SPECIALTY PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 315
ACTUAL TEST SCRIPT 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ The nurse is making early morning rounds on a group of clients
when a client begins exhibiting symptoms of an acute asthma attack.
The nurse administers a PRN prescription for a Beta 2 receptor
agonist agent. Which client response should the nurse expect?
a) Tachycardia
b) Increased blood pressure
c) Rapid resolution of wheezing
d) Improved pulse oximetry values
e) Reduced fever and airway inflammation Answer: a) Tachycardia
c) Rapid resolution of wheezing
d) Improved pulse oximetry values
◉ Which change in data indicates to the nurse that the desired effect
of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist valsartan has been
achieved?
a) Dependent edema reduced from +3 to +1
,b) Serum HDL increased from 35 to 55 mg/dl
c) Pulse rate reduced from 150 to 90 beats/minute
d) Blood pressure reduced from 160/90 to 130/80 mmHg Answer:
d) Blood pressure reduced from 160/90 to 130/80 mmHg
◉ The nurse is assessing the effectiveness of high-dose aspirin
therapy for an 88-year-old client with arthritis. The client reports
that she can't hear the nurse's questions because her ears are
ringing. Which action should the nurse implement?
a) Refer the client to an audiologist for evaluation of her hearing.
b) Advise the client that this is a common side effect of aspirin
therapy.
c) Notify the healthcare provider of this finding immediately.
d) Ask the client to turn off her hearing aid during the exam.
Answer: c) Notify the healthcare provider of this finding
immediately.
◉ The nitrate isosorbide dinitrate is prescribed for a client with
angina. Which instruction should the nurse include in this client's
discharge teaching plan?
a) Quit taking the medication if dizziness occurs.
b) Do not get up quickly. Always rise slowly.
,c) Take the medication with food only.
d) Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods. Answer: b) Do not
get up quickly. Always rise slowly.
◉ Which medications should the nurse caution the client about
taking while receiving an opioid analgesic?
a) Antacids
b) Benzodiazepines
c) Antihypertensives
d) Oral antidiabetics Answer: b) Benzodiazepines
◉ A client who has been taking levodopa PO TID to control the
symptoms of Parkinson's disease has a new prescription for
sustained-release levodopa/carbidopa PO BID. The client took his
levodopa at 0800. Which instruction should the nurse include in the
teaching plan for this client?
a) "Take the first dose of levodopa-carbidopa today, as soon as your
prescription is filled."
b) "Since you already took your levodopa, wait until tomorrow to
take the levodopa-carbidopa."
c) "Take both drugs for the first week, then switch to only the
levodopa-carbidopa."
, d) "You can begin taking the levodopa-carbidopa this evening, but do
not take any more levodopa." Answer: d) "You can begin taking the
levodopa-carbidopa this evening, but do not take any more
levodopa."
◉ An adult client is given a prescription for a scopolamine patch to
prevent motion sickness while on a cruise. Which information
should the nurse provide to the client?
a) Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
b) Change the patch every other day while on the cruise.
c) Place the patch on a hairless area at the base of the skull.
d) Drink no more than 2 alcoholic drinks during the cruise. Answer:
a) Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
◉ The nurse is assessing a client prior to administering the
prescribed dose of atenolol PO. The client's blood pressure is
120/68 mmHg, and the telemetry monitor shows sinus bradycardia
with a rate of 58 beats/minute, and a P-R interval of 0.24. Based on
this assessment, what intervention should the nurse implement?
a) Lower the head of the bed and assess the client for orthostatic
vital sign changes.
b) Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor the
client.
ACTUAL TEST SCRIPT 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ The nurse is making early morning rounds on a group of clients
when a client begins exhibiting symptoms of an acute asthma attack.
The nurse administers a PRN prescription for a Beta 2 receptor
agonist agent. Which client response should the nurse expect?
a) Tachycardia
b) Increased blood pressure
c) Rapid resolution of wheezing
d) Improved pulse oximetry values
e) Reduced fever and airway inflammation Answer: a) Tachycardia
c) Rapid resolution of wheezing
d) Improved pulse oximetry values
◉ Which change in data indicates to the nurse that the desired effect
of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist valsartan has been
achieved?
a) Dependent edema reduced from +3 to +1
,b) Serum HDL increased from 35 to 55 mg/dl
c) Pulse rate reduced from 150 to 90 beats/minute
d) Blood pressure reduced from 160/90 to 130/80 mmHg Answer:
d) Blood pressure reduced from 160/90 to 130/80 mmHg
◉ The nurse is assessing the effectiveness of high-dose aspirin
therapy for an 88-year-old client with arthritis. The client reports
that she can't hear the nurse's questions because her ears are
ringing. Which action should the nurse implement?
a) Refer the client to an audiologist for evaluation of her hearing.
b) Advise the client that this is a common side effect of aspirin
therapy.
c) Notify the healthcare provider of this finding immediately.
d) Ask the client to turn off her hearing aid during the exam.
Answer: c) Notify the healthcare provider of this finding
immediately.
◉ The nitrate isosorbide dinitrate is prescribed for a client with
angina. Which instruction should the nurse include in this client's
discharge teaching plan?
a) Quit taking the medication if dizziness occurs.
b) Do not get up quickly. Always rise slowly.
,c) Take the medication with food only.
d) Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods. Answer: b) Do not
get up quickly. Always rise slowly.
◉ Which medications should the nurse caution the client about
taking while receiving an opioid analgesic?
a) Antacids
b) Benzodiazepines
c) Antihypertensives
d) Oral antidiabetics Answer: b) Benzodiazepines
◉ A client who has been taking levodopa PO TID to control the
symptoms of Parkinson's disease has a new prescription for
sustained-release levodopa/carbidopa PO BID. The client took his
levodopa at 0800. Which instruction should the nurse include in the
teaching plan for this client?
a) "Take the first dose of levodopa-carbidopa today, as soon as your
prescription is filled."
b) "Since you already took your levodopa, wait until tomorrow to
take the levodopa-carbidopa."
c) "Take both drugs for the first week, then switch to only the
levodopa-carbidopa."
, d) "You can begin taking the levodopa-carbidopa this evening, but do
not take any more levodopa." Answer: d) "You can begin taking the
levodopa-carbidopa this evening, but do not take any more
levodopa."
◉ An adult client is given a prescription for a scopolamine patch to
prevent motion sickness while on a cruise. Which information
should the nurse provide to the client?
a) Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
b) Change the patch every other day while on the cruise.
c) Place the patch on a hairless area at the base of the skull.
d) Drink no more than 2 alcoholic drinks during the cruise. Answer:
a) Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
◉ The nurse is assessing a client prior to administering the
prescribed dose of atenolol PO. The client's blood pressure is
120/68 mmHg, and the telemetry monitor shows sinus bradycardia
with a rate of 58 beats/minute, and a P-R interval of 0.24. Based on
this assessment, what intervention should the nurse implement?
a) Lower the head of the bed and assess the client for orthostatic
vital sign changes.
b) Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor the
client.
