Basic Pharmacology for Nurses 17th Edition by Clayton -
Willihnganz-Test Bank
Chapter 02: Basic Principles of Drug Action and Drug Interactions
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse assesses hives in a patient started on a new medication. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
a. Notify physician of allergic reaction.
b. Notify physician of idiosyncratic reaction.
c. Notify physician of potential teratogenicity.
d. Notify physician of potential tolerance.
, ANS: A
An allergic reaction is indicative of hypersensitivity and manifests with hives and/or urticaria,
which are easily identified. An idiosyncratic reaction occurs when something unusual or
abnormal happens when a drug is first administered. A teratogenic reaction refers to the
occurrence of birth defects related to administration of the drug. Tolerance refers to the body’s
requirement for increasing dosages to achieve the same effects that a lower dose once did.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Page 17 OBJ: 4
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
NOT: CONCEPT(S): Clinical Judgment; Safety
2. The nurse administers an initial dose of a steroid to a patient with asthma. Thirty minutes after
administration, the nurse finds the patient agitated and stating that “everyone is out to get me.”
What is the term for this unusual reaction?
a. Desired action
b. Adverse effect
c. Idiosyncratic reaction
d. Allergic reaction
ANS: C
Idiosyncratic reactions are unusual, abnormal reactions that occur when a drug is first
administered. Patients typically exhibit an overresponsiveness to a medication related to
diminished metabolism. These reactions are believed to be related to genetic enzyme
deficiencies. Desired actions are expected responses to a medication. Adverse effects are
reactions that occur in another system of the body; they are usually predictable. Allergic
reactions appear after repeated medication dosages.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: Page 18 OBJ: 4
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
NOT: CONCEPT(S): Patient Education; Clinical Judgment; Caregiving; Safety; Sensory Perception
3. Which is the best description of when drug interactions occur?
a. On administration of toxic dosages of a drug
b. On an increase in the pharmacodynamics of bound drugs
c. On the alteration of the effect of one drug by another drug
d. On increase of drug excretion
ANS: C
Drug interactions may be characterized by an increase or decrease in the effectiveness of one
or both of the drugs. Toxicity of one drug may or may not affect the metabolism of another
one. Drug interactions may result from either increased or decreased pharmacodynamics.
Drug interactions may result from either increased or decreased excretion.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: Page 18 OBJ: 5
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
NOT: CONCEPT(S): Safety; Patient Education; Clinical Judgment
Willihnganz-Test Bank
Chapter 02: Basic Principles of Drug Action and Drug Interactions
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse assesses hives in a patient started on a new medication. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
a. Notify physician of allergic reaction.
b. Notify physician of idiosyncratic reaction.
c. Notify physician of potential teratogenicity.
d. Notify physician of potential tolerance.
, ANS: A
An allergic reaction is indicative of hypersensitivity and manifests with hives and/or urticaria,
which are easily identified. An idiosyncratic reaction occurs when something unusual or
abnormal happens when a drug is first administered. A teratogenic reaction refers to the
occurrence of birth defects related to administration of the drug. Tolerance refers to the body’s
requirement for increasing dosages to achieve the same effects that a lower dose once did.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Page 17 OBJ: 4
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
NOT: CONCEPT(S): Clinical Judgment; Safety
2. The nurse administers an initial dose of a steroid to a patient with asthma. Thirty minutes after
administration, the nurse finds the patient agitated and stating that “everyone is out to get me.”
What is the term for this unusual reaction?
a. Desired action
b. Adverse effect
c. Idiosyncratic reaction
d. Allergic reaction
ANS: C
Idiosyncratic reactions are unusual, abnormal reactions that occur when a drug is first
administered. Patients typically exhibit an overresponsiveness to a medication related to
diminished metabolism. These reactions are believed to be related to genetic enzyme
deficiencies. Desired actions are expected responses to a medication. Adverse effects are
reactions that occur in another system of the body; they are usually predictable. Allergic
reactions appear after repeated medication dosages.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: Page 18 OBJ: 4
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
NOT: CONCEPT(S): Patient Education; Clinical Judgment; Caregiving; Safety; Sensory Perception
3. Which is the best description of when drug interactions occur?
a. On administration of toxic dosages of a drug
b. On an increase in the pharmacodynamics of bound drugs
c. On the alteration of the effect of one drug by another drug
d. On increase of drug excretion
ANS: C
Drug interactions may be characterized by an increase or decrease in the effectiveness of one
or both of the drugs. Toxicity of one drug may or may not affect the metabolism of another
one. Drug interactions may result from either increased or decreased pharmacodynamics.
Drug interactions may result from either increased or decreased excretion.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: Page 18 OBJ: 5
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
NOT: CONCEPT(S): Safety; Patient Education; Clinical Judgment
