A patient with a persistent and debilitating cough is confused ...

[jeatrice]

A patient with a persistent and debilitating cough is confused that his physician has prescribed codeine. He tells the nurse, I was sure that codeine was a narcotic that people take for pain.
 
   The nurse should cite what mechanism of action when describing this use of codeine? A) Depression of the cough center in the medulla oblongata
  B) Vasodilation of the alveolar capillaries
  C) Stimulation of the reticular activating system (RAS)
  D) Desensitization of the cough receptors in the sinuses and trachea

Question 2

Which of the following assessments should be made before administering a new medication?
 
  A) Determine the patient's past medication history.
  B) Evaluate the patient's health beliefs.
  C) Instruct the patient on the effect of the medication.
  D) Teach the patient about the desired outcomes of drug therapy.

[brittiany.barnes]

Answer to Question 1

A
Feedback:
Antitussives such as codeine suppress cough by depressing the cough center in the medulla oblongata. They do not influence blood flow or desensitize peripheral cough receptors. The RAS is not involved in the cough reflex.

Answer to Question 2

A
Feedback:
Assessment involves collecting data on patient characteristics known to affect drug therapy. This process includes observing and interviewing the patient, interviewing family members, completing a physical assessment, reviewing medical records for pertinent laboratory and diagnostic reports, and other methods. Initially (before drug therapy is started or on first contact), the patient should be assessed for age, weight, vital signs, health status, pathologic conditions, and ability to function in usual activities. It is not necessarily important to evaluate the patient's health beliefs at this point. Education is considered to be an intervention, not an assessment.

[jeatrice]

Thanks

[brittiany.barnes]

Welcome