Page 1 of 82
PORTAGE LEARNING PHARMACOLOGY
MODULE 6 EXAM | 100QS&AS|GRADED
A+
Q1. A patient is prescribed amoxicillin for otitis media. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
a) “I should take this medication with food if it upsets my
stomach.”
b) “I can stop taking the medication when my ear pain goes
away.”
c) “I will report any rash or difficulty breathing to my provider.”
d) “I need to finish the entire course even if I feel better.”
Correct Answer: b) “I can stop taking the medication when my
ear pain goes away.”
Rationale: Antibiotics must be taken for the full prescribed duration
,Page 2 of 82
to prevent bacterial resistance and recurrence. Stopping early when
symptoms resolve is incorrect. The other statements are correct.
Q2. A patient with a penicillin allergy (anaphylaxis) is
prescribed cefazolin for surgical prophylaxis. What is the
appropriate nursing action?
a) Administer the cefazolin as ordered
b) Contact the provider to question the order due to possible
cross-reactivity
c) Give the cefazolin with diphenhydramine
d) Administer a test dose of cefazolin
Correct Answer: b) Contact the provider to question the order
due to possible cross-reactivity
*Rationale: Cross-reactivity between penicillins and
cephalosporins is approximately 1-3% but higher with
anaphylaxis history. The provider should be consulted;
,Page 3 of 82
alternative antibiotics (e.g., clindamycin, vancomycin) may be
chosen.*
Q3. A patient receiving piperacillin-tazobactam (Zosyn)
develops sudden onset of watery diarrhea 10 times per day, 7
days after starting therapy. What is the most likely cause?
a) Drug intolerance
b) Clostridioides difficile infection
c) Viral gastroenteritis
d) Pancreatitis
Correct Answer: b) Clostridioides difficile infection
*Rationale: Broad-spectrum antibiotics (especially penicillins,
cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones) disrupt normal gut flora,
allowing C. diff overgrowth. Diarrhea >3 unformed stools/day
with antibiotic exposure warrants testing.*
Q4. Which cephalosporin is considered a first-generation agent
with good gram-positive coverage?
, Page 4 of 82
a) Ceftriaxone
b) Cefoxitin
c) Cephalexin
d) Cefepime
Correct Answer: c) Cephalexin
Rationale: First-generation cephalosporins (cephalexin, cefazolin)
have excellent gram-positive coverage. Ceftriaxone is third-
generation; cefoxitin is second-generation; cefepime is fourth-
generation.
Q5. A patient with meningitis is prescribed ceftriaxone. Which
laboratory value should be monitored most closely?
a) Serum creatinine
b) Complete blood count
c) Liver function tests
d) Serum calcium
PORTAGE LEARNING PHARMACOLOGY
MODULE 6 EXAM | 100QS&AS|GRADED
A+
Q1. A patient is prescribed amoxicillin for otitis media. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
a) “I should take this medication with food if it upsets my
stomach.”
b) “I can stop taking the medication when my ear pain goes
away.”
c) “I will report any rash or difficulty breathing to my provider.”
d) “I need to finish the entire course even if I feel better.”
Correct Answer: b) “I can stop taking the medication when my
ear pain goes away.”
Rationale: Antibiotics must be taken for the full prescribed duration
,Page 2 of 82
to prevent bacterial resistance and recurrence. Stopping early when
symptoms resolve is incorrect. The other statements are correct.
Q2. A patient with a penicillin allergy (anaphylaxis) is
prescribed cefazolin for surgical prophylaxis. What is the
appropriate nursing action?
a) Administer the cefazolin as ordered
b) Contact the provider to question the order due to possible
cross-reactivity
c) Give the cefazolin with diphenhydramine
d) Administer a test dose of cefazolin
Correct Answer: b) Contact the provider to question the order
due to possible cross-reactivity
*Rationale: Cross-reactivity between penicillins and
cephalosporins is approximately 1-3% but higher with
anaphylaxis history. The provider should be consulted;
,Page 3 of 82
alternative antibiotics (e.g., clindamycin, vancomycin) may be
chosen.*
Q3. A patient receiving piperacillin-tazobactam (Zosyn)
develops sudden onset of watery diarrhea 10 times per day, 7
days after starting therapy. What is the most likely cause?
a) Drug intolerance
b) Clostridioides difficile infection
c) Viral gastroenteritis
d) Pancreatitis
Correct Answer: b) Clostridioides difficile infection
*Rationale: Broad-spectrum antibiotics (especially penicillins,
cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones) disrupt normal gut flora,
allowing C. diff overgrowth. Diarrhea >3 unformed stools/day
with antibiotic exposure warrants testing.*
Q4. Which cephalosporin is considered a first-generation agent
with good gram-positive coverage?
, Page 4 of 82
a) Ceftriaxone
b) Cefoxitin
c) Cephalexin
d) Cefepime
Correct Answer: c) Cephalexin
Rationale: First-generation cephalosporins (cephalexin, cefazolin)
have excellent gram-positive coverage. Ceftriaxone is third-
generation; cefoxitin is second-generation; cefepime is fourth-
generation.
Q5. A patient with meningitis is prescribed ceftriaxone. Which
laboratory value should be monitored most closely?
a) Serum creatinine
b) Complete blood count
c) Liver function tests
d) Serum calcium
