1|Page
NCLEX PHARMACOLOGY VATI, RN VATI
PHARMACOLOGY | ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
The first action is to analyze the potential risks to the client. Clonidine is a centrally
acting alpha2 agonist that decreases BP. By reviewing the adverse effects of
clonidine, such as hypotension, bradycardia, drowsiness, anxiety, nightmares, as
well as any possible interaction btw medications, the nurse can identify risks and
develop a plan of care for the client to reduce the risk for further harm.
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving androgen therapy to treat
endometriosis. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following
averse effects?
a. Weight loss
b. Hypotension
c. Muscle hypertrophy
d. Edema - correct-answer-d. Edema
Androgens treat endometriosis and fibrocystic breast disease, and can cause fluid
retention; therefore, androgen therapy should be used cautiously with clients who
have existing cardiac or renal impairment. The nurse should monitor the client for
edema and instruct the client to measure weight daily.
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A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving heparin by continuous IV infusion for
treatment of venous thrombosis. Which of the following laboratory values should
the nurse monitor for in order to titrate the heparin dose?
a. Platelet function assay
b. aPTT
c. INR
d. Amylase - correct-answer-b. aPTT
The nurse should monitor the aPTT of a client who is receiving heparin by
continuous IV infusion. When beginning heparin therapy, the nurse should
monitor the aPTT every 4 to 6 hr. Once the client has achieved the desired range,
the nurse should monitor the aPTT daily.
which one for warfarin and which one for heparin? - correct-answer-Warfarin- INR
Heparin- aPTT
A nurse providing teaching to a pt who is scheduled to receive chemotherapy and
has a script for ondansetron for nausea and vomiting. Which of the following
should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. restlessness is an expected effect of the medication
b. take the medication 30 min after chemotherapy
c. acute nausea resolves within 12 hr of chemo administration
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d. Additional meds can be required. - correct-answer-d. Additional meds can be
required.
Combinations of antiemetics are usually more effective than single-medication
therapy at managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The
combination of a serotonin antagonist, such as ondansetron, with a corticosteroid,
such as dexamethasone, can be highly effective in preventing chemotherapy-
induced nausea and vomiting.
A nurse is reviewing the medical history of a client who has a new diagnosis of
diabetes mellitus and is asking about taking metformin. Which of the following
client conditions should the nurse identify as a contraindication of this
medication?
a. a history of migraine headaches
b. alcohol use disorder
c. a history of peptic ulcer disease
d. tobacco use - correct-answer-b. alcohol use disorder
Metformin can inhibit the breakdown of lactic acid, causing life-threatening lactic
acidosis. The nurse should identify alcohol use disorder as a contraindication
because alcohol further inhibits the breakdown of lactic acid.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
beclomethasone and albuterol inhalers. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include in the teaching?
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a. "gargle with water after using beclomethasone".
b. "it is not necessary to shake beclomethasone prior to use".
c. "use beclomethasone for an acute asthma attack".
d. "use beclomethasone before using albuterol to increase absorption". - correct-
answer-a. "gargle with water after using beclomethasone".
Beclomethasone is an inhaled corticosteroid that prevents bronchial
inflammation. Because it can cause oral candida infections, the nurse should
instruct the client to gargle with water after using beclomethasone.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for penicillin V. Which of the
following adverse effects is the priority for the nurse to monitor after
administration of the medication?
a. laryngeal edema
b. urticaria
c. epigastric distress
d. maculopapular rash - correct-answer-a. laryngeal edema
when using ABCs, the nurse should determine that the priority adverse effect to
monitor the client for is laryngeal edema, which indicates an anaphylactic
reaction. This is a life-threatening reaction that compromises the client's airway
and requires treatment with epinephrine.
NCLEX PHARMACOLOGY VATI, RN VATI
PHARMACOLOGY | ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
The first action is to analyze the potential risks to the client. Clonidine is a centrally
acting alpha2 agonist that decreases BP. By reviewing the adverse effects of
clonidine, such as hypotension, bradycardia, drowsiness, anxiety, nightmares, as
well as any possible interaction btw medications, the nurse can identify risks and
develop a plan of care for the client to reduce the risk for further harm.
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving androgen therapy to treat
endometriosis. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following
averse effects?
a. Weight loss
b. Hypotension
c. Muscle hypertrophy
d. Edema - correct-answer-d. Edema
Androgens treat endometriosis and fibrocystic breast disease, and can cause fluid
retention; therefore, androgen therapy should be used cautiously with clients who
have existing cardiac or renal impairment. The nurse should monitor the client for
edema and instruct the client to measure weight daily.
,2|Page
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving heparin by continuous IV infusion for
treatment of venous thrombosis. Which of the following laboratory values should
the nurse monitor for in order to titrate the heparin dose?
a. Platelet function assay
b. aPTT
c. INR
d. Amylase - correct-answer-b. aPTT
The nurse should monitor the aPTT of a client who is receiving heparin by
continuous IV infusion. When beginning heparin therapy, the nurse should
monitor the aPTT every 4 to 6 hr. Once the client has achieved the desired range,
the nurse should monitor the aPTT daily.
which one for warfarin and which one for heparin? - correct-answer-Warfarin- INR
Heparin- aPTT
A nurse providing teaching to a pt who is scheduled to receive chemotherapy and
has a script for ondansetron for nausea and vomiting. Which of the following
should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. restlessness is an expected effect of the medication
b. take the medication 30 min after chemotherapy
c. acute nausea resolves within 12 hr of chemo administration
,3|Page
d. Additional meds can be required. - correct-answer-d. Additional meds can be
required.
Combinations of antiemetics are usually more effective than single-medication
therapy at managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The
combination of a serotonin antagonist, such as ondansetron, with a corticosteroid,
such as dexamethasone, can be highly effective in preventing chemotherapy-
induced nausea and vomiting.
A nurse is reviewing the medical history of a client who has a new diagnosis of
diabetes mellitus and is asking about taking metformin. Which of the following
client conditions should the nurse identify as a contraindication of this
medication?
a. a history of migraine headaches
b. alcohol use disorder
c. a history of peptic ulcer disease
d. tobacco use - correct-answer-b. alcohol use disorder
Metformin can inhibit the breakdown of lactic acid, causing life-threatening lactic
acidosis. The nurse should identify alcohol use disorder as a contraindication
because alcohol further inhibits the breakdown of lactic acid.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
beclomethasone and albuterol inhalers. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include in the teaching?
, 4|Page
a. "gargle with water after using beclomethasone".
b. "it is not necessary to shake beclomethasone prior to use".
c. "use beclomethasone for an acute asthma attack".
d. "use beclomethasone before using albuterol to increase absorption". - correct-
answer-a. "gargle with water after using beclomethasone".
Beclomethasone is an inhaled corticosteroid that prevents bronchial
inflammation. Because it can cause oral candida infections, the nurse should
instruct the client to gargle with water after using beclomethasone.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for penicillin V. Which of the
following adverse effects is the priority for the nurse to monitor after
administration of the medication?
a. laryngeal edema
b. urticaria
c. epigastric distress
d. maculopapular rash - correct-answer-a. laryngeal edema
when using ABCs, the nurse should determine that the priority adverse effect to
monitor the client for is laryngeal edema, which indicates an anaphylactic
reaction. This is a life-threatening reaction that compromises the client's airway
and requires treatment with epinephrine.
