HOSA Pharmacology Exam (New 2026–2027 Edition) Complete Study Guide | Verified Questions and Accurate Answers | A+ Performance

…..DLDD HOSA Pharmacology Exam (New 2026–2027 Edition) Complete Study Guide | Verified Questions and Accurate Answers | A+ Performance. Q. An inhaler is prescribed to a patient with asthma. The nurse provides instructions regarding the side effects of this medication. Which expected side effect is considered undesirable? ANSWERS Insomnia Q. A client is prescribed guaifenesin. The nurse determines that the client understands the proper administration of this medication when the client makes which of the following statements? ANSWERS I will drink extra fluids while taking this medication Q. The nurse is caring for a client who develops a bluish discoloration in their skin. Which of the following terms best describes this finding? ANSWERS Cyanotic Q. A client is receiving theophylline. After several dosages, the client starts to become restless and complains of palpitations. Which of the following does the nurse identify is occurring? ANSWERS The client is experiencing adverse effects of theophylline Q. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed tiotropium. The client reports understanding of the medication when the client makes which of the following statements? ANSWERS I should notify the doctor if my lips become swollen Q. Montelukast (Singulair) is prescribed to a patient with asthma. During medication therapy, which of the following laboratory values should be monitored? ANSWERS ALT and AST Q. The nurse is providing medication teaching to a client who is receiving theophylline. The nurse instructs the client to limit intake of which of the following? ANSWERS Cola and chocolate Q. Which of the following medications are suitable for all ages? Select all that apply. ANSWERS Guaifenesin Prednisone Q. The nurse is caring for a 3-year-old child and would question an order for which of the following medications? ANSWERS Fluticasone Q. Which of the following medications acts directly on adrenergic receptors to produce vasoconstriction and shrink nasal mucosa membranes? ANSWERS Pseudoephedrine Q. The nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed albuterol via metered dose inhaler (MDI). Which action by the client would indicate to the nurse that additional teaching is required? ANSWERS Waits 10 seconds before administering the second inhalation Q. The nurse is caring for an older adult client who has been prescribed pseudoephedrine. The nurse should question the prescription if the client has which of the following conditions? Select all that apply. ANSWERS Severe hypertension Narrow-angle glaucoma Coronary artery disease (CAD) Q. The nurse is caring for a client whose prescribed medication has an effect that is opposite to what is expected. Which of the following terms best describes this phenomenon? ANSWERS paradoxical effect Q. The nurse is caring for a 3-year-old child with shortness of breath and audible wheezing. The nurse expects the child to be prescribed which of the following medications? ANSWERS montelukast Q. The nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed an antihistamine. The nurse determines correct client understanding when the client makes which of the following statements? ANSWERS Frequent oral hygiene may help the side effect of dry mouth. Q. The nurse knows that the client requiring an antitussive agent would have which assessment findings? ANSWERS Dry, hacking, nonproductive cough Q. Which client would benefit most by the nurse's administration of a beta-adrenergic agonist inhaled medication? ANSWERS The client with shortness of breath and wheezing Q. The nursing student explains to the instructor the reason that guaifenesin was ordered for the client. The student would state that it is given to: ANSWERS decrease viscosity of secretions Q. The nurse is teaching a client about an oral decongestant, and the client would like to know the benefits of taking an orally administered decongestant. Which of the following is the best response by the nurse? ANSWERS Rebound congestion is nearly absent Q. The nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed a corticosteroid. The nurse should teach the client to report which of the following to the provider if it occurs? ANSWERS bruising Q. The nurse is caring for a client with a long history of allergic rhinitis who has a new order for cetirizine. The nurse knows that which of the following is the primary advantage of cetirizine over diphenhydramine? ANSWERS less drowsiness Q. A client who is newly diagnosed with asthma is started on albuterol. What client statement indicates that teaching has been effective? ANSWERS I will shake the aerosol canister well before using it Q. What assessment findings would indicate to the nurse that the client may need an antitussive agent? ANSWERS Cough with little or no mucus in their airways Q. What common side effect would the nurse expect to see in the patient taking the nasal decongestant pseudoephedrine? ANSWERS headache Q. The nursing student explains to the instructor that teaching regarding a xanthine derivative should include avoiding which of the following foods? ANSWERS energy drinks Q. The patient with chronic bronchitis has a cough and difficulty expectorating secretions. What is the rationale for the provider ordering an expectorant for this client? ANSWERS Expectorants reduce the viscosity of tenacious secretions Q. The nurse teaches a medication class on bronchodilators for clients with asthma. The nurse evaluates that learning has occurred when one of the clients makes which statement? ANSWERS The medication widens the airway because it stimulates the fight-or-flight response. Q. The nurse is aware that antihistamines should be used with caution in an older adult due to which of the following reasons? ANSWERS Increased fiber may be needed due to the possibility of anticholinergic effects such as constipation. Q. Which of the following assessment findings alerts the nurse to notify the provider for the client taking pseudoephedrine? ANSWERS Blood pressure of 160/88 mm Hg Q. Which of the following tasks can the charge nurse delegate to the licensed practical nurse (LPN)? ANSWERS Administer a nasal spray to a patient with rhinitis Q. The nurse working on the respiratory unit should see which client first? ANSWERS The client with suspected tuberculosis (TB) who is reporting a cough The nurse knows that the client newly prescribed corticosteroids should closely be monitored for which of the following? increased glucose level The nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed an antitussive medication containing codeine. What is the nurse's priority assessment prior to administering this medication? respiratory rate The nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with asthma. Which of the following medications is a locally acting anti-inflammatory and immune modifier that the nurse would expect the client to most likely be prescribed? fluticasone The nurse is caring for a client with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Which of the following medications would the nurse expect to most likely be prescribed? short acting (albuterol) Diphenhydramine Class: antihistamine MOA: Blocks the H1 histamine receptors reducing allergy symptoms and causing sedation Pseudophedrine class: alpha-adrenergic agonist (P.O.) MOA: Stimulates alpha- and beta-adrenergic recept Use: allergic rhinitis contra: antihistamine use Guaifenesin Class: expectorant MOA: Acts as an expectorant by increasing the volume and reducing the viscosity of secretions in the trachea and bronchi Use: Cough associated with viral upper respiratory tract infections Codeine-Guaifenesin Class: opioid antitussive MOA: Codeine works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. Guaifenesin is an expectorant that works by thinning and loosening mucus in the airways. Use: productive cough Albuterol Class: beta-2 agonist MOA: Stimulates Beta 2-adrenergic receptors in the smooth muscle of bronchi and bronchioles producing bronchodilation. Beta-1 receptors can also be inadvertently stimulated, causing tachycardia Use: Short-acting albuterol is used to prevent or treat bronchospasms in people with asthma, reversible obstructive airway disease, or exercise-induced bronchospasm. Long-acting salmeterol is used to prevent bronchospasm Dextromethorphan Class: non-opioid antitussive MOA: Suppress a cough by depressing the cough center in the medulla oblongata or the cough receptors in the throat, trachea, or lungs, effectively elevating the threshold for coughing Use: Used for a dry, hacking, nonproductive cough that interferes with rest and sleep Theophylline Class: xanthine derivative MOA: Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle by inhibition of the enzyme phosphodiesterase and suppresses airway responsiveness to stimuli that cause bronchoconstriction. Use: Used for the long-term management of persistent asthma that is unresponsive to beta agonists or inhaled corticosteroids. Fluticasone Class: corticosteroid MOA: Reduces airway inflammation Use: allergies, long term use for maintenance of asthma Montelukast Class: leukotriene receptor antagonist MOA: Blocks leukotriene receptors and decreases inflammation (disruption of the inflammatory response). Use: Used for the long-term control of asthma and for decreasing the frequency of asthma attacks. It is also indicated for exercise-induced bronchospasm and allergic rhinitis. Asthma triggers (6) Hypersensitivity URI Exercise Air pollutants Respiratory infections GERD 2nd generation antihistamines Fexofenadine, loratadine, and cetirizine Relieves symptoms and has lower incidence of drowsiness Diltiazem Class: antiarrhythmic - calcium channel blocker MOA: Inhibit calcium during depolarization to decrease the workload of the heart, increases oxygen supply to myocardium. Relax smooth muscle and decreases peripheral resistance. Used to treat angina, hypertension, and supraventricular tachycardias. Digoxin Class: cardiac glycosides MOA: Digoxin works by inhibiting the sodium and potassium pump, which results in an increase in intracellular sodium and an influx of calcium into cardiac cells, causing the cardiac muscle fibers to contract more efficiently and increase cardiac output. Monitor serum potassium & digoxin levels Toxicity treatment: Digibind (Digoxin immune Fab) Nitroglycerin Class: antianginals MOA: Nitrates promote vasodilation of coronary arteries and veins. Furosemide Class: loop diuretic MOA: Inhibit absorption of sodium and chloride in the loop of Henle and proximal and distal tubules, thus causing fluid loss, along with sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium losses. Loop diuretics are very potent diuretics and are used when a client has an exacerbation of fluid overload. Spironolactone Class: potassium sparing diuretics MOA: Acts primarily through competitive binding of receptors at the aldosterone-dependent sodium-potassium exchange site in the distal convoluted renal tubule. Spironolactone causes increased amounts of sodium and water to be excreted, while potassium is retained. Use: Used to treat hypertension and to control edema for clients with heart failure or liver dysfunction. Captopril Class: ACE inhibitors MOA: blocks the conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Use: to treat hypertension and heart failure. Atorvastatin Calcium Class: Antilipemics - HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors MOA: Antilipemic agents reduce hyperlipidemia that may lead to additional health problems such as stroke, myocardial infarction, angina, and heart failure. They decrease serum cholesterol and LDL levels. Enoxaprin Class: Anticoagulants- LMW Heparin MOA: Low molecular weight heparin, which has antithrombotic properties with a higher ratio of anti-Factor Xa to anti- Factor IIa activity compared to heparin. It prevents the formation of clots. Warfarin Class: Anticoagulants MOA: inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, which include Factors II, VII, IX, and X and the anticoagulant proteins C and S. Alteplase (tPA) Class: thrombolytics MOA: binds to fibrin in a thrombus and converts the entrapped plasminogen to plasmin, thus breaking down the clot. Use: treatment of MI, ischemic stroke, or PE Which of the following clients is at greatest risk for digoxin toxicity? A client with CHF Which of the following is a contraindication for digoxin administration? heart rate below 60 The action of medication is inotropic when it does which of the following? Increases cardiac output Which action is most appropriate for the nurse to take before administering digoxin? Monitor potassium level What is the therapeutic drug level for digoxin? 0.8-2.0 ng/mL Bradycardia and visual changes (halos) are signs of: Digoxin toxicity When administering an antiarrhythmic agent, which of the following assessment parameters is the most important for the nurse to evaluate? pulse rate The nurse is caring for a client taking a beta-blocker. Which of the following should the nurse include in a priority assessment? Select all that apply. Blood pressure Glucose level Baseline ECG Pulse rate Routine laboratory monitoring in clients taking a beta-blocker should include which of the following? glucose Beta-blockers should be avoided in which of the following conditions? bronchoconstriction The nurse is reviewing a new client's medication administration record (MAR). The nurse knows that which of the following medications is most likely to cause hypokalemia? Furosemide The nurse is conducting triage over the phone for a client who reports a persistent, severe, dry cough. Which class of medication does the nurse know can cause this adverse effect? Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor What should the nurse place as a priority when caring for a client who is being treated for hypertension with a vasodilator? Instructing the patient to rise slowly The nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed a beta-blocker. What should be the nurse's priority assessment? vital signs The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor for hypertension. Which client statement would indicate understanding of medication teaching? If my eyes and lips get puffy, I will notify the doctor The nurse is monitoring their assigned clients on the cardiac unit. Which client would have an increased risk for digoxin toxicity? The client with decreased renal function The nursing student knows that physical assessment findings that indicate digoxin toxicity include which of the following? Nausea, anorexia, and vision changes Which of the following laboratory values needs continuous monitoring when the client takes digoxin therapy? Select all that apply. Potassium level Serum digoxin level The nurse is providing teaching to a client prescribed an antiarrhythmic medication. The nurse determines correct understanding when the client makes which of the following statements? "I will change positions slowly." A client is prescribed heparin therapy for treatment of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which laboratory value should the nurse assess prior to administration? partial thromboplastin time (PTT) The nurse is caring for a patient on heparin therapy. What would be the PRIORITY nursing assessment in the care of this patient? Assess for bruising True or False: The antidote for a client receiving warfarin is vitamin K True The nurse assesses a client who is on heparin and finds blood in the urinary catheter bag. What should the nurse be prepared to administer? protamine sulfate A client is being started on diuretic therapy due to congestive heart failure. Which instruction should be given by the nurse? Take your pill early in the day The nursing students asks the instructor why it is important to administer Furosemide slowly when given IV. What is the best response by the instructor? IV administration of furosemide may cause ototoxicity if administered too quickly. A client taking a new medication for hypertension develops angioedema, neutropenia, and a chronic cough. Which drug class is most closely associated with these side effects? Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor The nurse is teaching a patient about newly prescribed diuretic. What should be the priority nursing instruction for this client? change position slowly The nurse teaches the patient recently diagnosed with angina that after taking one dose of nitroglycerin, they should: Call 911 The nurse is caring for a client with hyperlipidemia who is prescribed atorvastatin. Which client statement indicates that additional medication teaching is needed? I will take my medication every day with grapefruit juice The nursing student teaches the client about dietary considerations when taking warfarin. The student should tell the client to avoid which of the following foods? grapefruit juice True or False: Serum digoxin levels should be at 0.8 to 2.0 ng/mL for a normal therapeutic range. True The nurse reviews the medication administration record (MAR) for a client reporting angina who is prescribed nitroglycerin. The nurse knows that this medication is contraindicated in which of the following clients? The client taking sildenafil or similar medications for erectile dysfunction in the previous 24 hours Furosemide can cause which of the following conditions? hypokalemia Thiazide diuretics can cause: hypokalemia Spironolactone can cause: hyperkalemia The patient is receiving two different drugs. At current dosages and dosage forms, both drugs are absorbed into the circulation in identical amounts. Thus, because they have the same absorption rates, they are.. Bioequivalent When given an intravenous medication, the patient says to the nurse, "I usually take pills. Why does this medication have to be given in the arm?" What is the nurse's best answer? The action will begin sooner The nurse is administering parenteral drugs. Which statement is true regarding parenteral drugs? Parenteral drugs bypass the first pass effect When monitoring the patient receiving an intravenous infusion to reduce blood pressure, the nurse notes that the patient's blood pressure is extremely low, and the patient is lethargic and difficult to awaken. This would be classified as which type of adverse drug reaction? ? When administering drugs, the nurse remembers that the duration of action of a drug is defined as the time For a drug's concentration to be sufficient to cause a therapeutic response When administering a new medication to a patient, the nurse reads that it is highly protein bound. Assuming that the patient's albumin levels are normal, the nurse would expect which result, as compared to a medication that is not highly protein bound? The duration of action of the medication will be longer The patient is experiencing chest pain and needs to take a sublingual form of nitroglycerin. Where does the nurse instruct the patient to place the tablet? Under the tongue The nurse is administering medications to the patient who is in liver failure resulting from end-stage cirrhosis. The nurse is aware that patients with liver failure would most likely have problems with which pharmacokinetic phase? metabolim A patient who has advanced cancer is receiving opioid medications around the clock to keep him comfortable as he nears the end of his life. Which term best describes this type of therapy? palliative What is it called when you get an opposite effect that you wanted? idiosyncratic The patient is complaining of a headache and asks the nurse which over-the-counter medication form would work the fastest to help reduce the pain. Which medication form will the nurse suggest? ????? When discussing dosage calculation for pediatric patients with a clinical pharmacist, the nurse notes that which type of dosage calculation is used most commonly in pediatric calculations? west nomogram The nurse is assessing a newly admitted 83-year-old patient and determines that the patient is experiencing polypharmacy. Which statement most accurately illustrates polypharmacy? the patient takes meds for several different illnesses The nurse is aware that confusion, forgetfulness, and increased risk for falls are common responses in an elderly patient who is taking which type of drug? anticoagulants, sedatives For accurate medication administration to pediatric patients, the nurse must take into account which criteria? weight and organ maturity An HIV/AIDS patient has been taking a low dose of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim/Bactrim DS for about 6 months to prevent opportunistic infections namely pneumonia. He has developed unusual bruising on his face and upper body and it is getting progressively worse. You would expect that he is experiencing the adverse effect: SJS An elderly patient with a new diagnosis of hypertension will be receiving a new prescription for an antihypertensive drug. The nurse expects which type of dosing to occur with this drug therapy? the patient will receive the lowest dose possible and then increase the dose if needed For which cultural group must the health care provider respect the value placed on preserving harmony with nature and the belief that disease is a result of ill spirits? Native Americans The nurse is assessing an elderly Hispanic woman who is being treated for hypertension. During the assessment, what is important for the nurse to remember about cultural aspects? the nurses assessment should include information regarding religious practices and beliefs regarding medications, treatment, and healing A pediatric patient has received oral amoxicillin/Amoxil for strep pharyngitis and the WBC remains above 12,000. You expect that the health care provider will change the antibiotic to: macrolide (-mycin) Nurses have the ethical responsibility to tell the truth to their patients. What is this principle known as? veracity During a busy night shift, a new nurse administered an unfamiliar medication without checking it in a drug handbook. Later that day, the patient had a severe reaction because he has renal problems, which was a contraindication to that drug. The nurse may be liable for ? The nurse is reviewing medication errors. Which situation is an example of a medication error? a patient received double the dose because the nurse did not cut the pill in half When given a scheduled morning medication, the patient states, "I haven't seen that pill before. Are you sure it's correct?" The nurse checks the medication administration record and verifies that it is listed. Which is the nurse's best response? I'll check on the order first before you take it The nurse is setting up a teaching session with an 85-year-old patient who will be going home on anticoagulant therapy. Which educational strategy would reflect consideration of the age-related changes that may exist with this patient? Develop large print handouts that reflect the verbal information presented During an admission assessment, the nurse discovers that the patient does not speak English. Which is considered the ideal resource for translation? they should find a translator A 60-year-old patient is on several new medications and expresses worry that she will forget to take her pills. Which action by the nurse would be most helpful in this situation? Assist with using a pill box or calendar The patient is asking the nurse about current U.S. laws and regulations of herbal products. According to the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994, which statement is true? Herbs are viewed as dietary supplements The patient has been taking an over-the-counter (OTC) acid-reducing drug because he has had "stomach problems" for several months. He tells the nurse that the medicine helps as long as he takes it, but once he stops it, the symptoms return. Which statement by the nurse is the best advice for this patient? using this drug may relieve your symptoms, but it does not address the cause. you should be seen by your health care provider A patient wants to take the herb gingko to help his memory. The nurse reviews his current medication list and would be concerned about potential interactions if he is taking a medication from which class of drugs? anticoagulants The nurse is explaining the Human Genome Project to colleagues. The main purpose of the Human Genome Project is to map the human genome When reviewing the allergy history of a patient, the nurse notes that the patient is allergic to penicillin. Based on this finding, the nurse would question an order for which class of antibiotics? cephalosporins The nurse is providing teaching to a patient taking an oral tetracycline antibiotic. Which statement by the nurse is correct? avoid sunlight and tanning beds, can't kid to kids or pregnant women 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? the penicillin will cause an enhanced action of warfarin 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? stop the IV infusion (possible anaphylaxis reaction) A patient is admitted with a fever of 102.8° F (39.3° C), origin unknown. Assessment reveals cloudy, foul-smelling urine that is dark amber in color. Orders have just been written to obtain stat urine and blood cultures and to administer an antibiotic intravenously. The nurse will complete these orders in which sequence? obtain stat urine and blood cultures first 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? drink a full glass of water The nurse is monitoring a patient who has been on antibiotic therapy for 2 weeks. Today the patient tells the nurse that he has had watery diarrhea since the day before and is having abdominal cramps. His oral temperature is 101° F (38.3° C). Based on these findings, which conclusion will the nurse draw? ? The nurse is monitoring for therapeutic results of antibiotic therapy in a patient with an infection. Which laboratory value would indicate therapeutic effectiveness of this therapy? decreased WBC count A patient will be having oral surgery and has received an antibiotic to take for 1 week before the surgery. The nurse knows that this is an example of which type of therapy? prophylactic A patient has a urinary tract infection. The nurse knows that which class of drugs is especially useful for such infections? sulfonamides During drug therapy for pneumonia, a female patient develops a vaginal superinfection. The nurse explains that this infection is caused by large doses of antibiotics that kill normal flora The nurse is preparing to use an antiseptic. Which statement is correct regarding how antiseptics differ from disinfectants? Disinfectants are used only on non-living objects patient admitted to the ICU because of an automobile accident now has aspiration pneumonia. On the patients admission EKG it is noted that the Q-T interval is 0.60 seconds and the normal is 0.42 seconds. Which of the following antibiotics will you NOT anticipate giving. Quinalones When a patient is on aminoglycoside therapy, the nurse will monitor the patient for which indicators of potential toxicity? tinnitus and hearing loss The nurse is administering a vancomycin (Vancocin) infusion. Which measure is appropriate for the nurse to implement in order to reduce complications that may occur with this drug's administration? infusing the drug over at least 1 hour A patient who has been hospitalized for 2 weeks has developed a pressure ulcer that contains multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which drug would the nurse expect to be chosen for therapy? Vancomyocin A patient is receiving aminoglycoside therapy and will be receiving a beta-lactam antibiotic as well. The patient asks why two antibiotics have been ordered. What is the nurse's best response? the combined effects of the meds are better than their effects alone The nurse checks the patient's laboratory work prior to administering a dose of vancomycin (Vancocin) and finds that the trough vancomycin level is 24 mcg/mL. What will the nurse do next? hold the drug and notify the physician A 79-year-old patient is receiving a quinolone as treatment for a complicated incision infection. The nurse will monitor for which adverse effect that is associated with these drugs? tendonitis and tendon rupture