Aminoglycosides nursing pharmacology NCLEX quiz questions for students!
Aminoglycosides are a group of antibiotics used to treat various infections. The nurse should know what type of microorganisms this group of medications treat, how they work, side effects, and the nursing considerations for this antibiotic group.
Before taking the quiz, don’t forget to watch the Aminoglycosides video and review the lecture notes.
Aminoglycosides (Antibiotics) NCLEX Quiz Questions
Aminoglycosides NCLEX Quiz Questions
1. The nurse is teaching a group of new nurses about Aminoglycosides. Which statement(s) by a participant requires the nurse to provide re-education about this group of medications? Select all that apply:
A. “Aminoglycosides can be used to treat infections that affect the skin, bone, eyes, ears, abdomen, and pelvic areas.”
B. “These antibiotics are mainly given via the oral route because they are absorbed very well in the gastrointestinal system.”
C. “Aminoglycosides are best at targeting gram-positive microorganisms rather than gram-negative.”
D. “Aminoglycosides can kill Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.”
The answers are B and C. These are incorrect statements and require re-education. Option B should say that: “These antibiotics are mainly given via the PARENTERAL route because they are NOT absorbed very well in the gastrointestinal system.” And Option C should say: “”Aminoglycosides are best at targeting gram-NEGATIVE microorganisms rather than gram-positive.”
2. The nurse is assessing a patient’s medication history. The patient says he was being treated for an infection 2 weeks ago and can’t remember the name of the medication he was prescribed, but states it was an Aminoglycoside. Which medication below is NOT an Aminoglycoside?
A. Amikacin
B. Erythromycin
C. Streptomycin
D. Neomycin
The answer is B. Erythromycin is NOT an Aminoglycoside…it is a Macrolide. Aminoglycosides include: Gentamicin, Neomycin, Amikacin, Tobramycin, Streptomycin…unfortunately the generic ending of “mycin” or “micin “ in these medication’s names can’t be used as a memory aid to help you remember this group of antibiotics like with some other groups of medications. Instead, try to remember the word GNATS…GN tells you these medications work to kill gram-negative microorganisms and can help you remember Gentamicin, Neomycin, Amikacin, Tobramycin, Streptomycin
3. True or False: Aminoglycosides mechanism of action is bacteriostatic.
The answer is FALSE. Aminoglycosides mechanism of action is bactericidal, which means they KILL bacteria. Some groups of antibiotics are bacteriostatic, which means they inhibit the growth of the bacteria. However, this is NOT the role of Aminoglycosides.
4. Which statement below BEST describes how Aminoglycosides work?
A. These antibiotics inhibit cell wall synthesis in the bacteria.
B. These antibiotics inhibit nuclei acid synthesis in the bacteria.
C. These antibiotics inhibit folic acid synthesis in the bacteria.
D. These antibiotics inhibit protein synthesis in the bacteria.
The answer is D. Aminoglycoside inhibit the bacteria’s protein synthesis by binding to 30S on the ribosome.
5. Fill-in-the-blank: Aminoglycosides work by binding to the ________ ribosomal subunit which prevents __________________.
A. 50S; nucleic acid synthesis
B. 30S; protein synthesis
C. 30S; cell wall synthesis
D. 50S; protein synthesis
The answer is B. Aminoglycosides work by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit which prevents protein synthesis.
6. The nurse receives an order to draw a peak level on a patient prescribed gentamicin via intravenous (IV) infusion. The infusion will take 30 minutes. When is the best time for the nurse to draw this peak level?
A. Immediately before the next dose of gentamicin
B. 4 hour after infusion is complete
C. 30 minutes after the end of the infusion
D. 30 minutes before starting the infusion
The answer is C: 30 minutes after infusion is complete
7. Which nursing action below is correct for how the nurse should draw the trough level for a patient who is prescribed Gentamicin via Intravenous (IV) infusion?
A. Immediately before the next dose of Gentamicin
B. 1 hour after infusion is complete
C. 30 minutes after infusion is complete
D. 30 minutes before starting the infusion
The answer is A: Immediately before the next dose of Gentamicin
8. TRUE or FALSE: The peak level of a medication is the highest concentration of the medication in the blood.
The answer is TRUE. The peak level of a medication is the highest concentration of the medication in the blood…while the trough is the lowest concentration of medication in the patient’s blood system.
9. Your patient is taking Gentamicin to treat an infection. Which finding below requires immediate attention?
A. Blood pressure 104/76 mmHg
B. Urinary output 480 mL/day
C. Potassium 4 mEq/L
D. WBC 7,000 per mm3
The answer is B. Gentamicin can cause nephrotoxicity, which means it is causing damage to the kidneys. Risk factors for this include high dosages and using the medication for a long period of time. The nurse should monitor urinary output (should be at least 30 mL/hr…here it is only 20 mL/hr and this is concerning) along with monitoring the BUN/creatinine and GFR (glomerular filtration rate).
10. The nurse is educating the patient on how to monitor for side effects while taking an Aminoglycoside to treat an infection. The nurse is discussing an ototoxic side effect that can occur while taking this medication. What ototoxic side effect should the nurse tell the patient to report immediately if experienced?
A. Vision loss in either one or both eyes
B. Loss of color vision
C. Tinnitus
D. Photophobia
The answer is C. Ototoxic means side effects that are affecting the ears, specifically the hearing structures of the ears. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears), fullness in the ears, dizziness, or hearing loss are all ototoxic side effects from Aminoglycosides that should be reported immediately. Ototoxic side effects are not reversible.
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