RN Pharmacology EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
A nurse is instructing a client on the application of nitroglycerin transdermal
patches. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
"
"I will take the patch off right after my evening meal."
Clients should remove the patch each evening for a medication free time of 12 to 14 hr
before applying a new patch to avoid developing a tolerance to the medication's effects.
A nurse receives a verbal order from the provider to administer morphine five
milligrams every 4 hours subcutaneously for severe pain as needed. The nurse
should identify which of the following entries as the correct format for the
medication administration record (MAR)?
Morphine 5 mg subcut every 4 hr PRN severe pain
The nurse should identify this entry as the correct format for the MAR. The medication
name is spelled out and there are not any abbreviations from The Joint Commission's
"Do Not Use" list included in the transcription.
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking acetazolamide for chronic open-angle
glaucoma. For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct
the client to monitor and report?
Tingling of fingers
The nurse should instruct the client to report the adverse effect of paresthesia, a tingling
sensation in the extremities, when taking acetazolamide.
,A nurse administers a dose of metformin to a client instead of the prescribed
dose of metoclopramide. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
Check the client's blood glucose.
The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process is to assess the client.
The client is at risk for hypoglycemia. The nurse should monitor the client's blood
glucose and provide the client with a snack to reduce the risk for hypoglycemia.
A nurse is caring for a client who has cancer and is taking oral morphine and
docusate sodium. The nurse should instruct the client that taking the docusate
sodium daily can minimize which of the following adverse effects of morphine?
Constipation
Constipation is a common adverse effect of morphine that can be minimized by taking
docusate sodium, a stool softener that promotes easier evacuation of stool by
increasing water and fat in the intestine.
A nurse is assessing a client's vital signs prior to the administration of PO
digoxin. The client's BP is 144/86 mm Hg, heart rate is 55/min, and respiratory rate
is 20/min. The nurse should withhold the medication and contact the provider for
which of the following findings?
Heart rate
Digoxin slows the conduction rate through the SA and AV nodes, thereby decreasing
the heart rate.
The nurse should withhold the medication and notify the provider for a heart rate of
55/min because this is an early indication of digoxin toxicity.
A nurse is caring for a client who received 0.9% sodium chloride 1 L over 4 hr
instead of over 8 hr as prescribed. Which of the following information should the
nurse enter as a complete documentation of the incident?
, 0.9% sodium chloride 1 L IV infused over 4 hr. Vital signs stable, provider notified.
The nurse should document the type and amount of fluid, how long it took to infuse,
provider notification, and the client's physical status.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has peptic ulcer disease and is to
start a new prescription for sucralfate. Which of the following actions of
sucralfate should the nurse include in the teaching?
Forms a protective barrier over ulcers
Secretions by the parietal and chief cells, hydrochloric acid and pepsin, can further
irritate the ulcerated areas.
Sucralfate, a mucosal protectant, forms a gel-like substance that coats the ulcer,
creating a barrier to hydrochloric acid and pepsin.
A nurse is reviewing the ECG of a client who is receiving IV furosemide for heart
failure. The nurse should identify which of the following findings as an indication
of hypokalemia?
Presence of U-waves
The nurse should identify the presence of U-waves as a manifestation of hypokalemia,
an adverse effect of furosemide.
A nurse on the acute care unit is caring for a client who is receiving gentamicin
IV. The nurse should report which of the following findings to the provider as an
adverse effect of the medication?
Tinnitus
Aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin, are ototoxic, which can manifest as tinnitus and
deafness.
The nurse should monitor the client for high-pitched ringing in the ears and headaches
and should notify the provider if these occur.
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
A nurse is instructing a client on the application of nitroglycerin transdermal
patches. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
"
"I will take the patch off right after my evening meal."
Clients should remove the patch each evening for a medication free time of 12 to 14 hr
before applying a new patch to avoid developing a tolerance to the medication's effects.
A nurse receives a verbal order from the provider to administer morphine five
milligrams every 4 hours subcutaneously for severe pain as needed. The nurse
should identify which of the following entries as the correct format for the
medication administration record (MAR)?
Morphine 5 mg subcut every 4 hr PRN severe pain
The nurse should identify this entry as the correct format for the MAR. The medication
name is spelled out and there are not any abbreviations from The Joint Commission's
"Do Not Use" list included in the transcription.
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking acetazolamide for chronic open-angle
glaucoma. For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct
the client to monitor and report?
Tingling of fingers
The nurse should instruct the client to report the adverse effect of paresthesia, a tingling
sensation in the extremities, when taking acetazolamide.
,A nurse administers a dose of metformin to a client instead of the prescribed
dose of metoclopramide. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
Check the client's blood glucose.
The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process is to assess the client.
The client is at risk for hypoglycemia. The nurse should monitor the client's blood
glucose and provide the client with a snack to reduce the risk for hypoglycemia.
A nurse is caring for a client who has cancer and is taking oral morphine and
docusate sodium. The nurse should instruct the client that taking the docusate
sodium daily can minimize which of the following adverse effects of morphine?
Constipation
Constipation is a common adverse effect of morphine that can be minimized by taking
docusate sodium, a stool softener that promotes easier evacuation of stool by
increasing water and fat in the intestine.
A nurse is assessing a client's vital signs prior to the administration of PO
digoxin. The client's BP is 144/86 mm Hg, heart rate is 55/min, and respiratory rate
is 20/min. The nurse should withhold the medication and contact the provider for
which of the following findings?
Heart rate
Digoxin slows the conduction rate through the SA and AV nodes, thereby decreasing
the heart rate.
The nurse should withhold the medication and notify the provider for a heart rate of
55/min because this is an early indication of digoxin toxicity.
A nurse is caring for a client who received 0.9% sodium chloride 1 L over 4 hr
instead of over 8 hr as prescribed. Which of the following information should the
nurse enter as a complete documentation of the incident?
, 0.9% sodium chloride 1 L IV infused over 4 hr. Vital signs stable, provider notified.
The nurse should document the type and amount of fluid, how long it took to infuse,
provider notification, and the client's physical status.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has peptic ulcer disease and is to
start a new prescription for sucralfate. Which of the following actions of
sucralfate should the nurse include in the teaching?
Forms a protective barrier over ulcers
Secretions by the parietal and chief cells, hydrochloric acid and pepsin, can further
irritate the ulcerated areas.
Sucralfate, a mucosal protectant, forms a gel-like substance that coats the ulcer,
creating a barrier to hydrochloric acid and pepsin.
A nurse is reviewing the ECG of a client who is receiving IV furosemide for heart
failure. The nurse should identify which of the following findings as an indication
of hypokalemia?
Presence of U-waves
The nurse should identify the presence of U-waves as a manifestation of hypokalemia,
an adverse effect of furosemide.
A nurse on the acute care unit is caring for a client who is receiving gentamicin
IV. The nurse should report which of the following findings to the provider as an
adverse effect of the medication?
Tinnitus
Aminoglycosides, such as gentamicin, are ototoxic, which can manifest as tinnitus and
deafness.
The nurse should monitor the client for high-pitched ringing in the ears and headaches
and should notify the provider if these occur.
