NR 565 MIDTERM EXAM 2025 | ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY |
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS, EXAMS OF
PHARMACOLOGY
What are some potential problems that arise with written prescriptions? - ANSWER-Must
contain all elements
May have pre-populated information
Write legibly
Avoid error prone abbreviations
Tamper resistant scripts are often required
Reasons for monitoring drug therapy - ANSWER-determining therapeutic dosage
evaluating medication adequacy
identifying adverse effects
serious or life-threatening risks.
Which schedules of drugs can APRNs prescribe? - ANSWER-depends on state - most II-V
How does limited prescriptive authority impact patients within the healthcare system? -
ANSWER-longer wait times to sign a prescription
limits practitioners that are needed in rural areas
unequal relationships between providers. Ex. one has more power
high need for providers due to lack of providers and high amounts of patients.
Independent practitioners= more patients being seen= lessens the patient/provider load
Provider key responsibilities when prescribing? - ANSWER-safe and competent practice
understanding of the drugs, reactions, and pharmacology
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Be aware of the age group you are prescribing to
Ex. Children vs older adults
What should be used to make prescribing decisions? - ANSWER-documented provider-patient
relationship, not prescribing for family or friends, documenting a thorough H&P, including
discussions with the patient, drug monitoring/titrating.
cost, guidelines, availability, interactions, side effects, allergies, hepatic and renal function, need
for monitoring, and special populations
What happens when someone has a poor metabolism phenotype? - ANSWER-medications
metabolized slower, medication might not work or put them at risk for side-effects
What does the US food and drug administration regulate when it comes to medications? -
ANSWER-Whether the drug is safe, effective, and benefits of a drug outweigh the risks
reasons for medication non-adherence - ANSWER-patients never filling/refilling prescriptions
(resulting in therapeutic failure)
multiple chronic disorders
multiple prescription medications
multiple doses per day for each medication
drug packaging that is difficult to open
multiple prescribers
changes in the regimen (adding meds, changes in dose or timing)
cognitive or physical impairment (reduction in memory, hearing, visual, color, or manual
dexterity)
living alone
recent discharge from hospital
low literacy
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inability to pay for meds
personal conviction that a drug is unnecessary or the dosage is too high
presence of side effects
Which statements are possible reasons for medication non-adherence? - ANSWER-"I tried to
take for weeks and it just wasn't working"
"It was so expensive I only took it once a day instead of twice"
"I dropped the whole medication bottle on the floor"
"I was traveling and busy"
"I lost the medication level"
"I ran out"
"I couldn't remember if I took it this morning and sometimes I just forget"
What are black box warnings? - ANSWER-Is the strongest safety warning a drug can carry and
still remain on the market. Usually presented on the label with a heavy black border.
Why are black box warnings issued? - ANSWER-Issued by the FDA due to having serious or life-
threatening risks
What is neonate and infant drug dosing based on? - ANSWER-weight or body surface area (BSA)
After age one what happens to pharmacokinetic parameters, including drug sensitivity? -
ANSWER-mirror adult parameters
Children under two have fast metabolism - ANSWER-true
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How is absorption of transdermal medications different in neonates? - ANSWER-more rapid and
complete in infants than in older children and adults. the skin is very thin and blood flow is great
in infants
How is absorption of oral medications different in neonates? - ANSWER-absorption may be
enhanced or impeded depending on the properties of the drug. gastric emptying is irregular,
drugs absrobed in the intestine are absorbed slower.
Common fears with genetic testing - ANSWER-Lack of education - many health care providers do
not possess the knowledge or comfort to interpret the tesgin
financial cost - many insurance plans do not cover this. cost can be from $100-2000.
discrimination from employers, insurance companies or providers
12 CDC guidelines for prescribing opioids - ANSWER-Opioids are not first line therapy
establish goals for pain and function
Discuss risks and benefits
Use immediate release opioids when starting
Use the lowest effective dose
Prescribe short durations for acute pain
Evaluate benefits and harms frequently
Use strategies to migrate risk
Review PDMP data
Use urine drug testing
Avoid concurrent opioid and benzo prescribing
Offer treatment for opioid use disorder
Pure opioid agonist - ANSWER-activate opioid receptors in brain resulting in opioid effect