Chapter 02: Application of Pharmacology in Nursing Practice
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient is using a metered-dose inhaler containing albuterol for asthma. The
medication label instructs the patient to administer “2 puffs every 4 hours as needed
for coughing or wheezing.” The patient reports feeling jittery sometimes when taking
the medication, and she doesn’t feel that the medication is always effective. Which
action is outside the nurse’s scope of practice?
a. Asking the patient to demonstrate use of the inhaler
b. Assessing the patient’s exposure to tobacco smoke
c. Auscultating lung sounds and obtaining vital signs
Suggesting that the patient use one puff to reduce side
d. effects
ANS: D
It is not within the nurse’s scope of practice to change the dose of a medication
without an order from a prescriber. Asking the patient to demonstrate inhaler use
helps the nurse to evaluate the patient’s ability to administer the medication properly
and is part of the nurse’s evaluation. Assessing tobacco smoke exposure helps the
nurse determine whether nondrug therapies, such a smoke avoidance, can be used as
an adjunct to drug therapy. Performing a physical assessment helps the nurse evaluate
the patient’s response to the medication.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: pp. 9-10
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral
Therapies
2. A postoperative patient is being discharged home with acetaminophen/hydrocodone
[Lortab] for pain. The patient asks the nurse about using Tylenol for fever. Which
statement by the nurse is correct?
“It is not safe to take over-the-counter drugs with
a. prescription medications.”
“Taking the two medications together poses a risk of
b. drug toxicity.”
“There are no known drug interactions, so this will be
c. safe.”
Tylenol and Lortab are different drugs, so there is no
“
d. risk of overdose.”
ANS: B
Tylenol is the trade name and acetaminophen is the generic name for the same
medication. It is important to teach patients to be aware of the different names for the
, Chapter 02: Application of Pharmacology in Nursing Practice
Test Bank
same drug to minimize the risk of overdose. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications and
prescription medications may be taken together unless significant harmful drug
interactions are possible. Even though no drug interactions are at play in this case,
both drugs contain acetaminophen, which could lead to toxicity.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 8
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
3. The nurse is preparing to care for a patient who will be taking an antihypertensive
medication. Which action by the nurse is part of the assessment step of the nursing
process?
Asking the prescriber for an order to monitor serum
a. drug levels
Monitoring the patient for drug interactions after giving
b. the medication
Questioning the patient about over-the-counter
c. medications
Taking the patient’s blood pressure throughout the
d. course of treatment
ANS: C
The assessment part of the nursing process involves gathering information before
beginning treatment, and this includes asking about other medications the patient may
be taking. Monitoring serum drug levels, watching for drug interactions, and checking
vital signs after giving the medication are all part of the evaluation phase.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 6
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
4. A postoperative patient reports pain, which the patient rates as an 8 on a scale from
1 to 10 (10 being the most extreme pain). The prescriber has ordered acetaminophen
[Tylenol] 650 mg PO every 6 hours PRN pain. What will the nurse do?
Ask the patient what medications have helped with pain
a. in the past.
Contact the provider to request a different analgesic
b. medication.
Give the pain medication and reposition the patient to
c. promote comfort.
Request an order to administer the medication every 4
d. hours.
ANS: B
The nursing diagnosis for this patient is severe pain. Acetaminophen is given for mild
to moderate pain, so the nurse should ask the prescriber to order a stronger analgesic
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient is using a metered-dose inhaler containing albuterol for asthma. The
medication label instructs the patient to administer “2 puffs every 4 hours as needed
for coughing or wheezing.” The patient reports feeling jittery sometimes when taking
the medication, and she doesn’t feel that the medication is always effective. Which
action is outside the nurse’s scope of practice?
a. Asking the patient to demonstrate use of the inhaler
b. Assessing the patient’s exposure to tobacco smoke
c. Auscultating lung sounds and obtaining vital signs
Suggesting that the patient use one puff to reduce side
d. effects
ANS: D
It is not within the nurse’s scope of practice to change the dose of a medication
without an order from a prescriber. Asking the patient to demonstrate inhaler use
helps the nurse to evaluate the patient’s ability to administer the medication properly
and is part of the nurse’s evaluation. Assessing tobacco smoke exposure helps the
nurse determine whether nondrug therapies, such a smoke avoidance, can be used as
an adjunct to drug therapy. Performing a physical assessment helps the nurse evaluate
the patient’s response to the medication.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: pp. 9-10
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral
Therapies
2. A postoperative patient is being discharged home with acetaminophen/hydrocodone
[Lortab] for pain. The patient asks the nurse about using Tylenol for fever. Which
statement by the nurse is correct?
“It is not safe to take over-the-counter drugs with
a. prescription medications.”
“Taking the two medications together poses a risk of
b. drug toxicity.”
“There are no known drug interactions, so this will be
c. safe.”
Tylenol and Lortab are different drugs, so there is no
“
d. risk of overdose.”
ANS: B
Tylenol is the trade name and acetaminophen is the generic name for the same
medication. It is important to teach patients to be aware of the different names for the
, Chapter 02: Application of Pharmacology in Nursing Practice
Test Bank
same drug to minimize the risk of overdose. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications and
prescription medications may be taken together unless significant harmful drug
interactions are possible. Even though no drug interactions are at play in this case,
both drugs contain acetaminophen, which could lead to toxicity.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 8
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
3. The nurse is preparing to care for a patient who will be taking an antihypertensive
medication. Which action by the nurse is part of the assessment step of the nursing
process?
Asking the prescriber for an order to monitor serum
a. drug levels
Monitoring the patient for drug interactions after giving
b. the medication
Questioning the patient about over-the-counter
c. medications
Taking the patient’s blood pressure throughout the
d. course of treatment
ANS: C
The assessment part of the nursing process involves gathering information before
beginning treatment, and this includes asking about other medications the patient may
be taking. Monitoring serum drug levels, watching for drug interactions, and checking
vital signs after giving the medication are all part of the evaluation phase.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 6
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
4. A postoperative patient reports pain, which the patient rates as an 8 on a scale from
1 to 10 (10 being the most extreme pain). The prescriber has ordered acetaminophen
[Tylenol] 650 mg PO every 6 hours PRN pain. What will the nurse do?
Ask the patient what medications have helped with pain
a. in the past.
Contact the provider to request a different analgesic
b. medication.
Give the pain medication and reposition the patient to
c. promote comfort.
Request an order to administer the medication every 4
d. hours.
ANS: B
The nursing diagnosis for this patient is severe pain. Acetaminophen is given for mild
to moderate pain, so the nurse should ask the prescriber to order a stronger analgesic
