INTRODUCTORY CLINICAL
PHARMACOLOGY TEST
1. A client who is prescribed an iron preparation for treating iron deficiency anemia tells
the nurse that she has also been taking ascorbic acid. The nurse would assess the client
for which of the following? A) An increase in seizure activity
B) Signs of vitamin B12 deficiency
C) Increased absorption of iron
D) Signs of folate deficiency Answer: C
Response:
The nurse should monitor for an increased absorption of iron in the client due to the
interaction of ascorbic acid with the iron preparation. An increase in seizure activity
may occur when folic acid is administered with the hydantoins. Signs of folate
deficiency may occur when sulfasalazine is administered concurrently. Vitamin B12
deficiency is a rare deficiency caused by a low dietary intake.
2. A client with megaloblastic anemia is prescribed leucovorin. The nurse would identify
which of the following as a contraindication for this drug?
a. Pernicious anemia
b. Hemochromatosis
c. Uncontrolled hypertension
d. Hypersensitivity to human albumin Answer: A Response:
Leucovorin is contraindicated in clients with pernicious anemia or other anemias in
which vitamin B12 is deficient. Leucovorin is not contraindicated in clients with
hemochromatosis, uncontrolled hypertension, and hypersensitivity to human albumin.
Epoetin alfa is contraindicated in clients with uncontrolled hypertension and
hypersensitivity to human albumin. Iron compounds are contraindicated in clients with
hemochromatosis or hemolytic anemia.
3. A nurse is caring for a client with iron deficiency anemia who is receiving iron
supplements. What information should the nurse include in the teaching plan for this
client?
a. Frequency of urination will increase.
b. Soreness of throat might occur.
c. Itching of throat might occur.
d. Color of stools will become darker. Answer: D Response:
The nurse should inform the client receiving oral iron supplements that the color of
stools will become darker. Frequency of urination is not known to increase with the oral
administration of iron supplements. Similarly, soreness of the throat and itching of the
throat are also not known to occur with the oral administration of iron supplements.
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, 4. A client who was treated for anemia is being discharged. The client has been instructed
to continue with epoetin alfa for a week. Which of the following points should the nurse
include in the teaching plan to educate the client about the therapy when caring for the
client on an outpatient basis?
a. Avoid use of multivitamin preparations.
b. Report signs of joint pain to the primary health care provider.
c. Follow the recommended diet provided by the primary health care provider.
d. Take the drug on an empty stomach or with water. Answer: B
Response:
When caring for a client who is to take epoetin alfa for anemia, the nurse should instruct
the client to report any signs of joint pain, dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea,
vomiting, or diarrhea to the primary health care provider. The nurse should instruct the
client to avoid taking multivitamin preparations and to follow the diet recommended by
the primary health care provider when caring for a client who has to take folic acid. The
nurse should instruct the client to take the drug on an empty stomach or with water
when caring for a client who has to take iron supplements on an outpatient basis.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with hypertension who is prescribed epoetin alfa for
anemia. Which of the following would the nurse include in the plan of care when
administering this drug to the client?
a. Report 10 mm Hg rise in systolic blood pressure to primary health care provider.
b. Note the hematocrit value before each dose during therapy.
c. Shake the drug well before it is administered to the client.
d. Administer the drug once every 3 weeks through IV route. Answer: B
Response:
When caring for a client who is prescribed epoetin alfa, the nurse should measure the
hematocrit before each dose during the drug therapy. The nurse should monitor the
blood pressure of a client with hypertension when he is receiving epoetin alfa and report
any rise of 20 mm Hg or more in the systolic or diastolic pressure to the primary health
care provider. The drug is given three times weekly IV or SC. If the client is receiving
dialysis, the drug is administered into the venous access line. The drug is mixed gently
during preparation for administration. Shaking may denature the glycoprotein.
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PHARMACOLOGY TEST
1. A client who is prescribed an iron preparation for treating iron deficiency anemia tells
the nurse that she has also been taking ascorbic acid. The nurse would assess the client
for which of the following? A) An increase in seizure activity
B) Signs of vitamin B12 deficiency
C) Increased absorption of iron
D) Signs of folate deficiency Answer: C
Response:
The nurse should monitor for an increased absorption of iron in the client due to the
interaction of ascorbic acid with the iron preparation. An increase in seizure activity
may occur when folic acid is administered with the hydantoins. Signs of folate
deficiency may occur when sulfasalazine is administered concurrently. Vitamin B12
deficiency is a rare deficiency caused by a low dietary intake.
2. A client with megaloblastic anemia is prescribed leucovorin. The nurse would identify
which of the following as a contraindication for this drug?
a. Pernicious anemia
b. Hemochromatosis
c. Uncontrolled hypertension
d. Hypersensitivity to human albumin Answer: A Response:
Leucovorin is contraindicated in clients with pernicious anemia or other anemias in
which vitamin B12 is deficient. Leucovorin is not contraindicated in clients with
hemochromatosis, uncontrolled hypertension, and hypersensitivity to human albumin.
Epoetin alfa is contraindicated in clients with uncontrolled hypertension and
hypersensitivity to human albumin. Iron compounds are contraindicated in clients with
hemochromatosis or hemolytic anemia.
3. A nurse is caring for a client with iron deficiency anemia who is receiving iron
supplements. What information should the nurse include in the teaching plan for this
client?
a. Frequency of urination will increase.
b. Soreness of throat might occur.
c. Itching of throat might occur.
d. Color of stools will become darker. Answer: D Response:
The nurse should inform the client receiving oral iron supplements that the color of
stools will become darker. Frequency of urination is not known to increase with the oral
administration of iron supplements. Similarly, soreness of the throat and itching of the
throat are also not known to occur with the oral administration of iron supplements.
Page 8
, 4. A client who was treated for anemia is being discharged. The client has been instructed
to continue with epoetin alfa for a week. Which of the following points should the nurse
include in the teaching plan to educate the client about the therapy when caring for the
client on an outpatient basis?
a. Avoid use of multivitamin preparations.
b. Report signs of joint pain to the primary health care provider.
c. Follow the recommended diet provided by the primary health care provider.
d. Take the drug on an empty stomach or with water. Answer: B
Response:
When caring for a client who is to take epoetin alfa for anemia, the nurse should instruct
the client to report any signs of joint pain, dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea,
vomiting, or diarrhea to the primary health care provider. The nurse should instruct the
client to avoid taking multivitamin preparations and to follow the diet recommended by
the primary health care provider when caring for a client who has to take folic acid. The
nurse should instruct the client to take the drug on an empty stomach or with water
when caring for a client who has to take iron supplements on an outpatient basis.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with hypertension who is prescribed epoetin alfa for
anemia. Which of the following would the nurse include in the plan of care when
administering this drug to the client?
a. Report 10 mm Hg rise in systolic blood pressure to primary health care provider.
b. Note the hematocrit value before each dose during therapy.
c. Shake the drug well before it is administered to the client.
d. Administer the drug once every 3 weeks through IV route. Answer: B
Response:
When caring for a client who is prescribed epoetin alfa, the nurse should measure the
hematocrit before each dose during the drug therapy. The nurse should monitor the
blood pressure of a client with hypertension when he is receiving epoetin alfa and report
any rise of 20 mm Hg or more in the systolic or diastolic pressure to the primary health
care provider. The drug is given three times weekly IV or SC. If the client is receiving
dialysis, the drug is administered into the venous access line. The drug is mixed gently
during preparation for administration. Shaking may denature the glycoprotein.
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