HESI PN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 4 LEARNING
WORKBOOK 2026 DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS
AND SAFE MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
◉ Cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C)
Answer: An antimetabolite used in chemotherapy; key nursing
intervention is to inspect the client's oral mucosa for ulcerations.
◉ Acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose
Answer: Most important to assess for pain in the right upper
quadrant of the abdomen due to potential liver damage.
◉ Scopolamine patch (Transderm Scop)
Answer: An anticholinergic agent used to prevent motion sickness;
should be applied at least 4 hours prior to departure.
◉ Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump
Answer: Allows client to receive morphine; priority assessment
before use is the rate and depth of the client's respirations.
◉ Beta-1 agonist
Answer: Medication commonly prescribed for heart failure.
,◉ Morphine
Answer: An opiate narcotic administered via PCA; can cause
respiratory depression, requiring monitoring of respiratory rate.
◉ Respiratory depression
Answer: A life-threatening side effect of intravenous morphine,
necessitating monitoring of respiratory rate.
◉ Antimetabolite toxicity
Answer: Characterized by stomatitis and mucosal ulcerations due to
the effect on rapidly growing cells.
◉ Transdermal patch duration
Answer: The duration of the scopolamine patch is 72 hours.
◉ PCA pump maximum dosage
Answer: Client can receive a total of 5 mg IV maximally per hour.
◉ IV fluids
Answer: Recommended to hydrate the client before and after
infusion of cytosine arabinoside.
,◉ Alcohol consumption
Answer: Clients using scopolamine should avoid alcohol as it can
enhance CNS depressant effects.
◉ Pain assessment
Answer: Subjective and objective signs of pain are important to
evaluate before initiating PCA pump.
◉ Oral mucosa inspection
Answer: Important nursing intervention for clients receiving
cytosine arabinoside to check for ulcerations.
◉ Right upper quadrant pain
Answer: Pain in this area may indicate liver damage in
acetaminophen overdose cases.
◉ Peak onset of scopolamine
Answer: Scopolamine has a peak onset in 6 hours.
◉ Morphine administration
Answer: 1 mg IV per hour basal rate with 1 mg IV every 15 minutes
via PCA.
, ◉ Cross-allergy
Answer: Exists between penicillins and cephalosporins,
necessitating allergy checks before administering cephalexin.
◉ Hydration before chemotherapy
Answer: Important nursing intervention for clients receiving
cytosine arabinoside.
◉ Numbness and tingling assessment
Answer: Important to assess in clients receiving chemotherapy,
though not the highest priority for cytosine arabinoside.
◉ Change of scopolamine patch
Answer: Not needed every other day; the patch lasts for 72 hours.
◉ Client education for scopolamine
Answer: Instruct to apply the patch on a hairless area behind the ear.
◉ Glaucoma
Answer: Managed using adrenergic agents and beta-adrenergic
blocking agents.
◉ Hypertension
WORKBOOK 2026 DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS
AND SAFE MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
◉ Cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C)
Answer: An antimetabolite used in chemotherapy; key nursing
intervention is to inspect the client's oral mucosa for ulcerations.
◉ Acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose
Answer: Most important to assess for pain in the right upper
quadrant of the abdomen due to potential liver damage.
◉ Scopolamine patch (Transderm Scop)
Answer: An anticholinergic agent used to prevent motion sickness;
should be applied at least 4 hours prior to departure.
◉ Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump
Answer: Allows client to receive morphine; priority assessment
before use is the rate and depth of the client's respirations.
◉ Beta-1 agonist
Answer: Medication commonly prescribed for heart failure.
,◉ Morphine
Answer: An opiate narcotic administered via PCA; can cause
respiratory depression, requiring monitoring of respiratory rate.
◉ Respiratory depression
Answer: A life-threatening side effect of intravenous morphine,
necessitating monitoring of respiratory rate.
◉ Antimetabolite toxicity
Answer: Characterized by stomatitis and mucosal ulcerations due to
the effect on rapidly growing cells.
◉ Transdermal patch duration
Answer: The duration of the scopolamine patch is 72 hours.
◉ PCA pump maximum dosage
Answer: Client can receive a total of 5 mg IV maximally per hour.
◉ IV fluids
Answer: Recommended to hydrate the client before and after
infusion of cytosine arabinoside.
,◉ Alcohol consumption
Answer: Clients using scopolamine should avoid alcohol as it can
enhance CNS depressant effects.
◉ Pain assessment
Answer: Subjective and objective signs of pain are important to
evaluate before initiating PCA pump.
◉ Oral mucosa inspection
Answer: Important nursing intervention for clients receiving
cytosine arabinoside to check for ulcerations.
◉ Right upper quadrant pain
Answer: Pain in this area may indicate liver damage in
acetaminophen overdose cases.
◉ Peak onset of scopolamine
Answer: Scopolamine has a peak onset in 6 hours.
◉ Morphine administration
Answer: 1 mg IV per hour basal rate with 1 mg IV every 15 minutes
via PCA.
, ◉ Cross-allergy
Answer: Exists between penicillins and cephalosporins,
necessitating allergy checks before administering cephalexin.
◉ Hydration before chemotherapy
Answer: Important nursing intervention for clients receiving
cytosine arabinoside.
◉ Numbness and tingling assessment
Answer: Important to assess in clients receiving chemotherapy,
though not the highest priority for cytosine arabinoside.
◉ Change of scopolamine patch
Answer: Not needed every other day; the patch lasts for 72 hours.
◉ Client education for scopolamine
Answer: Instruct to apply the patch on a hairless area behind the ear.
◉ Glaucoma
Answer: Managed using adrenergic agents and beta-adrenergic
blocking agents.
◉ Hypertension
