A patient who is pregnant has a history of recurrent genital herpesvirus (HSV). The patient asks the nurse what will be done to suppress an outbreak when she is near term. The nurse will tell the patient that:
a. antiviral medications are not safe during pregnancy.
b. intravenous antiviral agents will be used if an outbreak occurs.
c. oral acyclovir [Zovirax] may be used dur-ing pregnancy.
d. topical acyclovir [Zovirax] must be used to control outbreaks.
C
Oral acyclovir is devoid of serious adverse effects and may be used safely during pregnancy. It is incorrect to tell this patient that antiviral medications are not safe during pregnancy. Oral acyclo-vir is used to suppress recurrent genital herpes near term; intravenous antiviral medications are not indicated. It is not necessary to rely on topical medications because oral acyclovir is safe.
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The nurse admits a patient for treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV). The patient has been ordered foscarnet (Foscavir), 40 mg/kg q8–12h given over 2 hours. By what route would the nurse administer this drug?
A) Sub q B) IV C) IM D) PO
A patient diagnosed with cancer has been receiving radiation treatments to shrink the tumor. After several weeks, the patient tells the nurse that she has not needed as much pain medication
What should the nurse consider when responding to this report? 1. The radiation treatments have probably reduced the pressure of the tumor on adjacent tissues. 2. The tumor is secreting pain-control chemicals initiated by the radiation. 3. The patient may be developing tolerance to the pain. 4. The patient is probably continuing to have pain but is benefiting from the placebo effect of taking action against the tumor.
When caring for an elderly patient who is experiencing anxiety related to a new diagnosis of cancer, a nurse appropriately seeks to alleviate the anxiety by
1. Telling the patient that her cancer is curable. 2. Discouraging the patient from asking questions. 3. Encouraging the patient's spouse to stay with the patient. 4. Explaining cancer to the patient using medical terminology.
A 78-year-old was diagnosed with colorectal cancer 18 months ago and underwent a round of chemotherapy. The most recent computed tomographic scan, however, reveals that the cancer has metastasized to the lungs and liver
The older adult states, "I feel quite well and do not wish to undergo another round of chemotherapy. " The client's children are adamantly opposed to their parent's decision to forgo treatment and have appealed to the nurse. Which factor is the priority consideration for the nurse to determine the best course of action? A) The client's prognosis B) The client's autonomy C) The family's wishes D) The client's treatment options