INTRODUCTORY CLINICAL
PHARMACOLOGY TEST.
1. A client has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. The physician has prescribed
sulfasalazine to the client. Based on the nurse's understanding of this condition, the
nurse would monitor the client for which of the following?
A) Mild symptoms of contact dermatitis
B) Abdominal pain and distention
C) Severe blood- and mucus-filled diarrhea
D) Frequent loose or watery stools Answer: C
Response:
The nurse should monitor for severe blood- and mucus-filled diarrhea in the client with
ulcerative colitis. Pain and fatigue also accompany this disorder. Abdominal pain and
distention are clinical manifestations of Crohn's disease. When clients are
hypersensitive to ragweed, asters, and chrysanthemums are administered the chamomile
herb, mild symptoms of contact dermatitis are observed. Frequent loose or watery stools
are not associated with ulcerative colitis.
2. A nurse is caring for a client receiving bismuth subsalicylate for the relief of diarrhea.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse perform to promote an optimal
response to the prescribed drug therapy?
A) Thoroughly mix and stir the drug before administering.
B) Administer the drug after each loose bowel movement.
C) Ensure the client receives adequate sunlight.
D) Encourage the client to lightly exercise on a daily basis. Answer: B
Response:
The nurse should administer the drug after each loose bowel movement to promote an
optimal response to the prescribed drug therapy in the client with diarrhea. The nurse
should inspect each bowel movement before making a decision to administer the drug.
Laxatives that are in powder, flake, or granule form are mixed and stirred before being
administered to the client with constipation. The nurse need not ensure that the client
receives adequate sunlight or encourage the client to lightly exercise on a daily basis as
these interventions will not help in promoting an optimal response to the prescribed
drug therapy.
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Page
, 3. During a routine clinic visit, a client tells the nurse that he is taking an over-the-counter
antidiarrheal agent for treatment of diarrhea. The nurse reviews the drug information
with the client. Afterward, the nurse determines that the teaching was successful when
the client states that he will contact his primary health care provider if the diarrhea is
not resolved within which time frame?
A) 24 hours
B) 48 hours
C) 72 hours
D) 96 hours Answer: B
Response:
If diarrhea persists for more than 2 days when over-the-counter (OTC) antidiarrheal
drugs are being used, the client should discontinue use and seek treatment from the
primary health care provider.
4. A client is receiving a bowel evacuant in preparation for a colonoscopy. The client tells
the nurse that he has been ―going to the bathroom about every 30 to 45 minutes‖ since
he started taking the drug and his stools are ―like water.‖ He reports that he is thirsty
and his mouth feels dry. Which nursing diagnosis would the nurse most likely identify?
A) Risk for Infection
B) Risk for Injury
C) Risk for Imbalanced Fluid Volume
D) Deficient Knowledge Answer: C
Response:
The client's report of frequent stools, which is a result of the drug therapy, along with
complaints of feeling thirsty and dry mouth suggest the nursing diagnosis of Risk for
Imbalanced Fluid Volume due to the large losses of fluid from the body from the drug.
There is no evidence to support a risk for infection or deficient knowledge. Risk for
Injury would be appropriate if the client was experiencing drowsiness or dizziness in
conjunction with the fluid losses.
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PHARMACOLOGY TEST.
1. A client has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. The physician has prescribed
sulfasalazine to the client. Based on the nurse's understanding of this condition, the
nurse would monitor the client for which of the following?
A) Mild symptoms of contact dermatitis
B) Abdominal pain and distention
C) Severe blood- and mucus-filled diarrhea
D) Frequent loose or watery stools Answer: C
Response:
The nurse should monitor for severe blood- and mucus-filled diarrhea in the client with
ulcerative colitis. Pain and fatigue also accompany this disorder. Abdominal pain and
distention are clinical manifestations of Crohn's disease. When clients are
hypersensitive to ragweed, asters, and chrysanthemums are administered the chamomile
herb, mild symptoms of contact dermatitis are observed. Frequent loose or watery stools
are not associated with ulcerative colitis.
2. A nurse is caring for a client receiving bismuth subsalicylate for the relief of diarrhea.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse perform to promote an optimal
response to the prescribed drug therapy?
A) Thoroughly mix and stir the drug before administering.
B) Administer the drug after each loose bowel movement.
C) Ensure the client receives adequate sunlight.
D) Encourage the client to lightly exercise on a daily basis. Answer: B
Response:
The nurse should administer the drug after each loose bowel movement to promote an
optimal response to the prescribed drug therapy in the client with diarrhea. The nurse
should inspect each bowel movement before making a decision to administer the drug.
Laxatives that are in powder, flake, or granule form are mixed and stirred before being
administered to the client with constipation. The nurse need not ensure that the client
receives adequate sunlight or encourage the client to lightly exercise on a daily basis as
these interventions will not help in promoting an optimal response to the prescribed
drug therapy.
11
Page
, 3. During a routine clinic visit, a client tells the nurse that he is taking an over-the-counter
antidiarrheal agent for treatment of diarrhea. The nurse reviews the drug information
with the client. Afterward, the nurse determines that the teaching was successful when
the client states that he will contact his primary health care provider if the diarrhea is
not resolved within which time frame?
A) 24 hours
B) 48 hours
C) 72 hours
D) 96 hours Answer: B
Response:
If diarrhea persists for more than 2 days when over-the-counter (OTC) antidiarrheal
drugs are being used, the client should discontinue use and seek treatment from the
primary health care provider.
4. A client is receiving a bowel evacuant in preparation for a colonoscopy. The client tells
the nurse that he has been ―going to the bathroom about every 30 to 45 minutes‖ since
he started taking the drug and his stools are ―like water.‖ He reports that he is thirsty
and his mouth feels dry. Which nursing diagnosis would the nurse most likely identify?
A) Risk for Infection
B) Risk for Injury
C) Risk for Imbalanced Fluid Volume
D) Deficient Knowledge Answer: C
Response:
The client's report of frequent stools, which is a result of the drug therapy, along with
complaints of feeling thirsty and dry mouth suggest the nursing diagnosis of Risk for
Imbalanced Fluid Volume due to the large losses of fluid from the body from the drug.
There is no evidence to support a risk for infection or deficient knowledge. Risk for
Injury would be appropriate if the client was experiencing drowsiness or dizziness in
conjunction with the fluid losses.
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