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NR 293 Pharmacology Final Exam Study Guide |
Questions with Verified Solutions & Detailed
Rationales | 2026–2027 Updated Chamberlain
Nursing Exam Prep | Grade A
Question 1
The nurse is reviewing the allergy history of a patient and notes that the patient is
allergic to penicillin. Based on this finding, the nurse would question an order for
which class of antibiotics?
a. tetracyclines
b. sulfonamides
c. cephalosporins
d. quinolones
CORRECT ANSWER: c. cephalosporins
Rationale: Cephalosporins are structurally related to penicillins (both are beta-lactam
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antibiotics). There is a potential for cross-allergenicity, and patients with a severe
penicillin allergy may also react to cephalosporins.
Question 2
The nurse is providing teaching to a patient taking an oral tetracycline antibiotic.
Which statement by the nurse is correct?
a. "avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds while on this medication"
b. "milk and cheese products result in increased levels of tetracycline"
c. "antacids taken with this medication help to reduce gastrointestinal distress"
d. "take the medication until you are feeling better"
CORRECT ANSWER: a. "avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds while on this
medication"
Rationale: Tetracyclines cause photosensitivity. Patients should avoid direct sunlight
and tanning beds to prevent severe sunburn. Dairy products and antacids decrease
tetracycline absorption, and the full course of antibiotics must be completed.
Question 3
When reviewing the medication orders for a patient who is taking penicillin, the nurse
notes that the patient is also taking the oral anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin). What
possible effect may occur as the result of an interaction between these drugs?
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a. the penicillin will cause an enhanced anticoagulant effect of the warfarin
b. the penicillin will cause the anticoagulant effect of the warfarin to decrease
c. the warfarin will reduce the anti-infective action of the penicillin
d. the warfarin will increase the effectiveness of the penicillin
CORRECT ANSWER: a. the penicillin will cause an enhanced anticoagulant effect of
the warfarin
Rationale: Penicillins can alter gut flora, which normally produces vitamin K. This can
lead to decreased vitamin K levels and an enhanced anticoagulant effect of warfarin,
increasing bleeding risk.
Question 4
A patient is receiving his third intravenous dose of a penicillin drug. He calls the nurse
to report that he is feeling "anxious" and is having trouble breathing. What will the
nurse do first?
a. notify the prescriber
b. take the patient's vital signs
c. stop the antibiotic infusion
d. check for allergies
CORRECT ANSWER: c. stop the antibiotic infusion
Rationale: Anxiety and difficulty breathing are signs of a potential anaphylactic reaction.
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The first action is to stop the infusion immediately to prevent further exposure to the
allergen.
Question 5
A patient is admitted with a fever of 102.8°F, origin unknown. Assessment reveals
cloudy, foul-smelling urine that is dark amber color. Orders have just been written to
obtain stat urine and blood cultures and to administer antibiotic intravenously. The
nurse will complete these orders in which sequence?
a. blood culture, antibiotic dose, urine culture
b. urine culture, antibiotic dose, blood culture
c. antibiotic dose, blood and urine cultures
d. blood and urine cultures, antibiotic dose
CORRECT ANSWER: d. blood and urine cultures, antibiotic dose
Rationale: Cultures should be obtained BEFORE initiating antibiotic therapy to ensure
accurate identification of the causative organism and its sensitivities. Administering
antibiotics first could interfere with culture results.
Question 6
During drug therapy with a tetracycline antibiotic, a patient complains of some nausea
and decreased appetite. Which statement is the nurse's best advice to the patient?
NR 293 Pharmacology Final Exam Study Guide |
Questions with Verified Solutions & Detailed
Rationales | 2026–2027 Updated Chamberlain
Nursing Exam Prep | Grade A
Question 1
The nurse is reviewing the allergy history of a patient and notes that the patient is
allergic to penicillin. Based on this finding, the nurse would question an order for
which class of antibiotics?
a. tetracyclines
b. sulfonamides
c. cephalosporins
d. quinolones
CORRECT ANSWER: c. cephalosporins
Rationale: Cephalosporins are structurally related to penicillins (both are beta-lactam
,2|Page
antibiotics). There is a potential for cross-allergenicity, and patients with a severe
penicillin allergy may also react to cephalosporins.
Question 2
The nurse is providing teaching to a patient taking an oral tetracycline antibiotic.
Which statement by the nurse is correct?
a. "avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds while on this medication"
b. "milk and cheese products result in increased levels of tetracycline"
c. "antacids taken with this medication help to reduce gastrointestinal distress"
d. "take the medication until you are feeling better"
CORRECT ANSWER: a. "avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds while on this
medication"
Rationale: Tetracyclines cause photosensitivity. Patients should avoid direct sunlight
and tanning beds to prevent severe sunburn. Dairy products and antacids decrease
tetracycline absorption, and the full course of antibiotics must be completed.
Question 3
When reviewing the medication orders for a patient who is taking penicillin, the nurse
notes that the patient is also taking the oral anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin). What
possible effect may occur as the result of an interaction between these drugs?
,3|Page
a. the penicillin will cause an enhanced anticoagulant effect of the warfarin
b. the penicillin will cause the anticoagulant effect of the warfarin to decrease
c. the warfarin will reduce the anti-infective action of the penicillin
d. the warfarin will increase the effectiveness of the penicillin
CORRECT ANSWER: a. the penicillin will cause an enhanced anticoagulant effect of
the warfarin
Rationale: Penicillins can alter gut flora, which normally produces vitamin K. This can
lead to decreased vitamin K levels and an enhanced anticoagulant effect of warfarin,
increasing bleeding risk.
Question 4
A patient is receiving his third intravenous dose of a penicillin drug. He calls the nurse
to report that he is feeling "anxious" and is having trouble breathing. What will the
nurse do first?
a. notify the prescriber
b. take the patient's vital signs
c. stop the antibiotic infusion
d. check for allergies
CORRECT ANSWER: c. stop the antibiotic infusion
Rationale: Anxiety and difficulty breathing are signs of a potential anaphylactic reaction.
, 4|Page
The first action is to stop the infusion immediately to prevent further exposure to the
allergen.
Question 5
A patient is admitted with a fever of 102.8°F, origin unknown. Assessment reveals
cloudy, foul-smelling urine that is dark amber color. Orders have just been written to
obtain stat urine and blood cultures and to administer antibiotic intravenously. The
nurse will complete these orders in which sequence?
a. blood culture, antibiotic dose, urine culture
b. urine culture, antibiotic dose, blood culture
c. antibiotic dose, blood and urine cultures
d. blood and urine cultures, antibiotic dose
CORRECT ANSWER: d. blood and urine cultures, antibiotic dose
Rationale: Cultures should be obtained BEFORE initiating antibiotic therapy to ensure
accurate identification of the causative organism and its sensitivities. Administering
antibiotics first could interfere with culture results.
Question 6
During drug therapy with a tetracycline antibiotic, a patient complains of some nausea
and decreased appetite. Which statement is the nurse's best advice to the patient?
