1
RN Pharmacology A Relias Exam
2026/2027 Actual Exam | 100%
Correct Answers | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
Section 1: Pharmacological Principles
Q1: A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a patient with a nasogastric tube. Which of
the following actions is correct?
A. Crush enteric-coated tablets for administration
B. Administer each medication separately and flush with water between medications
[CORRECT]
C. Mix all medications together in one syringe
D. Flush with 5 mL of water after all medications
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Each medication should be administered separately with flushes between to prevent
tube occlusion and drug interactions. Option A is incorrect—enteric-coated tablets should not be
crushed. Option C increases risk of incompatibilities. Option D (5 mL) is insufficient; 15-30 mL
is recommended.
Q2: A nurse administers a medication via the wrong route. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take FIRST?
A. Complete an incident report
B. Assess the patient for adverse effects [CORRECT]
C. Notify the provider
D. Document the error in the medical record
,2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority. The nurse must FIRST assess the patient for any adverse
effects. Option A (incident report) is important but not first. Option C (notify provider) should
occur after assessment. Option D (documentation) occurs after appropriate interventions.
Q3: A nurse has an order to administer 500 mg of a medication PO. The medication is available
as 250 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 2 tablets [CORRECT]
D. 3 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using the dosage formula: Desired (500 mg) ÷ Have (250 mg) × Quantity (1 tablet) =
500 ÷ 250 × 1 = 2 tablets. Options A, B, and D result from incorrect calculations.
Q4: A patient is taking warfarin and has an INR of 4.2. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
B. Hold the next dose and notify the provider [CORRECT]
C. Administer vitamin K immediately
D. Increase the next dose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: INR >4 indicates excessive anticoagulation. The nurse should hold the next dose and
notify the provider. Option A increases bleeding risk. Option C (vitamin K) requires provider
order. Option D would worsen elevation.
Q5: A patient is taking digoxin. Which of the following findings requires withholding the dose
and notifying the provider?
, 3
A. Heart rate 62 bpm
B. Potassium level 3.2 mEq/L [CORRECT]
C. Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
D. Respiratory rate 18/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Potassium <3.5 mEq/L requires
withholding and notification. Option A (HR 62) is above typical hold parameters (<60). Options
C and D are within normal limits.
Q6: The nurse is teaching a patient about taking nitroglycerin sublingually. Which instruction is
correct?
A. "Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water."
B. "Take one tablet every 5 minutes for up to three doses. If pain persists, seek emergency care."
[CORRECT]
C. "Store the tablets in a warm, moist place."
D. "Use the tablets after their expiration date as long as they look normal."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct nitroglycerin instructions: take one tablet at onset of pain; if no relief, repeat
every 5 minutes for up to 3 doses; if pain persists, seek emergency care. Option A is incorrect—
sublingual tablets are not swallowed. Option C is incorrect—store in cool, dry place. Option D is
incorrect—expired tablets lose potency.
Q7: The nurse is administering furosemide (Lasix) to a patient with heart failure. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Serum potassium [CORRECT]
B. Serum sodium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
RN Pharmacology A Relias Exam
2026/2027 Actual Exam | 100%
Correct Answers | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
Section 1: Pharmacological Principles
Q1: A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a patient with a nasogastric tube. Which of
the following actions is correct?
A. Crush enteric-coated tablets for administration
B. Administer each medication separately and flush with water between medications
[CORRECT]
C. Mix all medications together in one syringe
D. Flush with 5 mL of water after all medications
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Each medication should be administered separately with flushes between to prevent
tube occlusion and drug interactions. Option A is incorrect—enteric-coated tablets should not be
crushed. Option C increases risk of incompatibilities. Option D (5 mL) is insufficient; 15-30 mL
is recommended.
Q2: A nurse administers a medication via the wrong route. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take FIRST?
A. Complete an incident report
B. Assess the patient for adverse effects [CORRECT]
C. Notify the provider
D. Document the error in the medical record
,2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority. The nurse must FIRST assess the patient for any adverse
effects. Option A (incident report) is important but not first. Option C (notify provider) should
occur after assessment. Option D (documentation) occurs after appropriate interventions.
Q3: A nurse has an order to administer 500 mg of a medication PO. The medication is available
as 250 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 2 tablets [CORRECT]
D. 3 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using the dosage formula: Desired (500 mg) ÷ Have (250 mg) × Quantity (1 tablet) =
500 ÷ 250 × 1 = 2 tablets. Options A, B, and D result from incorrect calculations.
Q4: A patient is taking warfarin and has an INR of 4.2. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
B. Hold the next dose and notify the provider [CORRECT]
C. Administer vitamin K immediately
D. Increase the next dose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: INR >4 indicates excessive anticoagulation. The nurse should hold the next dose and
notify the provider. Option A increases bleeding risk. Option C (vitamin K) requires provider
order. Option D would worsen elevation.
Q5: A patient is taking digoxin. Which of the following findings requires withholding the dose
and notifying the provider?
, 3
A. Heart rate 62 bpm
B. Potassium level 3.2 mEq/L [CORRECT]
C. Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
D. Respiratory rate 18/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Potassium <3.5 mEq/L requires
withholding and notification. Option A (HR 62) is above typical hold parameters (<60). Options
C and D are within normal limits.
Q6: The nurse is teaching a patient about taking nitroglycerin sublingually. Which instruction is
correct?
A. "Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water."
B. "Take one tablet every 5 minutes for up to three doses. If pain persists, seek emergency care."
[CORRECT]
C. "Store the tablets in a warm, moist place."
D. "Use the tablets after their expiration date as long as they look normal."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct nitroglycerin instructions: take one tablet at onset of pain; if no relief, repeat
every 5 minutes for up to 3 doses; if pain persists, seek emergency care. Option A is incorrect—
sublingual tablets are not swallowed. Option C is incorrect—store in cool, dry place. Option D is
incorrect—expired tablets lose potency.
Q7: The nurse is administering furosemide (Lasix) to a patient with heart failure. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Serum potassium [CORRECT]
B. Serum sodium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
