A 55-year-old patient with leukemia is being seen in the clinic for complaints of burning pain in the back.
The patient has been diagnosed with shingles.
The nurse would expect which medication classification to be ordered to reduce pain and halt the progression of the disease?
Antibiotic.
Antifungal.
Antiviral.
Anti-inflammatory.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Antibiotics are ineffective against shingles because the disease is caused by a virus, not bacteria. Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. Antibiotics target and kill bacteria by disrupting their cell walls or inhibiting protein synthesis. Administering an antibiotic would not address the viral cause of the disease and would not reduce the pain or halt its progression.
Choice B rationale
Antifungal medications are not indicated for the treatment of shingles. These drugs are specifically designed to treat infections caused by fungi by targeting the fungal cell wall or membrane. Since shingles is a viral infection, antifungal drugs would have no therapeutic effect on the varicella-zoster virus and would fail to alleviate symptoms or alter the course of the disease.
Choice C rationale
Antiviral medications are the primary treatment for shingles. These drugs, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, work by inhibiting viral DNA replication. By interrupting the viral life cycle, they can reduce the severity and duration of the outbreak, lessen the associated pain, and decrease the risk of postherpetic neuralgia. These medications are most effective when initiated within 72 hours of symptom onset.
Choice D rationale
While anti-inflammatory medications may be used to manage the pain associated with shingles, they do not halt the progression of the disease. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids can reduce inflammation and provide symptomatic pain relief. However, they do not target the varicella-zoster virus itself. The primary treatment to stop the viral replication and disease progression is an antiviral medication. *.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice C rationale
Hypotension in a patient with a pneumothorax, especially a tension pneumothorax, is a significant indicator of decreased cardiac output. The accumulation of air in the pleural space increases intrathoracic pressure, which compresses the vena cava and the heart, impairing venous return to the right side of the heart. This reduces preload, leading to a profound decrease in stroke volume and cardiac output, resulting in hypotension and obstructive shock.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Iron is a crucial component of hemoglobin and is essential for erythropoiesis. However, a significant burn injury primarily causes massive fluid shifts and plasma loss from the intravascular space into the interstitial spaces, leading to hypovolemia and hemoconcentration. Iron supplementation would not address the immediate, life-threatening fluid and protein depletion that characterizes the initial phase of a major burn.
Choice B rationale
PRBCs, or packed red blood cells, are used to restore oxygen-carrying capacity in the event of significant blood loss or anemia. While a burn patient may eventually become anemic, the immediate and most critical need following a major burn is the replacement of lost plasma volume and proteins, which is not effectively addressed by PRBCs alone.
Choice C rationale
A severe burn causes a substantial loss of plasma proteins, including albumin, globulins, and clotting factors, from the circulation due to increased capillary permeability. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is rich in these proteins and clotting factors, making it the most appropriate choice to restore intravascular volume, oncotic pressure, and hemostasis, thereby combating hypovolemic shock.
Choice D rationale
Albumin is a major plasma protein and is effective for increasing oncotic pressure and drawing fluid back into the vasculature. However, fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is a more comprehensive choice as it contains albumin along with other essential plasma proteins, coagulation factors, and immunoglobulins, which are all depleted following a severe burn injury
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.