the drug.
  d. The patient should report shortness of breath while taking the drug.

Question 2

A patient has seasonal allergies and needs an antihistamine to control symptoms. The patient likes to have wine with dinner several times a week and wants to know which antihistamine will be the safest to take.
 
  The nurse will tell the patient to discuss which medication with the provider?
  a. Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
  b. Fexofenadine (Allegra)
  c. Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
  d. Loratadine (Claritin)

[spencer.martell]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Hydroxyzine is a first-generation antihistamine and has sedative effects, so patients should be cautioned not to consume alcohol while taking the drug. In capillary beds, antihistamines reduce edema, itching, and redness. This antihistamine causes sedation. It is not associated with respiratory depression at therapeutic doses.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Fexofenadine is the least sedating of the second-generation antihistamines and so is the least likely to have synergistic effects with alcohol. Cetirizine, levocetirizine, and loratadine all have sedative side effects to some extent and thus would be less safe.

[MirandaLo]

Excellent

[jackie]

TYSM