Page | 1
PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSES
2025 | COMPLETE TEST BANK +
NCLEX-STYLE QUESTIONS WITH
RATIONALES | SAFE MED ADMIN
PACK
✅ 1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which lab value
should the nurse assess prior to administration?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Low potassium levels increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. Always check serum
potassium before giving digoxin.
✅ 2. A client with tuberculosis is prescribed rifampin. What side effect should
the nurse teach the client about?
A. Constipation
B. Red-orange discoloration of body fluids
C. Tinnitus
D. Diarrhea
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rifampin causes harmless but noticeable red-orange discoloration of urine, tears,
and sweat.
, ✅ 3. Which of the following should be reported immediately in a client receiving
IV vancomycin?
A. Mild nausea
B. Red, flushed face and neck
Page | 2 C. Tinnitus and decreased urine output
D. Increased appetite
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: These are signs of ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity, serious adverse effects of
vancomycin.
✅ 4. A nurse is teaching about nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. Which statement
by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I’ll chew the tablet if the pain is severe."
B. "I can take up to six tablets in an hour."
C. "I should let it dissolve completely under my tongue."
D. "I should swallow the tablet with water."
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin must dissolve under the tongue for rapid absorption and
effect.
✅ 5. A client on warfarin reports gum bleeding. What is the nurse's first action?
A. Check the client’s INR
B. Administer protamine sulfate
C. Tell the client to stop the drug
D. Encourage hydration
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An elevated INR indicates increased bleeding risk; lab assessment is the first step
before taking further action.
✅ 6. A nurse is giving lithium. Which lab value is most important to monitor?
A. Calcium
B. Sodium
C. Glucose
D. Magnesium
, ✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyponatremia can lead to lithium toxicity, so sodium levels must be monitored.
Page | 3 ✅ 7. Which instruction is most important for a client starting levothyroxine?
A. Take with food
B. Take at bedtime
C. Take in the morning on an empty stomach
D. Take with an antacid
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine is best absorbed on an empty stomach, typically taken 30–60
minutes before breakfast.
✅ 8. What is a serious side effect of furosemide?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Ototoxicity
C. Constipation
D. Insomnia
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: High doses or rapid IV administration of furosemide can lead to hearing loss.
✅ 9. A nurse is teaching about metformin. What is a serious complication to
report immediately?
A. Constipation
B. Rash
C. Muscle pain and fatigue
D. Increased thirst
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: These may indicate lactic acidosis, a rare but life-threatening adverse effect of
metformin.
✅ 10. A client is receiving albuterol. What side effect should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia and tremors
, C. Weight gain
D. Drowsiness
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol stimulates beta-2 receptors but may also activate beta-1, causing
increased heart rate and jitteriness.
Page | 4
✅ 11. A nurse gives morphine. What is the most important post-administration
assessment?
A. Heart rate
B. Respiratory rate
C. Temperature
D. Pupil size
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression; monitoring respirations is priority.
✅ 12. What teaching is important for a client on tetracycline?
A. Avoid dairy products
B. Take with antacids
C. Double dose if missed
D. Take with iron
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dairy binds tetracyclines, decreasing absorption.
✅ 13. Which medication increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Aspirin
B. Furosemide
C. Acetaminophen
D. Ibuprofen
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide causes hypokalemia, which increases digoxin toxicity risk.
✅ 14. A client is on isoniazid. What supplement is required?
PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSES
2025 | COMPLETE TEST BANK +
NCLEX-STYLE QUESTIONS WITH
RATIONALES | SAFE MED ADMIN
PACK
✅ 1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which lab value
should the nurse assess prior to administration?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Low potassium levels increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. Always check serum
potassium before giving digoxin.
✅ 2. A client with tuberculosis is prescribed rifampin. What side effect should
the nurse teach the client about?
A. Constipation
B. Red-orange discoloration of body fluids
C. Tinnitus
D. Diarrhea
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rifampin causes harmless but noticeable red-orange discoloration of urine, tears,
and sweat.
, ✅ 3. Which of the following should be reported immediately in a client receiving
IV vancomycin?
A. Mild nausea
B. Red, flushed face and neck
Page | 2 C. Tinnitus and decreased urine output
D. Increased appetite
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: These are signs of ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity, serious adverse effects of
vancomycin.
✅ 4. A nurse is teaching about nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. Which statement
by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I’ll chew the tablet if the pain is severe."
B. "I can take up to six tablets in an hour."
C. "I should let it dissolve completely under my tongue."
D. "I should swallow the tablet with water."
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin must dissolve under the tongue for rapid absorption and
effect.
✅ 5. A client on warfarin reports gum bleeding. What is the nurse's first action?
A. Check the client’s INR
B. Administer protamine sulfate
C. Tell the client to stop the drug
D. Encourage hydration
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An elevated INR indicates increased bleeding risk; lab assessment is the first step
before taking further action.
✅ 6. A nurse is giving lithium. Which lab value is most important to monitor?
A. Calcium
B. Sodium
C. Glucose
D. Magnesium
, ✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyponatremia can lead to lithium toxicity, so sodium levels must be monitored.
Page | 3 ✅ 7. Which instruction is most important for a client starting levothyroxine?
A. Take with food
B. Take at bedtime
C. Take in the morning on an empty stomach
D. Take with an antacid
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine is best absorbed on an empty stomach, typically taken 30–60
minutes before breakfast.
✅ 8. What is a serious side effect of furosemide?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Ototoxicity
C. Constipation
D. Insomnia
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: High doses or rapid IV administration of furosemide can lead to hearing loss.
✅ 9. A nurse is teaching about metformin. What is a serious complication to
report immediately?
A. Constipation
B. Rash
C. Muscle pain and fatigue
D. Increased thirst
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: These may indicate lactic acidosis, a rare but life-threatening adverse effect of
metformin.
✅ 10. A client is receiving albuterol. What side effect should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia and tremors
, C. Weight gain
D. Drowsiness
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol stimulates beta-2 receptors but may also activate beta-1, causing
increased heart rate and jitteriness.
Page | 4
✅ 11. A nurse gives morphine. What is the most important post-administration
assessment?
A. Heart rate
B. Respiratory rate
C. Temperature
D. Pupil size
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression; monitoring respirations is priority.
✅ 12. What teaching is important for a client on tetracycline?
A. Avoid dairy products
B. Take with antacids
C. Double dose if missed
D. Take with iron
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dairy binds tetracyclines, decreasing absorption.
✅ 13. Which medication increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Aspirin
B. Furosemide
C. Acetaminophen
D. Ibuprofen
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide causes hypokalemia, which increases digoxin toxicity risk.
✅ 14. A client is on isoniazid. What supplement is required?
