59.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. Dapsone (DDS) is prescribed for a client with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
(AIDS) for the treatment of toxoplasmosis. The nurse reinforces medication
instructions and tells the client to
1. Discontinue the medication if nausea and vomiting develop
2 Plan to take the medication every 6 hours around the clock
3 Contact the physician if fever or a sore throat occurs
4 Report to the clinic weekly for the injections
2. Pyrimethamine (Daraprim) has been added to the medication regimen for the client
with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). On review of the client's record, the
nurse notes this new prescription and plans care knowing that this has been prescribed
for the treatment of
1 Toxoplasmosis
2 Cardiac irregularities
3 Kaposi's sarcoma
4 Nausea and vomiting
3. Saquinavir mesylate (Invirase) is prescribed for the client who is human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive. The nurse reinforces medica; tion
instructions and tells the client to
l Take the medication on an empty stomach
2 Eat low-calorie foods
3 Eat foods that are low in fat
4 Avoid sun exposure
4. The client who is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive has been taking
Ritonavir (Norvir). The client returns to the clinic for follow-up laboratory tests. The
nurse reviews the client's record and expects to note a physician's order for which of the
following laboratory tests?
1 Platelet count
2 Triglyceride level
3 Prothrombin time (PT)
4 International normalized ratio (INR)
5. The client who is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive has been taking
Stavudine (d4T, Zerit). The nurse monitors which of the following most closely while
the client is taking this medication?
1 Appetite
2 Gait
3 Gastrointestinal function
4 Level of consciousness (LOC)
6. The client who is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive has been taking
zaicitabine (ddC) as a component of treatment. The nurse plans to monitor which of
the following most closely while the client is taking this medication?
1 Liver function studies
2 Platelet count
3 Red blood cell count
4 Glucose level
7. The nurse is assigned to care for a client with cytomegalovirus retinitis and acquired

1
 immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who is receiving foscavir (Poscarnet). The nurse
checks the latest results of which of the following laboratory studies while the client
is taking this medication?
1 Serum albumin
2 Serum creatinine
3 CD4 cell count
4 Lymphocyte count
8. The client with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and Pneumocystis
carinii infection has been receiving pentamidine (Pentam-300).The client develops a
fever of 101°F. The nurse does further monitoring of the client, knowing that this sign
most likely indicates
1 The dose of the medication is too low
2 The client is experiencing toxic effects of the medication
3 The client has developed inadequacy of thermoregulation
4 This is a result of another infection, caused by leukopenic effects of the medication
9. The client with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been started on
therapy with zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir). The nurse carefully monitors which of the
following laboratory results during treatment with this medication?
1 Complete blood count (CBC)
2 Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
3 Blood culture
4 Blood glucose level
10. The nurse is reviewing the results of serum laboratory studies drawn on a client with
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who is receiving didanosine (Videx).
The nurse interprets that the client may very well have the medication discontinued by
the physician because of which of the following significantly elevated results?
1 Serum cholesterol
2 Serum amylase
3 Blood glucose
4 Serum protein
ANSWERS
1.3
RATIONALE: Dapsone may be prescribed for the treatment of toxoplasmosis. The
medication is taken orally on a daily basis. The medication suppresses bone marrow
activity and the CBC is monitored closely. If the client develops fever, sore throat,
purpura, or jaundice, the physician is notified. Medications are available to treat nausea
and vomiting and the client should not discontinue the dapsone if these symptoms occur
but should contact the physician.
TEST-TAKING STRATEGY: Use the process of elimination. Eliminate option 1 first
because the nurse would not tell the client to discontinue the medication. Next eliminate
options 2 and 4, knowing that the medication is administered orally on a daily basis.
Review this medication now if you had difficulty with this question.

2. 1
RATIONALE: Pyrimethamine is an antimalarial and an antiprotozoal medication. It is
used in the treatment of toxoplasmosis or Pneumocyctis carinii pneumonia. It is not used

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to treat nausea, vomiting, cardiac irregularities, or Kaposi's sarcoma.
TEST-TAKING STRATEGY: Knowledge regarding the action and use of
pyrimethamine is required to answer this question. If you know that this medication is an
antimalarial and an antiprotozoal medication, then you would easily be directed to option
1. Review this medication now if you had difficulty with this medication,

3.4
RATIONALE: Saquinavir is an antiretroviral (protease inhibitor) used in combination
with other antiretroviral medications in the management of HIV infection. It is
administered with meals and is best absorbed if the client consumes high-calorie, high-fat
meals. It can cause photosensitivity, so the client is instructed to avoid sun exposure.
TEST-TAKING STRATEGY: Knowledge regarding this medication is required to
answer this question. Options 2 and 3 can be eliminated first, knowing that these dietary
measures would not likely be prescribed. Por the remaining options, it is necessary to
know that this medication can cause photosensitivily. Review this medication now if you
had difficulty with this question.

4.2
RATIONALE: Ritonavir is an antiretroviral (protease inhibitor) used in combination
with other antiretroviral medications in the management of HIV infection. It can increase
the triglyceride levels and therefore the client's triglyceride level should be monitored.
The platelet count, PT, and INK are not laboratory tests that would specifically be
monitored in the client on this medication.
TEST-TAKING STRATEGY: Knowledge regarding the side effects of ritonavir is
required to answer this question.If you are unfamiliar with this medication, take time now
to review.

5. 2
RATIONALE: Stavudine is an antiretroviral (protease inhibitor) used in the
management of HIV infection in clients who do not respond to or who cannot tolerate
conventional therapy. The medication can cause peripheral neuropathy and the nurse
should closely monitor the client's gait and ask the client about pareslhesias.
TEST-TAKING STRATEGY: Knowledge regarding the specific side effects of this
medication is. required to answer this question. If you are not familiar with this
medication and the important data collection measures, take time now to review.

6. 1
RATIONALE: Zaicitabine is an antiretroviral (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor)
used in the management of HIV infection with other antiretrovirals. It can cause serious
liver damage, and liver function studies should be monitored closely. Options 2, 3, and 4
are not specifically associated with the use of this medication.
TEST-TAKING STRATEGY: Knowledge regarding the side effects of zaicitabine is
required to answer this question.If you are unfamiliar with this medication, take time now
to review.

7.2

3
RATIONALE: Foscavir is very toxic to the kidneys. Serum creatinine is monitored prior
to therapy, two to three times per week during induction therapy, and at least weekly
during maintenance therapy. It also may cause decreased levels of calcium, magnesium,
phosphorus, and potassium in the bloodstream. Thus, these levels are also measured with
the same frequency.
TEST-TAKING STRATEGY: It is necessary to know the toxicities and important side
effects of this medication to discriminate among the various options correctly. If needed,
take a few moments to review this medication now.

8.4 .:
RATIONALE: Frequent side effects of this medication include leukopenia,
thrombocytopenia, and anemia. The client should be routinely monitored for signs and
symptoms of infection. The client should also have ongoing monitoring of a number of
parameters due to the nature and side effects of the medication, including blood glucose,
BUN,serum creatinine, CBC, liver function studies, and serum calcium and magnesium
levels.
TEST-TAKING STRATEGY: Options 2 and 3 are the least plausible given the
information in the question, and are eliminated first. To discriminate between the last
two, you need to know that the medication has leukopenic side effects to choose
correctly. Review this medication now if you had difficulty with this question.

RATIONALE: A common side effect of this medication therapy is agranulocytopcnia

and anemia. The nurse carefully monitors CBC results for these changes. With early HIV
infection or in the client who is asymptomatic, CBC levels are monitored monthly for 3
months, then every 3 months thereafter. In clients with advanced disease, they are
monitored every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, and then once a month if the medication
is tolerated well.
TEST-TAKING STRATEGY: It is necessary to know the toxicities and important side
effects of this medication to discriminate among the various options correctly. If
needed,take a few moments to review this medication now.

10.2
RATIONALE: A serum amylase level that is increased 1.5 to 2 times normal may
signify pancreatitis in the AIDS client, which is potentially fatal. The medication may
have to be discontinued. The medication is also hepatotoxic, and can result in liver
failure.
TEST-TAKING STRATEGY: It is necessary to know the toxicities and important side
effects of this medication to discriminate among the various options correctly. If
needed,take a few moments to review this medication now.