FOCUS ON NURSING PHARMACOLOGY
PRACTICE EXAM 2026 PREMIUM QUESTIONS
AND ACCURATE ANSWERS ONE HUNDRED
PERCENT CORRECT
◉ A nurse who works in an acute care for elders (ACE) unit
recognizes the unique pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
that often occur in older adults. Which of the following factors
should the nurse take into account when administering medications
to older adults on the unit?
Answer: As a result of age-related changes, older adults face an
increased risk of adverse medication effects
◉ The recommended dose of a drug is based on drug evaluation
studies and targeted to which population?
Answer: 150-pound person
◉ A 79-year-old woman who takes several medications for a variety
of chronic health problems has been prescribed an oral antiplatelet
aggregator that is to be taken once daily. The nurse has encouraged
the woman to take the pill at the same time of day that she takes
some of her other medications. What is the most likely rationale for
the nurse's advice?
,Answer: Integrating the new drug into the patient's existing
schedule promotes adherence.
◉ A 76-year-old patient with congestive heart failure is being
admitted to the hospital. The patient states she takes only
medications that the physician prescribes, but when the nurse
assesses the medications, three over-the-counter laxatives are in the
patient's bag of medications. What concerns does the nurse have
about this omission?
Answer: The laxatives can interact with and complicate prescribed
drug therapy
◉ A nurse is reading an article that describes predictable differences
in the effects of drugs in people of particular culture backgrounds
due to their genetic makeup. The nurse is reading about which of the
following?
Answer: Pharmacogenomics
◉ Mr. Anthony has been diagnosed with cardiovascular disorder.
The following important details have been extracted from his
medical record: age—68; health status—suffers from intermittent
joint pain and is under drug therapy; lifestyle and food habits—eats
meat, salads, and fruits; prefers alternative herb medications along
with drug therapy; sometimes smokes; environment—he lives alone
and is looked after by a caregiver. Which item of information has the
greatest implication for planning his drug therapy?
, Answer: Prefers alternative herb medications
◉ For what reason is the creatinine level alone not a good indicator
of renal function in the older adult?
Answer: There is a decline in overall muscle mass, which produces a
lower creatinine level.
◉ A nurse is conducting an assessment of a patient who has recently
had several changes made to her drug regimen. What assessment
question most directly addresses the safety implications of the
patient's drug regimen?
Answer: Do you take any herbal supplements or alternative
medications?
◉ Mental dysfunction in an elderly person may seem like a normal
part of aging, but it can result from disease or another cause. What
should the ER staff do first for a presenting elderly person with a
mental dysfunction such as extreme confusion?
Answer: Review the drugs being taken
◉ A nurse is caring for an 81-year-old patient in a long-term care
facility who takes nine different medications each day. The patient
has a recent diagnosis of seizure disorder and has begun treatment
with phenytoin (Dilantin), a highly protein-bound drug. After 1
month of Dilantin therapy, the patient is still extremely drowsy and
PRACTICE EXAM 2026 PREMIUM QUESTIONS
AND ACCURATE ANSWERS ONE HUNDRED
PERCENT CORRECT
◉ A nurse who works in an acute care for elders (ACE) unit
recognizes the unique pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
that often occur in older adults. Which of the following factors
should the nurse take into account when administering medications
to older adults on the unit?
Answer: As a result of age-related changes, older adults face an
increased risk of adverse medication effects
◉ The recommended dose of a drug is based on drug evaluation
studies and targeted to which population?
Answer: 150-pound person
◉ A 79-year-old woman who takes several medications for a variety
of chronic health problems has been prescribed an oral antiplatelet
aggregator that is to be taken once daily. The nurse has encouraged
the woman to take the pill at the same time of day that she takes
some of her other medications. What is the most likely rationale for
the nurse's advice?
,Answer: Integrating the new drug into the patient's existing
schedule promotes adherence.
◉ A 76-year-old patient with congestive heart failure is being
admitted to the hospital. The patient states she takes only
medications that the physician prescribes, but when the nurse
assesses the medications, three over-the-counter laxatives are in the
patient's bag of medications. What concerns does the nurse have
about this omission?
Answer: The laxatives can interact with and complicate prescribed
drug therapy
◉ A nurse is reading an article that describes predictable differences
in the effects of drugs in people of particular culture backgrounds
due to their genetic makeup. The nurse is reading about which of the
following?
Answer: Pharmacogenomics
◉ Mr. Anthony has been diagnosed with cardiovascular disorder.
The following important details have been extracted from his
medical record: age—68; health status—suffers from intermittent
joint pain and is under drug therapy; lifestyle and food habits—eats
meat, salads, and fruits; prefers alternative herb medications along
with drug therapy; sometimes smokes; environment—he lives alone
and is looked after by a caregiver. Which item of information has the
greatest implication for planning his drug therapy?
, Answer: Prefers alternative herb medications
◉ For what reason is the creatinine level alone not a good indicator
of renal function in the older adult?
Answer: There is a decline in overall muscle mass, which produces a
lower creatinine level.
◉ A nurse is conducting an assessment of a patient who has recently
had several changes made to her drug regimen. What assessment
question most directly addresses the safety implications of the
patient's drug regimen?
Answer: Do you take any herbal supplements or alternative
medications?
◉ Mental dysfunction in an elderly person may seem like a normal
part of aging, but it can result from disease or another cause. What
should the ER staff do first for a presenting elderly person with a
mental dysfunction such as extreme confusion?
Answer: Review the drugs being taken
◉ A nurse is caring for an 81-year-old patient in a long-term care
facility who takes nine different medications each day. The patient
has a recent diagnosis of seizure disorder and has begun treatment
with phenytoin (Dilantin), a highly protein-bound drug. After 1
month of Dilantin therapy, the patient is still extremely drowsy and
