_____________________________________
RELIAS RN
PHARMACOLOGY
EXAM 2026/2027
RN PHARMACOLOGY
QUESTIONS BANK AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS| 100% CORRECT| GRADED
A+
PROGRAM: RN Pharmacology Competency Assessment Program
RELIAS RN PHARMACOLOGY
,RELIAS RN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM BANK: REGISTERED NURSE
PHARMACOLOGY COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT
________________________________________
1. The nurse reviews the Six Rights of medication administration before
giving a drug. Which option is NOT considered one of the Six Rights?
A. Right patient
B. Right medication
C. Right documentation
D. Right pharmacy
Correct Answer: D. Right pharmacy
Rationale: The Six Rights include right patient, right medication, right dose,
right route, right time, and right documentation. These principles form the
foundation of medication safety and error prevention in nursing practice.
While pharmacies play a critical role in medication safety, “right pharmacy”
is not part of the Six Rights framework. Adhering consistently to the Six
Rights significantly reduces preventable medication errors and promotes
patient safety.
________________________________________
2. A patient is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). Which laboratory value is
most important for the nurse to monitor routinely?
A. Serum creatinine
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
Correct Answer: B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
,Rationale: Warfarin works by inhibiting vitamin K–dependent clotting
factors, which prolongs blood clotting time. The INR standardizes
prothrombin time results and guides safe dosing. Maintaining the INR
within the therapeutic range (commonly 2.0–3.0) balances the risk of
thrombosis and bleeding. Frequent monitoring is essential because warfarin
has many food and drug interactions.
________________________________________
3. The nurse administers insulin aspart (NovoLog). Which statement
accurately describes this medication?
A. It is a long-acting insulin given once daily
B. It should be administered 30 minutes before meals
C. It is a rapid-acting insulin given immediately before meals
D. It has a duration of action lasting 24 hours
Correct Answer: C. It is a rapid-acting insulin given immediately before
meals
Rationale: Insulin aspart is a rapid-acting insulin analog designed to control
postprandial glucose levels. It begins working within 10–20 minutes and
peaks quickly. Administering it just before meals helps match insulin action
with carbohydrate absorption. Incorrect timing increases the risk of
hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
________________________________________
4. A patient receiving morphine sulfate has a respiratory rate of 8
breaths/min and reports dizziness. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage deep breathing exercises
B. Document findings in the medical record
C. Increase IV fluids
, D. Administer naloxone per protocol
Correct Answer: D. Administer naloxone per protocol
Rationale: A respiratory rate below 10 breaths per minute indicates opioid-
induced respiratory depression. Naloxone rapidly reverses opioid effects
and is a life-saving intervention. Delaying treatment could result in hypoxia
or cardiac arrest. Continuous monitoring is required after administration
because naloxone’s duration may be shorter than the opioid.
________________________________________
5. Which medication must be protected from light during IV administration?
A. Furosemide
B. Nitroprusside (Nitropress)
C. Metoprolol
D. Levothyroxine
Correct Answer: B. Nitroprusside (Nitropress)
Rationale: Nitroprusside is highly light-sensitive and degrades when
exposed to light. Degradation can lead to the formation of toxic byproducts
such as cyanide. Using opaque coverings protects medication integrity and
patient safety. This drug is classified as high-alert and requires close
monitoring.
________________________________________
6. When administering subcutaneous enoxaparin (Lovenox), which nursing
action is appropriate?
A. Aspirate before injection
B. Massage the injection site afterward
C. Pinch the skin and inject at a 90-degree angle
D. Use a large-bore needle
RELIAS RN
PHARMACOLOGY
EXAM 2026/2027
RN PHARMACOLOGY
QUESTIONS BANK AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS| 100% CORRECT| GRADED
A+
PROGRAM: RN Pharmacology Competency Assessment Program
RELIAS RN PHARMACOLOGY
,RELIAS RN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM BANK: REGISTERED NURSE
PHARMACOLOGY COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT
________________________________________
1. The nurse reviews the Six Rights of medication administration before
giving a drug. Which option is NOT considered one of the Six Rights?
A. Right patient
B. Right medication
C. Right documentation
D. Right pharmacy
Correct Answer: D. Right pharmacy
Rationale: The Six Rights include right patient, right medication, right dose,
right route, right time, and right documentation. These principles form the
foundation of medication safety and error prevention in nursing practice.
While pharmacies play a critical role in medication safety, “right pharmacy”
is not part of the Six Rights framework. Adhering consistently to the Six
Rights significantly reduces preventable medication errors and promotes
patient safety.
________________________________________
2. A patient is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). Which laboratory value is
most important for the nurse to monitor routinely?
A. Serum creatinine
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
Correct Answer: B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
,Rationale: Warfarin works by inhibiting vitamin K–dependent clotting
factors, which prolongs blood clotting time. The INR standardizes
prothrombin time results and guides safe dosing. Maintaining the INR
within the therapeutic range (commonly 2.0–3.0) balances the risk of
thrombosis and bleeding. Frequent monitoring is essential because warfarin
has many food and drug interactions.
________________________________________
3. The nurse administers insulin aspart (NovoLog). Which statement
accurately describes this medication?
A. It is a long-acting insulin given once daily
B. It should be administered 30 minutes before meals
C. It is a rapid-acting insulin given immediately before meals
D. It has a duration of action lasting 24 hours
Correct Answer: C. It is a rapid-acting insulin given immediately before
meals
Rationale: Insulin aspart is a rapid-acting insulin analog designed to control
postprandial glucose levels. It begins working within 10–20 minutes and
peaks quickly. Administering it just before meals helps match insulin action
with carbohydrate absorption. Incorrect timing increases the risk of
hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
________________________________________
4. A patient receiving morphine sulfate has a respiratory rate of 8
breaths/min and reports dizziness. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage deep breathing exercises
B. Document findings in the medical record
C. Increase IV fluids
, D. Administer naloxone per protocol
Correct Answer: D. Administer naloxone per protocol
Rationale: A respiratory rate below 10 breaths per minute indicates opioid-
induced respiratory depression. Naloxone rapidly reverses opioid effects
and is a life-saving intervention. Delaying treatment could result in hypoxia
or cardiac arrest. Continuous monitoring is required after administration
because naloxone’s duration may be shorter than the opioid.
________________________________________
5. Which medication must be protected from light during IV administration?
A. Furosemide
B. Nitroprusside (Nitropress)
C. Metoprolol
D. Levothyroxine
Correct Answer: B. Nitroprusside (Nitropress)
Rationale: Nitroprusside is highly light-sensitive and degrades when
exposed to light. Degradation can lead to the formation of toxic byproducts
such as cyanide. Using opaque coverings protects medication integrity and
patient safety. This drug is classified as high-alert and requires close
monitoring.
________________________________________
6. When administering subcutaneous enoxaparin (Lovenox), which nursing
action is appropriate?
A. Aspirate before injection
B. Massage the injection site afterward
C. Pinch the skin and inject at a 90-degree angle
D. Use a large-bore needle
