Unit I: Introduction to Pharmacology
, 1. History of Pharmacology
o Evolution of drug discovery and therapeutic practices
o Milestones in modern pharmacology
o Impact of pharmacology on healthcare
2. Basics of Pharmacology
o Key terminology and principles
o Pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion)
o Pharmacodynamics (mechanisms of drug action)
3. Patient Safety in Medication Administration
o The “Five Rights” of medication safety
o Common errors and prevention strategies
o Role of healthcare providers in safe administration
4. Regulations
o Drug approval processes
o Controlled substances and scheduling
o Legal and ethical considerations in prescribing
5. Prescriptions and Labels
Components of a prescription
Reading and interpreting drug labels
Avoiding misinterpretation and errors
Unit II: Calculations
1. Review of Mathematics
o Basic arithmetic for dosage calculations
o Fractions, decimals, and ratios in pharmacology
2. Measurement Systems
o Metric, apothecary, and household systems
o Conversions between systems
3. Dosage Calculations
o Formula methods and dimensional analysis
o Pediatric and geriatric dosage adjustments
o IV flow rate and infusion calculations
Unit III: Administration of Medications
4. Enteral Medications and Administration
Oral, sublingual, and rectal routes
Advantages and limitations
5. Parenteral Medications and Administration
Intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous routes
Injection techniques and safety considerations
Unit IV: Classification of Drugs
3. Integumentary System Medications
Topical agents, antifungals, corticosteroids
5. Musculoskeletal System Medications
Analgesics, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants
7. Nervous System Medications
CNS stimulants and depressants
Anticonvulsants, anesthetics, psychotherapeutics
10. Eye and Ear Medications
Ophthalmic and otic preparations
, Anti-infectives, anti-glaucoma agents
13. Endocrine System Medications
Insulins, oral hypoglycemics, thyroid drugs, corticosteroids
15. Cardiovascular System Medications
Antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics, diuretics, anticoagulants
17. Immunologic System Medications
Vaccines, immunosuppressants, biologics
19. Pulmonary System Medications
Bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antihistamines
21. Gastrointestinal System Medications
Antacids, antiemetics, laxatives, antidiarrheals
23. Reproductive and Urinary System Medications
Test Bank- Pharmacology Clear & Simple (4th Edition) by Cynthia J. Watkins
Drug Classifications & Dosage Calculations Guide
Chapter 1. History of Pharmacology
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
1. While caring for a client who is taking furosemide (Lasix), the nurse recognizes dietary teaching has
been effective if the patient includes which of the following foods in his daily menus?
A. Broccoli and kiwi
B. Oranges and sweet potatoes
C. Kale and cucumbers
D. Bananas and melon
2. A client newly diagnosed with diabetes tells the nurse, ―I can’t take any insulin made from pigs or
cows.‖ Which of the following responses by the nurse is best?
A. ―Most insulin comes from animal sources, but I’m sure alternative options are
available.‖
B. ―Medications that are derived from animals are typically less expensive than
synthetic medications, but synthetic insulin is commonly available.‖
C. ―Most insulin is synthetic now to help reduce the risk of disease transmission.‖
D. ―The animals aren’t hurt in the production of medications, so you don’t need to
worry.‖
3. While providing medications to clients on the cardiac unit, the nurse anticipates that hydralazine
hydrochloride and isosorbide dinitrate (BiDil) would most likely be prescribed for which of the
, following clients?
A. A 48-year-old Caucasian male diagnosed with atrial fibrillation
B. A 55-year-old African American female diagnosed with hypertension
C. A 63-year-old Caucasian female diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome
D. A 64-year-old African American male diagnosed with heart failure
4. While caring for a patient scheduled for knee replacement surgery, the nurse provides cefazolin
(Ancef) as ordered 30 minutes pre-operatively. The nurse knows that teaching has been effective by
which of the following client statements?
A. ―The antibiotic is given as a prophylactic to help reduce the risk of infection after
surgery.‖
B. ―This is a palliative medication to help ease the pain from surgery.‖
C. ―This medication will replace vitamins and minerals that may be lost due to
, 1. History of Pharmacology
o Evolution of drug discovery and therapeutic practices
o Milestones in modern pharmacology
o Impact of pharmacology on healthcare
2. Basics of Pharmacology
o Key terminology and principles
o Pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion)
o Pharmacodynamics (mechanisms of drug action)
3. Patient Safety in Medication Administration
o The “Five Rights” of medication safety
o Common errors and prevention strategies
o Role of healthcare providers in safe administration
4. Regulations
o Drug approval processes
o Controlled substances and scheduling
o Legal and ethical considerations in prescribing
5. Prescriptions and Labels
Components of a prescription
Reading and interpreting drug labels
Avoiding misinterpretation and errors
Unit II: Calculations
1. Review of Mathematics
o Basic arithmetic for dosage calculations
o Fractions, decimals, and ratios in pharmacology
2. Measurement Systems
o Metric, apothecary, and household systems
o Conversions between systems
3. Dosage Calculations
o Formula methods and dimensional analysis
o Pediatric and geriatric dosage adjustments
o IV flow rate and infusion calculations
Unit III: Administration of Medications
4. Enteral Medications and Administration
Oral, sublingual, and rectal routes
Advantages and limitations
5. Parenteral Medications and Administration
Intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intravenous routes
Injection techniques and safety considerations
Unit IV: Classification of Drugs
3. Integumentary System Medications
Topical agents, antifungals, corticosteroids
5. Musculoskeletal System Medications
Analgesics, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants
7. Nervous System Medications
CNS stimulants and depressants
Anticonvulsants, anesthetics, psychotherapeutics
10. Eye and Ear Medications
Ophthalmic and otic preparations
, Anti-infectives, anti-glaucoma agents
13. Endocrine System Medications
Insulins, oral hypoglycemics, thyroid drugs, corticosteroids
15. Cardiovascular System Medications
Antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics, diuretics, anticoagulants
17. Immunologic System Medications
Vaccines, immunosuppressants, biologics
19. Pulmonary System Medications
Bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antihistamines
21. Gastrointestinal System Medications
Antacids, antiemetics, laxatives, antidiarrheals
23. Reproductive and Urinary System Medications
Test Bank- Pharmacology Clear & Simple (4th Edition) by Cynthia J. Watkins
Drug Classifications & Dosage Calculations Guide
Chapter 1. History of Pharmacology
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
1. While caring for a client who is taking furosemide (Lasix), the nurse recognizes dietary teaching has
been effective if the patient includes which of the following foods in his daily menus?
A. Broccoli and kiwi
B. Oranges and sweet potatoes
C. Kale and cucumbers
D. Bananas and melon
2. A client newly diagnosed with diabetes tells the nurse, ―I can’t take any insulin made from pigs or
cows.‖ Which of the following responses by the nurse is best?
A. ―Most insulin comes from animal sources, but I’m sure alternative options are
available.‖
B. ―Medications that are derived from animals are typically less expensive than
synthetic medications, but synthetic insulin is commonly available.‖
C. ―Most insulin is synthetic now to help reduce the risk of disease transmission.‖
D. ―The animals aren’t hurt in the production of medications, so you don’t need to
worry.‖
3. While providing medications to clients on the cardiac unit, the nurse anticipates that hydralazine
hydrochloride and isosorbide dinitrate (BiDil) would most likely be prescribed for which of the
, following clients?
A. A 48-year-old Caucasian male diagnosed with atrial fibrillation
B. A 55-year-old African American female diagnosed with hypertension
C. A 63-year-old Caucasian female diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome
D. A 64-year-old African American male diagnosed with heart failure
4. While caring for a patient scheduled for knee replacement surgery, the nurse provides cefazolin
(Ancef) as ordered 30 minutes pre-operatively. The nurse knows that teaching has been effective by
which of the following client statements?
A. ―The antibiotic is given as a prophylactic to help reduce the risk of infection after
surgery.‖
B. ―This is a palliative medication to help ease the pain from surgery.‖
C. ―This medication will replace vitamins and minerals that may be lost due to
