PHARMACOLOGY AND THE NURSING
PROCESS, 10TH EDITION PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026
Unit I: Pharmacological Basics & The Nursing Process
1. The nurse is developing a human needs statement for a patient with a new diagnosis of heart
failure. Identification of human needs statements occurs during which activity?
a. Collection of patient data
b. Administering interventions
c. Deciding on patient outcomes
d. Documenting the patient's behavior
Correct Answer: a. Collection of patient data
Rationale: The identification of human needs (formerly nursing diagnosis) occurs during the assessment
phase when the nurse collects and analyzes patient data to identify actual or potential health problems .
2. The patient is to receive oral guaifenesin twice a day. The nurse was busy and gave the medication
2 hours after the scheduled dose was due. What right of medication administration does this
represent a violation of?
a. “Right time”
b. “Right dose”
c. “Right route”
d. “Right medication”
,Correct Answer: a. “Right time”
Rationale: The “Right time” standard typically requires that medications be given within 30 minutes
before or after the scheduled time. Giving a dose 2 hours late violates this right .
3. The nurse has been monitoring a patient's progress on a new drug regimen since the first dose and
documenting the patient's therapeutic response. Which phase of the nursing process do these actions
illustrate?
a. Human needs statement
b. Planning
c. Implementation
d. Evaluation
Correct Answer: d. Evaluation
Rationale: Evaluation involves monitoring the patient's response to the medication and determining if
the desired outcomes have been met .
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and reviews the patient's chart for allergies, serum
creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. This action reflects which phase of the nursing
process?
a. Assessment
b. Planning
c. Implementation
d. Evaluation
Correct Answer: a. Assessment
Rationale: Assessment involves gathering data about the patient (allergies) and relevant lab values
(kidney function) to ensure safe medication administration .
5. When the nurse considers the timing of a drug dose, which factor is most appropriate to consider?
a. The patient’s ability to swallow
b. The patient’s height
c. The patient’s last meal
d. The patient’s allergies
Correct Answer: c. The patient’s last meal
Rationale: The timing of a drug dose is often related to pharmacokinetic properties that can be affected
by food. Some drugs should be given with food to prevent gastric upset, while others need to be taken
on an empty stomach for optimal absorption .
6. The nurse is performing an assessment of a newly admitted patient. Which is an example of
subjective data?
a. Weight 155 pounds
, b. Pulse 72 beats/minute
c. The patient reports that he uses the herbal product ginkgo
d. The patient's complete blood count results
Correct Answer: c. The patient reports that he uses the herbal product ginkgo
Rationale: Subjective data are spoken information shared by the patient or a reliable source. Objective
data (weight, pulse, labs) are gathered through observation or measurement .
7. Which activity best reflects the implementation phase of the nursing process for a patient newly
diagnosed with hypertension?
a. Providing education on keeping a journal of blood pressure readings
b. Setting goals and outcome criteria with the patient’s input
c. Recording a drug history regarding over-the-counter medications used at home
d. Formulating human needs statements regarding deficient knowledge
Correct Answer: a. Providing education on keeping a journal of blood pressure readings
Rationale: Implementation is the phase where nursing interventions, such as patient education, are
performed. Goal setting and formulating statements occur in planning, while recording a history is part
of assessment .
8. The medication order reads, “Give ondansetron 4 mg, 30 minutes before beginning chemotherapy
to prevent nausea.” The nurse notes that the route is missing. What is the nurse’s best action?
a. Give the medication intravenously because the patient might vomit.
b. Give the medication orally because the tablets are available in 4-mg doses.
c. Contact the prescriber to clarify the route of the medication ordered.
d. Hold the medication until the prescriber returns to make rounds.
Correct Answer: c. Contact the prescriber to clarify the route of the medication ordered.
Rationale: A complete medication order must include the route. The nurse must clarify any incomplete
order with the prescriber before administering the medication .
9. A patient will be sent home with a metered-dose inhaler, and the nurse is providing teaching.
Which is a correctly written goal for this process?
a. The nurse will demonstrate the correct use of a metered-dose inhaler to the patient.
b. The nurse will teach the patient how to administer medication with a metered-dose inhaler.
c. The patient will know how to self-administer the medication using the metered-dose inhaler.
d. The patient will independently administer the medication using the metered-dose inhaler by the end
of the session.
Correct Answer: d. The patient will independently administer the medication using the metered-
dose inhaler by the end of the session.
PROCESS, 10TH EDITION PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026
Unit I: Pharmacological Basics & The Nursing Process
1. The nurse is developing a human needs statement for a patient with a new diagnosis of heart
failure. Identification of human needs statements occurs during which activity?
a. Collection of patient data
b. Administering interventions
c. Deciding on patient outcomes
d. Documenting the patient's behavior
Correct Answer: a. Collection of patient data
Rationale: The identification of human needs (formerly nursing diagnosis) occurs during the assessment
phase when the nurse collects and analyzes patient data to identify actual or potential health problems .
2. The patient is to receive oral guaifenesin twice a day. The nurse was busy and gave the medication
2 hours after the scheduled dose was due. What right of medication administration does this
represent a violation of?
a. “Right time”
b. “Right dose”
c. “Right route”
d. “Right medication”
,Correct Answer: a. “Right time”
Rationale: The “Right time” standard typically requires that medications be given within 30 minutes
before or after the scheduled time. Giving a dose 2 hours late violates this right .
3. The nurse has been monitoring a patient's progress on a new drug regimen since the first dose and
documenting the patient's therapeutic response. Which phase of the nursing process do these actions
illustrate?
a. Human needs statement
b. Planning
c. Implementation
d. Evaluation
Correct Answer: d. Evaluation
Rationale: Evaluation involves monitoring the patient's response to the medication and determining if
the desired outcomes have been met .
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and reviews the patient's chart for allergies, serum
creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. This action reflects which phase of the nursing
process?
a. Assessment
b. Planning
c. Implementation
d. Evaluation
Correct Answer: a. Assessment
Rationale: Assessment involves gathering data about the patient (allergies) and relevant lab values
(kidney function) to ensure safe medication administration .
5. When the nurse considers the timing of a drug dose, which factor is most appropriate to consider?
a. The patient’s ability to swallow
b. The patient’s height
c. The patient’s last meal
d. The patient’s allergies
Correct Answer: c. The patient’s last meal
Rationale: The timing of a drug dose is often related to pharmacokinetic properties that can be affected
by food. Some drugs should be given with food to prevent gastric upset, while others need to be taken
on an empty stomach for optimal absorption .
6. The nurse is performing an assessment of a newly admitted patient. Which is an example of
subjective data?
a. Weight 155 pounds
, b. Pulse 72 beats/minute
c. The patient reports that he uses the herbal product ginkgo
d. The patient's complete blood count results
Correct Answer: c. The patient reports that he uses the herbal product ginkgo
Rationale: Subjective data are spoken information shared by the patient or a reliable source. Objective
data (weight, pulse, labs) are gathered through observation or measurement .
7. Which activity best reflects the implementation phase of the nursing process for a patient newly
diagnosed with hypertension?
a. Providing education on keeping a journal of blood pressure readings
b. Setting goals and outcome criteria with the patient’s input
c. Recording a drug history regarding over-the-counter medications used at home
d. Formulating human needs statements regarding deficient knowledge
Correct Answer: a. Providing education on keeping a journal of blood pressure readings
Rationale: Implementation is the phase where nursing interventions, such as patient education, are
performed. Goal setting and formulating statements occur in planning, while recording a history is part
of assessment .
8. The medication order reads, “Give ondansetron 4 mg, 30 minutes before beginning chemotherapy
to prevent nausea.” The nurse notes that the route is missing. What is the nurse’s best action?
a. Give the medication intravenously because the patient might vomit.
b. Give the medication orally because the tablets are available in 4-mg doses.
c. Contact the prescriber to clarify the route of the medication ordered.
d. Hold the medication until the prescriber returns to make rounds.
Correct Answer: c. Contact the prescriber to clarify the route of the medication ordered.
Rationale: A complete medication order must include the route. The nurse must clarify any incomplete
order with the prescriber before administering the medication .
9. A patient will be sent home with a metered-dose inhaler, and the nurse is providing teaching.
Which is a correctly written goal for this process?
a. The nurse will demonstrate the correct use of a metered-dose inhaler to the patient.
b. The nurse will teach the patient how to administer medication with a metered-dose inhaler.
c. The patient will know how to self-administer the medication using the metered-dose inhaler.
d. The patient will independently administer the medication using the metered-dose inhaler by the end
of the session.
Correct Answer: d. The patient will independently administer the medication using the metered-
dose inhaler by the end of the session.
