VATI GREENLIGHT PHARMACOLOGY & MEDICATION
ADMINISTRATION EXAM (PN) COMPLETE QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND RATIONALE
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
of the following findings should cause the nurse to withhold the medication and
notify the provider?
Blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg
Heart rate 52 beats per minute
Respiratory rate 18 breaths per minute
Potassium level 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: Heart rate 52 beats per minute
Rationale: Digoxin is withheld if the apical pulse is below 60 beats per minute in
an adult (or below 70 in a child) because bradycardia indicates possible digoxin
toxicity.
2. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for
warfarin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for
further teaching?
I will avoid eating large amounts of green leafy vegetables
I will report any bleeding gums or dark tarry stools to my provider
I will take ibuprofen for my headaches instead of acetaminophen
I will have my blood tested regularly to check my INR level
,Correct Answer: I will take ibuprofen for my headaches instead of
acetaminophen
Rationale: Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs increase bleeding risk when taken with
warfarin. Acetaminophen is the preferred analgesic, though it should still be used
with caution.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for furosemide. Which of
the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing
an adverse effect of this medication?
Weight gain of 1 kg in 24 hours
Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg
Urine output of 50 mL per hour
Correct Answer: Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting. A
potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L is below the normal range (3.5 to 5.0) and indicates
hypokalemia.
4. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for
metformin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding of the teaching?
I will take this medication on an empty stomach
I will stop taking this medication for 48 hours before having a contrast dye
procedure
I can drink grapefruit juice daily with this medication
I will take this medication only when my blood sugar is high
Correct Answer: I will stop taking this medication for 48 hours before having a
contrast dye procedure
,Rationale: Metformin should be held before and after contrast dye procedures to
prevent lactic acidosis, a rare but serious complication.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer enoxaparin subcutaneously to a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Expel the air bubble from the prefilled syringe before injection
Massage the injection site after administering the medication
Administer the medication in the lateral abdominal wall
Aspirate for blood return before injecting the medication
Correct Answer: Administer the medication in the lateral abdominal wall
Rationale: Enoxaparin is administered subcutaneously in the abdomen. The air
bubble should not be expelled as it ensures full dose delivery.
6. A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking prednisone for
rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify
as an adverse effect of this medication?
Weight loss
Moon face (facial rounding)
Hypoglycemia
Bradycardia
Correct Answer: Moon face (facial rounding)
Rationale: Moon face is a common adverse effect of long-term prednisone use
due to fluid retention and fat redistribution.
7. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for
alendronate for osteoporosis. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include?
Take this medication at bedtime with a snack
Lie down for 30 minutes after taking the medication
, Take this medication with orange juice or coffee
Take this medication with a full glass of water after waking up
Correct Answer: Take this medication with a full glass of water after waking up
Rationale: Alendronate must be taken on an empty stomach with plain water to
prevent esophageal irritation. The client must remain upright for 30 minutes.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for lorazepam for anxiety.
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is
experiencing an adverse effect of this medication?
Urinary frequency
Increased appetite
Dry mouth
Sedation
Correct Answer: Sedation
Rationale: Sedation and drowsiness are common adverse effects of lorazepam
and other benzodiazepines. Clients should avoid driving or operating machinery.
9. A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking spironolactone. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
Blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg
Urine output of 60 mL per hour
Serum sodium of 138 mEq/L
Serum potassium of 5.4 mEq/L
Correct Answer: Serum potassium of 5.4 mEq/L
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. A potassium level of 5.4
mEq/L is above the normal range (3.5 to 5.0) and indicates hyperkalemia.
ADMINISTRATION EXAM (PN) COMPLETE QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND RATIONALE
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
of the following findings should cause the nurse to withhold the medication and
notify the provider?
Blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg
Heart rate 52 beats per minute
Respiratory rate 18 breaths per minute
Potassium level 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: Heart rate 52 beats per minute
Rationale: Digoxin is withheld if the apical pulse is below 60 beats per minute in
an adult (or below 70 in a child) because bradycardia indicates possible digoxin
toxicity.
2. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for
warfarin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for
further teaching?
I will avoid eating large amounts of green leafy vegetables
I will report any bleeding gums or dark tarry stools to my provider
I will take ibuprofen for my headaches instead of acetaminophen
I will have my blood tested regularly to check my INR level
,Correct Answer: I will take ibuprofen for my headaches instead of
acetaminophen
Rationale: Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs increase bleeding risk when taken with
warfarin. Acetaminophen is the preferred analgesic, though it should still be used
with caution.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for furosemide. Which of
the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing
an adverse effect of this medication?
Weight gain of 1 kg in 24 hours
Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg
Urine output of 50 mL per hour
Correct Answer: Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting. A
potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L is below the normal range (3.5 to 5.0) and indicates
hypokalemia.
4. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for
metformin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding of the teaching?
I will take this medication on an empty stomach
I will stop taking this medication for 48 hours before having a contrast dye
procedure
I can drink grapefruit juice daily with this medication
I will take this medication only when my blood sugar is high
Correct Answer: I will stop taking this medication for 48 hours before having a
contrast dye procedure
,Rationale: Metformin should be held before and after contrast dye procedures to
prevent lactic acidosis, a rare but serious complication.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer enoxaparin subcutaneously to a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Expel the air bubble from the prefilled syringe before injection
Massage the injection site after administering the medication
Administer the medication in the lateral abdominal wall
Aspirate for blood return before injecting the medication
Correct Answer: Administer the medication in the lateral abdominal wall
Rationale: Enoxaparin is administered subcutaneously in the abdomen. The air
bubble should not be expelled as it ensures full dose delivery.
6. A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking prednisone for
rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify
as an adverse effect of this medication?
Weight loss
Moon face (facial rounding)
Hypoglycemia
Bradycardia
Correct Answer: Moon face (facial rounding)
Rationale: Moon face is a common adverse effect of long-term prednisone use
due to fluid retention and fat redistribution.
7. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for
alendronate for osteoporosis. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include?
Take this medication at bedtime with a snack
Lie down for 30 minutes after taking the medication
, Take this medication with orange juice or coffee
Take this medication with a full glass of water after waking up
Correct Answer: Take this medication with a full glass of water after waking up
Rationale: Alendronate must be taken on an empty stomach with plain water to
prevent esophageal irritation. The client must remain upright for 30 minutes.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for lorazepam for anxiety.
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is
experiencing an adverse effect of this medication?
Urinary frequency
Increased appetite
Dry mouth
Sedation
Correct Answer: Sedation
Rationale: Sedation and drowsiness are common adverse effects of lorazepam
and other benzodiazepines. Clients should avoid driving or operating machinery.
9. A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking spironolactone. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
Blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg
Urine output of 60 mL per hour
Serum sodium of 138 mEq/L
Serum potassium of 5.4 mEq/L
Correct Answer: Serum potassium of 5.4 mEq/L
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. A potassium level of 5.4
mEq/L is above the normal range (3.5 to 5.0) and indicates hyperkalemia.
