CMS PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM 2
PRACTICE EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ACCURATE ANSWERS
◉ 2.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne. Before
the administration of this medication, the nurse anticipates that
which laboratory test will be prescribed?
1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete blood count
4. White blood cell count Answer: 2. Triglyceride level
Rationale:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride levels
should be measured before treatment and periodically thereafter
until the effect on the triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3,
and 4 do not need to be monitored specifically during this treatment.
◉ 8.) A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health
care provider (HCP) prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the
client's medication record and would contact the (HCP) if the client
is taking which medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
,3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin) Answer: 1. Vitamin A
Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce
generalized intensification of isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the
potential for increased toxicity, vitamin A supplements should be
discontinued before isotretinoin therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not
contraindicated with the use of isotretinoin.
◉ 9.) The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a client with
eczema. The nurse would monitor for the potential for increased
systemic absorption of the medication if the medication were being
applied to which of the following body areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
3. Soles of the feet
4. Palms of the hands Answer: 2. Axilla
Rationale:
Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the systemic
circulation. Absorption is higher from regions where the skin is
especially permeable (scalp, axilla, face, eyelids, neck, perineum,
genitalia), and lower from regions in which permeability is poor
(back, palms, soles).
,◉ 10.) The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a
client. The nurse notes that the client is taking azelaic acid (Azelex).
Because of the medication prescription, the nurse would suspect
that the client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex Answer: 1. Acne
Rationale:
Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate
acne. The acid appears to work by suppressing the growth of
Propionibacterium acnes and decreasing the proliferation of
keratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
◉ 11.) The health care provider has prescribed silver sulfadiazine
(Silvadene) for the client with a partial-thickness burn, which has
cultured positive for gram-negative bacteria. The nurse is
reinforcing information to the client about the medication. Which
statement made by the client indicates a lack of understanding
about the treatments?
1. "The medication is an antibacterial."
2. "The medication will help heal the burn."
3. "The medication will permanently stain my skin."
4. "The medication should be applied directly to the wound."
Answer: 3. "The medication will permanently stain my skin."
, Rationale:
Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) is an antibacterial that has a broad
spectrum of activity against gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive
bacteria, and yeast. It is applied directly to the wound to assist in
healing. It does not stain the skin.
◉ 12.) A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving an intravenous
(IV) infusion of an antineoplastic medication. During the infusion,
the client complains of pain at the insertion site. During an
inspection of the site, the nurse notes redness and swelling and that
the rate of infusion of the medication has slowed. The nurse should
take which appropriate action?
1. Notify the registered nurse.
2. Administer pain medication to reduce the discomfort.
3. Apply ice and maintain the infusion rate, as prescribed.
4. Elevate the extremity of the IV site, and slow the infusion.
Answer: 1. Notify the registered nurse.
Rationale:
When antineoplastic medications (Chemotheraputic Agents) are
administered via IV, great care must be taken to prevent the
medication from escaping into the tissues surrounding the injection
site, because pain, tissue damage, and necrosis can result. The nurse
monitors for signs of extravasation, such as redness or swelling at
the insertion site and a decreased infusion rate. If extravasation
occurs, the registered nurse needs to be notified; he or she will then
contact the health care provider.
PRACTICE EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ACCURATE ANSWERS
◉ 2.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne. Before
the administration of this medication, the nurse anticipates that
which laboratory test will be prescribed?
1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete blood count
4. White blood cell count Answer: 2. Triglyceride level
Rationale:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride levels
should be measured before treatment and periodically thereafter
until the effect on the triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3,
and 4 do not need to be monitored specifically during this treatment.
◉ 8.) A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health
care provider (HCP) prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the
client's medication record and would contact the (HCP) if the client
is taking which medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
,3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin) Answer: 1. Vitamin A
Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce
generalized intensification of isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the
potential for increased toxicity, vitamin A supplements should be
discontinued before isotretinoin therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not
contraindicated with the use of isotretinoin.
◉ 9.) The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a client with
eczema. The nurse would monitor for the potential for increased
systemic absorption of the medication if the medication were being
applied to which of the following body areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
3. Soles of the feet
4. Palms of the hands Answer: 2. Axilla
Rationale:
Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the systemic
circulation. Absorption is higher from regions where the skin is
especially permeable (scalp, axilla, face, eyelids, neck, perineum,
genitalia), and lower from regions in which permeability is poor
(back, palms, soles).
,◉ 10.) The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a
client. The nurse notes that the client is taking azelaic acid (Azelex).
Because of the medication prescription, the nurse would suspect
that the client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex Answer: 1. Acne
Rationale:
Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate
acne. The acid appears to work by suppressing the growth of
Propionibacterium acnes and decreasing the proliferation of
keratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
◉ 11.) The health care provider has prescribed silver sulfadiazine
(Silvadene) for the client with a partial-thickness burn, which has
cultured positive for gram-negative bacteria. The nurse is
reinforcing information to the client about the medication. Which
statement made by the client indicates a lack of understanding
about the treatments?
1. "The medication is an antibacterial."
2. "The medication will help heal the burn."
3. "The medication will permanently stain my skin."
4. "The medication should be applied directly to the wound."
Answer: 3. "The medication will permanently stain my skin."
, Rationale:
Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) is an antibacterial that has a broad
spectrum of activity against gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive
bacteria, and yeast. It is applied directly to the wound to assist in
healing. It does not stain the skin.
◉ 12.) A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving an intravenous
(IV) infusion of an antineoplastic medication. During the infusion,
the client complains of pain at the insertion site. During an
inspection of the site, the nurse notes redness and swelling and that
the rate of infusion of the medication has slowed. The nurse should
take which appropriate action?
1. Notify the registered nurse.
2. Administer pain medication to reduce the discomfort.
3. Apply ice and maintain the infusion rate, as prescribed.
4. Elevate the extremity of the IV site, and slow the infusion.
Answer: 1. Notify the registered nurse.
Rationale:
When antineoplastic medications (Chemotheraputic Agents) are
administered via IV, great care must be taken to prevent the
medication from escaping into the tissues surrounding the injection
site, because pain, tissue damage, and necrosis can result. The nurse
monitors for signs of extravasation, such as redness or swelling at
the insertion site and a decreased infusion rate. If extravasation
occurs, the registered nurse needs to be notified; he or she will then
contact the health care provider.
