3:42:51 PM NLN EXAM Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Pharmacology – Archer NCLEX
Review 2025 Complete Exam
Questions, Notes and Drug Summaries
and Answers
A client with a persistent dry cough is prescribed codeine as an antitussive. What is a critical
nursing consideration for this client?
A. Monitor for signs of hypertension
B. Assess for respiratory depression
C. Encourage fluid intake to thin secretions
D. Advise the client to take the medication with meals
Assess for respiratory depression
(Codeine is an opioid that can slow down the breathing center in the brain, especially in higher
doses or sensitive individuals. Respiratory depression is the most serious side effect, so it must
be monitored closely to prevent life-threatening complications.)
A client is prescribed nitrofurantoin for a urinary tract infection (UTI). Which potential side
effects should the nurse instruct the client to report immediately?
A. Nausea
B. Diarrhea
C. Shortness of breath
D. Headache
shortness of breath
A client with nasal congestion is prescribed a topical decongestant. What important instruction
should the nurse provide?
A. Use the medication for no more than 3-5 consecutive days
B. Take the medication with food to reduce stomach upset
C. Avoid using the medication at bedtime
,3:42:51 PM NLN EXAM Wednesday, July 30, 2025
D. Combine with an antitussive to manage cough
Use the medication for no more than 3-5 consecutive days
Which side effect should the nurse monitor for in a client taking theophylline?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Insomnia
D. Constipation
Insomnia
A client receiving mannitol for cerebral edema reports shortness of breath. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Assess lung sounds for crackles
C. Administer a bronchodilator
D. Discontinue the mannitol immediately
Assess lung sounds for crackles
A client experiencing seasonal allergies is prescribed diphenhydramine. Which side effect should
the nurse be most concerned about?
A. Tachycardia
B. Urinary retention
C. Photosensitivity
D. Nausea and vomiting
Urinary retention
A client with acute renal failure is started on mannitol. Which outcome would indicate the
desired effect of this medication?
A. Decreased urine output
B. Increased intracranial pressure
C. Increased urine output
D. Decreased blood pressure
,3:42:51 PM NLN EXAM Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Increased urine output
A client with a urinary tract infection (UTI) is prescribed trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Discontinue the medication once symptoms improve.
B. Increase your intake of citrus juices.
C. Take the medication with a full glass of water.
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
Take the medication with a full glass of water.
Which medication should be administered first if a client is prescribed both a short-acting beta-
agonist (SABA) and an inhaled corticosteroid?
A. Inhaled corticosteroid
B. Short-acting beta-agonist (SABA)
C. It doesn't matter which is administered first
D. Both medications should be mixed together
Short-acting beta-agonist (SABA)
A client with hypertension and a history of gout is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide. What
potential complication should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hyperuricemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Hyperuricemia
What is the primary action of corticosteroids in asthma management?
A. Increase bronchodilation
B. Suppress the inflammatory response
C. Reduce mucus production
D. Block muscarinic receptors
Suppress the inflammatory response
, 3:42:51 PM NLN EXAM Wednesday, July 30, 2025
A client using a metered-dose inhaler with a spacer asks about the correct technique. Which step
should the nurse include?
A. Breathe out fully before pressing the inhaler
B. Press the inhaler and breathe out at the same time
C. Do not hold your breath after inhaling the medication
D. Skip shaking the inhaler when using a spacer
Breathe out fully before pressing the inhaler
A client with gout is prescribed colchicine for an acute attack. Which instruction should the nurse
provide?
A. Take this medication with food to reduce stomach upset.
B. Discontinue the medication once pain relief is achieved.
C. Increase your intake of vitamin C while on this medication.
D. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
Avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
A client is prescribed a leukotriene receptor antagonist for asthma management. Which of the
following medications is a leukotriene receptor antagonist?
A. Theophylline
B. Montelukast
C. Ipratropium
D. Salmeterol
Montelukast
A client with increased intracranial pressure is prescribed mannitol. What is the primary action of
this medication?
A. Increases sodium reabsorption
B. Decreases water reabsorption
C. Increases water excretion by creating an osmotic gradient
D. Decreases potassium excretion
Increases water excretion by creating an osmotic gradient
Pharmacology – Archer NCLEX
Review 2025 Complete Exam
Questions, Notes and Drug Summaries
and Answers
A client with a persistent dry cough is prescribed codeine as an antitussive. What is a critical
nursing consideration for this client?
A. Monitor for signs of hypertension
B. Assess for respiratory depression
C. Encourage fluid intake to thin secretions
D. Advise the client to take the medication with meals
Assess for respiratory depression
(Codeine is an opioid that can slow down the breathing center in the brain, especially in higher
doses or sensitive individuals. Respiratory depression is the most serious side effect, so it must
be monitored closely to prevent life-threatening complications.)
A client is prescribed nitrofurantoin for a urinary tract infection (UTI). Which potential side
effects should the nurse instruct the client to report immediately?
A. Nausea
B. Diarrhea
C. Shortness of breath
D. Headache
shortness of breath
A client with nasal congestion is prescribed a topical decongestant. What important instruction
should the nurse provide?
A. Use the medication for no more than 3-5 consecutive days
B. Take the medication with food to reduce stomach upset
C. Avoid using the medication at bedtime
,3:42:51 PM NLN EXAM Wednesday, July 30, 2025
D. Combine with an antitussive to manage cough
Use the medication for no more than 3-5 consecutive days
Which side effect should the nurse monitor for in a client taking theophylline?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Insomnia
D. Constipation
Insomnia
A client receiving mannitol for cerebral edema reports shortness of breath. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Assess lung sounds for crackles
C. Administer a bronchodilator
D. Discontinue the mannitol immediately
Assess lung sounds for crackles
A client experiencing seasonal allergies is prescribed diphenhydramine. Which side effect should
the nurse be most concerned about?
A. Tachycardia
B. Urinary retention
C. Photosensitivity
D. Nausea and vomiting
Urinary retention
A client with acute renal failure is started on mannitol. Which outcome would indicate the
desired effect of this medication?
A. Decreased urine output
B. Increased intracranial pressure
C. Increased urine output
D. Decreased blood pressure
,3:42:51 PM NLN EXAM Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Increased urine output
A client with a urinary tract infection (UTI) is prescribed trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Discontinue the medication once symptoms improve.
B. Increase your intake of citrus juices.
C. Take the medication with a full glass of water.
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
Take the medication with a full glass of water.
Which medication should be administered first if a client is prescribed both a short-acting beta-
agonist (SABA) and an inhaled corticosteroid?
A. Inhaled corticosteroid
B. Short-acting beta-agonist (SABA)
C. It doesn't matter which is administered first
D. Both medications should be mixed together
Short-acting beta-agonist (SABA)
A client with hypertension and a history of gout is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide. What
potential complication should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hyperuricemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Hyperuricemia
What is the primary action of corticosteroids in asthma management?
A. Increase bronchodilation
B. Suppress the inflammatory response
C. Reduce mucus production
D. Block muscarinic receptors
Suppress the inflammatory response
, 3:42:51 PM NLN EXAM Wednesday, July 30, 2025
A client using a metered-dose inhaler with a spacer asks about the correct technique. Which step
should the nurse include?
A. Breathe out fully before pressing the inhaler
B. Press the inhaler and breathe out at the same time
C. Do not hold your breath after inhaling the medication
D. Skip shaking the inhaler when using a spacer
Breathe out fully before pressing the inhaler
A client with gout is prescribed colchicine for an acute attack. Which instruction should the nurse
provide?
A. Take this medication with food to reduce stomach upset.
B. Discontinue the medication once pain relief is achieved.
C. Increase your intake of vitamin C while on this medication.
D. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
Avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
A client is prescribed a leukotriene receptor antagonist for asthma management. Which of the
following medications is a leukotriene receptor antagonist?
A. Theophylline
B. Montelukast
C. Ipratropium
D. Salmeterol
Montelukast
A client with increased intracranial pressure is prescribed mannitol. What is the primary action of
this medication?
A. Increases sodium reabsorption
B. Decreases water reabsorption
C. Increases water excretion by creating an osmotic gradient
D. Decreases potassium excretion
Increases water excretion by creating an osmotic gradient
