Author Question: A patient presents at the clinic with a dry nonproductive cough. The patient is diagnosed with ... (Read 137 times)

laurencescou · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient presents at the clinic with a dry nonproductive cough. The patient is diagnosed with bronchitis and it has been determined that assistance is needed in thinning the sputum so the cough can become productive.

What does the nurse expect the physician will prescribe? A) Benzonatate (Tessalon)
B) Guaifenesin (Mucinex)
C) Dextromethorphan (Benylin)
D) Hydrocodone (Hycodan)

Question 2

The nurse is providing patient teaching to a patient who has been prescribed digoxin. The patient tells the nurse that she occasionally use herbals and other alternative therapies.

What herb would the nurse warn the patient to avoid taking with digoxin? A) Black cohosh
B) Ginseng
C) Saw palmetto
D) Valerian

voltaire123 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
Feedback:
Because this patient needs to cough up respiratory secretions, he would likely be prescribed guaifenesin. This drug is an expectorant that liquefies lower respiratory secretions by reducing their viscosity and so making it easier for a patient to cough them up. Benzonatate, dextromethorphan, and hydrocodone are antitussives and are given to suppress the cough reflex.

Answer to Question 2

B
Feedback:
Digoxin toxicity can occur if the drug is taken concurrently with licorice, ginseng, or hawthorn. St. John's wort and psyllium have been shown to decrease the effectiveness of digoxin, so that combination should be avoided. There is no drug-to-drug interaction with black cohosh, saw palmetto, or valerian.