Updated for 2026-2027
RELIAS RN PHARMACOLOGY TEST A 2025–2026 | REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |
COMPLETE STUDY BUNDLE (160 QS),100% CORRECT ALREADY
GRADED A+
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure.
Which assessment is most important before giving the medication?
A. Blood glucose level
B. Apical pulse rate
C. Respiratory rate
D. Blood pressure
Correct Answer: B. Apical pulse rate
Rationale: Digoxin slows the heart rate. If the apical pulse is below 60 bpm, the
medication should be withheld to prevent bradycardia.
2. A patient taking warfarin asks why regular blood tests are necessary. What
is the best response?
A. “They check your kidney function.”
B. “They measure your blood glucose.”
C. “They ensure your blood clotting level is safe.”
D. “They test for liver enzymes.”
Correct Answer: C. They ensure your blood clotting level is safe.
Rationale: Warfarin affects clotting; INR testing ensures the dose maintains safe
anticoagulation levels.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient prescribed furosemide. Which statement
shows understanding?
A. “I will increase my potassium-rich foods.”
B. “I will avoid salt substitutes.”
,Updated for 2026-2027
C. “I can stop taking it when my swelling decreases.”
D. “I’ll take it before bedtime.”
Correct Answer: A. I will increase my potassium-rich foods.
Rationale: Furosemide causes potassium loss; patients should increase dietary
potassium.
4. A nurse is administering insulin lispro. When should the nurse serve the
patient’s meal?
A. 30 minutes before injection
B. 15 minutes after injection
C. Immediately after injection
D. Immediately before injection
Correct Answer: D. Immediately before injection
Rationale: Lispro is rapid-acting; food should be available to prevent
hypoglycemia.
5. A patient receiving morphine develops respiratory depression. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Acetylcysteine
B. Naloxone
C. Flumazenil
D. Atropine
Correct Answer: B. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses respiratory depression
caused by opioids.
6. A patient taking lithium reports nausea and tremors. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Encourage fluids
B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
,Updated for 2026-2027
C. Give with food
D. Reassure the patient
Correct Answer: B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
Rationale: Nausea and tremors may indicate lithium toxicity; the medication
should be withheld until levels are checked.
7. Which instruction should the nurse give a patient prescribed nitroglycerin
sublingual tablets?
A. “Swallow the tablet with water.”
B. “Take one tablet every 15 minutes.”
C. “Store tablets in a cool, dark place.”
D. “Take the tablets with food.”
Correct Answer: C. Store tablets in a cool, dark place.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is light and heat-sensitive; proper storage maintains
potency.
8. A patient prescribed levothyroxine asks when to take it. Which instruction
is correct?
A. “Take it with your breakfast.”
B. “Take it at bedtime.”
C. “Take it in the morning on an empty stomach.”
D. “Take it with orange juice.”
Correct Answer: C. Take it in the morning on an empty stomach.
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is best on an empty stomach before food or
other medications.
9. The nurse is reviewing medication orders for a patient on gentamicin.
Which lab value requires immediate attention?
A. Potassium 4.0 mEq/L
B. Creatinine 2.5 mg/dL
, Updated for 2026-2027
C. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
D. Sodium 138 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B. Creatinine 2.5 mg/dL
Rationale: Elevated creatinine indicates renal impairment; gentamicin is
nephrotoxic and may need adjustment.
10. A patient prescribed prednisone asks about side effects. Which should the
nurse include in teaching?
A. Low blood sugar
B. Weight loss
C. Increased risk of infection
D. Excessive drowsiness
Correct Answer: C. Increased risk of infection
Rationale: Prednisone suppresses the immune system, increasing susceptibility to
infection.
11. Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for in a patient receiving
ACE inhibitors like lisinopril?
A. Cough
B. Constipation
C. Bradycardia
D. Dry eyes
Correct Answer: A. Cough
Rationale: ACE inhibitors may cause a persistent, dry cough due to bradykinin
buildup.
12. A patient receiving vancomycin IV reports itching and flushing. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Stop the infusion and assess
RELIAS RN PHARMACOLOGY TEST A 2025–2026 | REAL EXAM
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES |
COMPLETE STUDY BUNDLE (160 QS),100% CORRECT ALREADY
GRADED A+
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure.
Which assessment is most important before giving the medication?
A. Blood glucose level
B. Apical pulse rate
C. Respiratory rate
D. Blood pressure
Correct Answer: B. Apical pulse rate
Rationale: Digoxin slows the heart rate. If the apical pulse is below 60 bpm, the
medication should be withheld to prevent bradycardia.
2. A patient taking warfarin asks why regular blood tests are necessary. What
is the best response?
A. “They check your kidney function.”
B. “They measure your blood glucose.”
C. “They ensure your blood clotting level is safe.”
D. “They test for liver enzymes.”
Correct Answer: C. They ensure your blood clotting level is safe.
Rationale: Warfarin affects clotting; INR testing ensures the dose maintains safe
anticoagulation levels.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient prescribed furosemide. Which statement
shows understanding?
A. “I will increase my potassium-rich foods.”
B. “I will avoid salt substitutes.”
,Updated for 2026-2027
C. “I can stop taking it when my swelling decreases.”
D. “I’ll take it before bedtime.”
Correct Answer: A. I will increase my potassium-rich foods.
Rationale: Furosemide causes potassium loss; patients should increase dietary
potassium.
4. A nurse is administering insulin lispro. When should the nurse serve the
patient’s meal?
A. 30 minutes before injection
B. 15 minutes after injection
C. Immediately after injection
D. Immediately before injection
Correct Answer: D. Immediately before injection
Rationale: Lispro is rapid-acting; food should be available to prevent
hypoglycemia.
5. A patient receiving morphine develops respiratory depression. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Acetylcysteine
B. Naloxone
C. Flumazenil
D. Atropine
Correct Answer: B. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses respiratory depression
caused by opioids.
6. A patient taking lithium reports nausea and tremors. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Encourage fluids
B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
,Updated for 2026-2027
C. Give with food
D. Reassure the patient
Correct Answer: B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
Rationale: Nausea and tremors may indicate lithium toxicity; the medication
should be withheld until levels are checked.
7. Which instruction should the nurse give a patient prescribed nitroglycerin
sublingual tablets?
A. “Swallow the tablet with water.”
B. “Take one tablet every 15 minutes.”
C. “Store tablets in a cool, dark place.”
D. “Take the tablets with food.”
Correct Answer: C. Store tablets in a cool, dark place.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is light and heat-sensitive; proper storage maintains
potency.
8. A patient prescribed levothyroxine asks when to take it. Which instruction
is correct?
A. “Take it with your breakfast.”
B. “Take it at bedtime.”
C. “Take it in the morning on an empty stomach.”
D. “Take it with orange juice.”
Correct Answer: C. Take it in the morning on an empty stomach.
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is best on an empty stomach before food or
other medications.
9. The nurse is reviewing medication orders for a patient on gentamicin.
Which lab value requires immediate attention?
A. Potassium 4.0 mEq/L
B. Creatinine 2.5 mg/dL
, Updated for 2026-2027
C. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
D. Sodium 138 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B. Creatinine 2.5 mg/dL
Rationale: Elevated creatinine indicates renal impairment; gentamicin is
nephrotoxic and may need adjustment.
10. A patient prescribed prednisone asks about side effects. Which should the
nurse include in teaching?
A. Low blood sugar
B. Weight loss
C. Increased risk of infection
D. Excessive drowsiness
Correct Answer: C. Increased risk of infection
Rationale: Prednisone suppresses the immune system, increasing susceptibility to
infection.
11. Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for in a patient receiving
ACE inhibitors like lisinopril?
A. Cough
B. Constipation
C. Bradycardia
D. Dry eyes
Correct Answer: A. Cough
Rationale: ACE inhibitors may cause a persistent, dry cough due to bradykinin
buildup.
12. A patient receiving vancomycin IV reports itching and flushing. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Stop the infusion and assess
