Pharmacology for Nurses Study Guide Questions
Course Introduction
Pharmacology for Nurses is an essential course that introduces nursing students to the principles of pharmacology, focusing on the safe administration and management of medications. The course covers the mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, side effects, and potential interactions of various drug classes commonly encountered in clinical settings. Emphasis is placed on nursing responsibilities in medication administration, patient assessment, and education, as well as legal and ethical considerations in pharmacological care. Through theoretical learning and case-based scenarios, students develop critical thinking and decision-making skills necessary to ensure optimal patient outcomes related to medication therapy.
Recommended Textbook
Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology 8th Edition by Edmunds
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556 Verified Questions
556 Flashcards
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Chapter 1: Pharmacology and the Nursing Process in LPN Practice
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27 Verified Questions
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Sample Questions
Q1) When performing an initial patient assessment,which would be considered objective data? (Select all that apply.)
A) Abdominal pain reported by the patient
B) The patient's vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, etc.)
C) Documents such as old laboratory results, EEG printouts, or x-rays brought in by the patient
D) Home medications with patient labels brought in by the patient
E) The chief problem or complaint as stated by the patient
Answer: B,C,D
Q2) Which is never administered if prepared by another nurse?
A) Written orders
B) Daily reports
C) Diet selections
D) Medications
Answer: D
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Chapter 2: Patient Teaching and Health Literacy
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Sample Questions
Q1) The nurse talks with a clinic patient by phone and discovers the patient is not taking her medication as instructed.The patient was given only verbal instructions in her teaching session.The nurse should now have the patient do which of the following?
A) Listen to the nurse as the nurse repeats the instructions by phone.
B) Call every day, and the nurse will repeat the instructions until learned.
C) Return to the clinic to receive other teaching methods.
D) Have a family member take the instructions by phone.
Answer: C
Q2) The nurse is planning the teaching/learning objectives for a patient who comes into the clinic to learn about hormonal therapy and is experiencing stress.What will help the patient's learning process?
A) Covering as many topics as possible at one time
B) Timing the teaching to coincide with visiting hours
C) Teaching the patient while a favorite television program is playing in the background
D) Systematic teaching in a quiet, unhurried setting
Answer: D
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Chapter 3: Legal Aspects Affecting the Administration of Medications
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Sample Questions
Q1) Meperidine,75 mg IV push,is ordered by the physician to be given stat.The nurse understands that this is which type of order?
A) Standing
B) Immediate
C) Flexible
D) Indefinite
Answer: B
Q2) A patient brings his multivitamins to the hospital and asks the LPN/LVN if he can take them.Which is the nurse's best response?
A) "Yes, but I must keep them in the medication room."
B) "No, I have to obtain a doctor's order first."
C) "Yes, let me put them in your bedside stand for you."
D) "Not until the pharmacist adds them to your medication record."
Answer: B
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Chapter 4: Foundations and Principles of Pharmacology
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which explanation by the nurse explains to a patient that water should be taken with a tablet?
A) "Juice or milk can keep it from dissolving."
B) "Water is important for proper metabolism."
C) "Water keeps the medicine potent."
D) "Water helps to dissolve the medication."
Q2) A nurse is administering a patient's medication by mouth.The nurse knows that for this medication to be utilized by the body,diffusion,filtration,and osmosis must take place.Which mechanism is the first to be involved in that process?
A) Excretion
B) Metabolism
C) Distribution
D) Absorption
Q3) What is the process by which molecules move from a region of higher concentration to one of lower concentration?
A) Diffusion
B) Osmosis
C) Filtration
D) Solubility
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Page 6
Chapter 5: Lifespan and Cultural Modifications
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Sample Questions
Q1) A mother asks why her 6-year-old requires a daily dose of digoxin that is twice that of an adult.The nurse explains that the larger dose is necessary because of which characteristics of children?
A) Greater resistance to medications
B) Variations in development of drug receptors
C) A slower metabolic rate than adults
D) More total body water, which dilutes the drug
Q2) A patient with HIV has been diagnosed with Candida albicans.The nurses can anticipate the physician will order medication to be taken over how many days?
A) 10 days
B) 7 days
C) 14 days
D) 2 days
Q3) Which action by a breastfeeding mother who takes medication would decrease the amount of the drug the baby receives in breast milk?
A) Always using sustained-release medications
B) Taking medication just before breastfeeding
C) Taking medication in the morning
D) Expressing and discarding milk when feedings are skipped
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Page 7
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Sample Questions
Q1) Glucosamine is an herbal product used for persons with which condition?
A) Severe headaches
B) Menstrual cramping
C) Joint pain
D) Gastric discomfort
Q2) Iron supplements are used in the treatment of which condition?
A) Anemia
B) Osteoporosis
C) Esophageal reflux
D) Constipation
Q3) A patient asks the nurse what the difference is between an OTC sleeping product and a sleeping pill prescribed by a physician.Which is the best response?
A) "The OTC sleeping product is safer."
B) "The OTC sleeping product is commonly used."
C) "The OTC sleeping product is easy to swallow."
D) "The OTC sleeping product has smaller tablets."
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8
Chapter 7: Preparing and Administering Medications
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Q1) Which should the nurse do when applying a topical nitroglycerin ointment?
A) Massage it thoroughly into the skin.
B) Squeeze it onto the applicator paper and place it on the skin.
C) Apply it to the medial aspect of the thigh.
D) Shave the skin prior to application.
Q2) Which is done after giving medication through a nasogastric tube that is connected to suction?
A) The tube is reconnected to the suction.
B) The tube is clamped for 10 minutes and then reconnected to suction.
C) The tube is clamped for 30 minutes and then reconnected to suction.
D) The tube is left off for 4 hours and then reconnected to suction.
Q3) When giving a medicine through a nasogastric (NG)tube,which will the nurse do first?
A) Flush the tube with 30 mL of water.
B) Check placement of the tube.
C) Take the vital signs.
D) Ask the patient if the tube is painful.
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Chapter 8: Allergy and Respiratory Medications
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Sample Questions
Q1) A patient asks if he can still drink coffee and cola while on bronchodilators for his COPD.Which is the nurse's best response?
A) "Caffeine-containing drinks can be used in moderation."
B) "You have no restriction when drinking coffee."
C) "Drink plenty of water to counteract the caffeine."
D) "Avoid large amounts of caffeine."
Q2) The patient on cromolyn for asthma is monitored carefully during reduction of the medication for which reason?
A) An increase in appetite causes weight gain.
B) The asthmatic symptoms may return.
C) Discharge from the nasal passages increases.
D) The patient's eyes will water more.
Q3) Xanthine derivatives are bronchodilators with which actions in the body? (Select all that apply.)
A) Smooth-muscle relaxation
B) Kidney diuresis
C) Stimulation of the myocardium
D) Decrease in respiratory rate
E) Decrease in heart rate
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Chapter 9: Antiinfective Medications
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Sample Questions
Q1) The nurse is teaching a patient about possible side effects when taking minocycline,a broad-spectrum antibiotic.Which side effect is the most common with this drug?
A) Salty taste in the mouth
B) Feeling of vertigo
C) Edema in the feet and legs
D) Ringing in the ears
Q2) Which should be true of any antibiotic used to treat an infection caused by a penicillinase-producing organism?
A) It should be acid stable.
B) It should be an extended-spectrum antibiotic.
C) It should be penicillinase resistant.
D) It should be a narrow-spectrum antibiotic.
Q3) A sulfonamide,Bactrim,is ordered for a patient with a urinary tract infection.What should the nurse teach the patient to do while taking this medication?
A) Drink large amounts of water with this medication.
B) Take the medication on a full stomach.
C) Take the medication at night before going to bed.
D) Drink milk when taking the medication.
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Page 11
Chapter
Medications
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Q1) Which group of drugs limits the progression of HIV?
A) Antiretrovirals
B) Antivirals
C) Antibiotics
D) Antifungals
Q2) Which is the best response made by the nurse providing education to a patient taking ketoconazole for a fungal infection?
A) "You may take this medication with an antacid."
B) "Alcohol has no effect on this medication."
C) "Take this medicine 2 hours after taking an H<sub>2</sub> blocker.
D) "It is okay to skip a dose if you feel better."
Q3) A female patient,newly diagnosed with HIV,complains of reoccurring vaginal itching and cottage-cheese-like discharge.Based on the patient's history,what does the nurse anticipate the physician will order for treatment?
A) Antifungal
B) Antiviral
C) Antiinfective
D) Antiretroviral
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Chapter 11: Antineoplastic Medications
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Sample Questions
Q1) For which reason must a patient keep his or her chemotherapy medications in a locked cabinet?
A) These medications are very costly.
B) These medications are very toxic.
C) These medications have narcotic effects.
D) These medications are hard to replace monthly.
Q2) A patient is being treated for ovarian carcinoma with carboplatin,an alkylating agent.Which are actions of this medication? (Select all that apply.)
A) It interferes with normal cell division.
B) Malignant cells convert to normal cells.
C) Its effects occur in both normal and malignant cells.
D) Cell division is totally controlled with this medication.
E) It attaches to DNA.
Q3) Which precautions should nurses administering antineoplastic preparations use?
A) Standard precautions as always
B) Proper hand hygiene after use
C) Preparation of medication in special areas
D) Preparation in direct light under a hood
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Chapter 12: Cardiovascular and Renal Medications
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40 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which is a life-threatening dysrhythmia that is often treated with lidocaine (Xylocaine)?
A) Atrial flutter
B) Ventricular fibrillation
C) Atrial tachycardia
D) Ventricular bradycardia
Q2) Prior to administering digoxin,what should the nurse do first?
A) Assess the patient's apical heart rate.
B) Evaluate the patient's response to the medication.
C) Record patient's weight.
D) Collect a urine sample.
Q3) The nurse is providing discharge teaching about the use of antihyperlipidemics.The patient must understand that timing is very important.The nurse tells the patient that other medications should be taken at which time?
A) 30 minutes before taking the antihyperlipidemic
B) 1 hour after taking the antihyperlipidemic
C) Any time before taking the antihyperlipidemic
D) 4 to 6 hours after taking the antihyperlipidemic
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Chapter 13: Central and Peripheral Nervous System
Medications
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Sample Questions
Q1) A patient comes to the clinic and tells the nurse she might be pregnant.She has migraine headaches.The physician prescribes dihydroergotamine (DHE 45).The nurse explains to the patient that this drug is being used for which reason?
A) This agent dilates vessels.
B) This agent does not have oxytocic effects.
C) This agent has no toxic effects.
D) This agent does not cause dependence.
Q2) Which statement is true regarding benzodiazepines?
A) These drugs are safe to use in pregnancy.
B) These drugs may be habit forming.
C) If a dose is forgotten, double the next dose.
D) Caffeine enhances the effect.
Q3) Lithium is an antimanic drug that is used in the treatment of which condition?
A) Clinical chronic depression
B) Acute depression
C) Prolonged sleep psychosis
D) Manic-depressive psychosis
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Page 15
Chapter 14: Medications for Pain Management and Anesthesia
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Sample Questions
Q1) Narcotic agonists are used to control acute pain.Which are common side effects that may develop from taking these drugs? (Select all that apply.)
A) Hyperactivity
B) Constipation
C) Diarrhea
D) Dry mouth
E) Hypertension
Q2) The patient asks for pain medication after abdominal surgery.By which means would the nurse determine the patient's level of pain to know how much medication to administer?
A) Have the patient rate the pain on a scale.
B) Give the medication that is ordered.
C) Start pain medication with the smallest dose possible.
D) Reposition the patient and assess the pain.
Q3) Which are side effects of narcotic agonist analgesics? (Select all that apply.)
A) Hyperalertness with euphoria
B) Nausea
C) Dizziness
D) Flushing
E) Sweating
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Chapter 15: Antiinflammatory,Musculoskeletal,and Antiarthritis Medications
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which should older adult patients on NSAIDs be monitored for?
A) Incidence of peptic ulcers
B) Decreased urine
C) Blood in urine
D) Night fevers
Q2) Allopurinol is not used in the treatment of an acute attack of gout for which reason?
A) It has no analgesic properties.
B) It cannot work alone.
C) It will not reduce uric acid levels.
D) It causes edema in the feet.
Q3) A patient is taking hydroxychloroquine sulfate.The physician will have the patient checked frequently for which condition?
A) Foot drop
B) Skin rash
C) Hearing loss
D) Retinopathy
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Chapter 16: Gastrointestinal Medications
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Sample Questions
Q1) A patient complains of constipation.Which high-fiber foods would the nurse instruct the patient to add to his diet? (Select all that apply.)
A) Apple juice
B) Oranges
C) Bran cereals
D) Figs
E) Kiwi
Q2) The nurse is instructing an elderly patient about the use of bisacodyl enteric-coated tablets for the treatment of constipation.Which response is true about this medication?
A) This medication can be chewed.
B) It is easily crushed for persons unable to swallow.
C) It should not be taken with milk.
D) Antacid will help the medication to be digested better.
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18
Chapter 17: Hematologic Products
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Sample Questions
Q1) To reduce the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in older adult patients,the nurse must be aware of giving anticoagulants with which drug?
A) Tylenol
B) Ibuprofen
C) Vitamin C
D) Vitamin E
Q2) Thrombolytic agents have which actions?
A) They prevent clot formation.
B) They lyse existing clots.
C) They increase the blood's viscosity.
D) They thin the blood.
Q3) A 50-year-old male patient is started on aspirin (ASA)80-mg tablets once daily as an antiplatelet agent.The nurse explains to this patient that ASA is the drug of choice for reducing the risk of which condition?
A) Hemorrhagic stroke
B) Ischemic stroke
C) Gastric inflammation
D) Cellular formation
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Chapter 18: Hormones and Steroids
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Sample Questions
Q1) A patient is taking insulin each morning.When the insulin peaks,the patient should be observed for which signs of hypoglycemia?
A) Nervousness, hunger, weakness, pallor, and confusion
B) Tachycardia and acetone breath
C) Tachycardia, loss of consciousness, and Kussmaul respirations
D) Serum glucose greater than 150 mg/dL, hunger, and confusion
Q2) Which laboratory findings are found in thyroid disease?
A) Elevated red blood cell count
B) Reduced free T<sub>4</sub> index
C) Decreased TSH
D) Elevated phosphorus
Q3) A patient is started on Byetta,one of the new antidiabetic agents.The patient asks how this medication will help lower blood sugar.Which is the best response made by the nurse?
A) It takes the place of insulin.
B) It restores insulin secretion.
C) It is taken with insulin to make it last.
D) It decreases the thirst for water.
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Chapter 19: Immunologic Medications
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which patient is at high risk for needing a booster injection of vaccine?
A) A 45-year-old high school secretary
B) A second-grade student
C) A teacher just finishing college
D) A soldier on active duty
Q2) Pneumococcal vaccine produces immunity against which illnesses? (Select all that apply.)
A) Pneumonitis
B) Meningitis
C) Pneumonia
D) Pertussis
E) Influenza
Q3) The nurse observes the arm of a patient who was given the Mantoux skin test for tuberculosis.There is induration of 3 mm.How should the nurse document the results?
A) Negative
B) Questionable
C) Positive for exposure
D) Positive for TB
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21
Chapter 20: Topical Medications
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Sample Questions
Q1) The nurse is providing education for a patient diagnosed with venereal warts.The patient was prescribed Condylox (podofilox)for treatment.Which statement made by the nurse is correct regarding this medication?
A) "This medication is to be taken daily by mouth."
B) "Apply to the affected area as needed with a cotton-tipped applicator."
C) "Apply solution or gel to venereal warts morning and evening with a cotton-tipped applicator."
D) "Apply medication with a cotton-tipped applicator and then wipe off after 30 minutes."
Q2) Trifluridine is an antiviral agent that is used in the eyes to treat what condition?
A) Dry eye
B) Corneal ulcers
C) Conjunctivitis
D) Inflammation
Q3) Which topical medication is used to treat pruritus?
A) Benzoyl peroxide
B) Burow solution
C) A colloidal bath
D) Silver nitrate
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Page 22
Chapter 21: Vitamins and Minerals
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Sample Questions
Q1) Magnesium is found in which food?
A) Bread
B) Meat
C) Eggs
D) Legumes
Q2) A patient is admitted to the hospital with complaints of blood in his stools.He says he feels weak and short of breath.His hematologic values reveal anemia.He is given two units of blood and is stabilized.Which mineral does the nurse anticipate will be used to treat him?
A) Iron
B) Zinc
C) Calcium
D) Magnesium
Q3) What should the nurse caution the patient to do while taking a liquid iron preparation?
A) Put the iron preparation in milk.
B) Put the iron preparation over ice.
C) Dilute the iron preparation with water and drink it with a straw.
D) Take the iron preparation with an antacid.
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