A nurse is preparing to administer phenylephrine as a vasopressor to treat a patient for hypotension. The desired therapeutic effect of phenylephrine in this context is:

Choice A reason: This is correct. Hypertension is a contraindication for taking pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that shrinks the blood vessels in the nasal passages and relieves congestion. However, it can also increase the blood pressure and the heart rate, which can worsen hypertension and increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, or kidney damage. The nurse should advise the client to avoid pseudoephedrine and use other methods to relieve sinus congestion, such as saline nasal spray, steam inhalation, or humidifier.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Diverticulitis is not a contraindication for taking pseudoephedrine. Diverticulitis is a condition where small pouches in the colon become inflamed and infected. It can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, nausea, or constipation. Pseudoephedrine does not affect the colon or the inflammation directly, but it can cause dehydration, which can worsen constipation and diverticulitis. The nurse should advise the client to drink plenty of fluids and eat a highfiber diet to prevent constipation and diverticulitis.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Migraines are not a contraindication for taking pseudoephedrine. Migraines are severe headaches that are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound. They can be triggered by various factors, such as stress, hormones, or food. Pseudoephedrine does not cause migraines directly, but it can interact with some migraine medications, such as triptans, which are used to treat acute migraine attacks. The combination of pseudoephedrine and triptans can increase the blood pressure and the risk of serotonin syndrome, a serious condition that causes agitation, confusion, tremors, or seizures. The nurse should advise the client to check with their doctor before taking pseudoephedrine and triptans together.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Eczema is not a contraindication for taking pseudoephedrine. Eczema is a skin condition that causes dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. It can be caused by various factors, such as allergies, irritants, or genetics. Pseudoephedrine does not affect the skin or the inflammation directly, but it can cause dryness of the mucous membranes, such as the mouth, nose, or eyes. The nurse should advise the client to use a moisturizer, a lip balm, and artificial tears to prevent dryness and irritation of the skin and the mucous membranes.

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Antibiotics are not a term for a drug model, but a class of drugs that are used to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics can have different chemical structures, mechanisms of action, and modes of action. For example, penicillin is a prototype drug of the beta lactam antibiotics, which inhibit the synthesis of bacterial cell walls¹.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Pharmacologic drug is not a term for a drug model, but a general term for any substance that has a physiological effect on the body. Pharmacologic drugs can belong to different classes, such as analgesics, antihistamines, or antivirals. For example, aspirin is a prototype drug of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which reduce pain, inflammation, and fever.

Choice C reason: This is correct. Prototype drug is the term used for a well understood drug model with which other drugs in its representative class are compared. A prototype drug is an individual drug that has similar chemical structure, mechanism of action, and mode of action as other drugs in its class. A prototype drug is often the first developed or the most important drug in its class, and is used as a reference for comparison. For example, morphine is a prototype drug of the opioid analgesics, which relieve pain by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Therapeutic drug is not a term for a drug model, but a term for any drug that is used to treat or prevent a disease or disorder. Therapeutic drugs can belong to different classes, such as antibiotics, antihypertensives, or antidepressants. For example, metformin is a prototype drug of the biguanide antidiabetic drugs, which lower blood glucose levels by reducing glucose production in the liver and increasing glucose uptake in the muscles.