Chapter 01: The Nursing Process and Drug Therapy Lilley:
Pharmacology and the Nursing Process, 10th Edition
1. The nurse is performing an assessment of a newly admitted patient. Which is an
example of subjective data?
A. Weight 155 pounds
B. Pulse 72 beats/minute
C. The patient reports that he uses the herbal product ginkgo
D. The patient’s complete blood count results
Answer: C
Explanation: Subjective data are information reported by the patient, such as the use of herbal
products. Objective data are measurable or observable facts, such as weight, pulse, and
laboratory results.
2. The patient is to receive oral guaifenesin twice a day. Today, the nurse was busy
and gave the medication 2 hours after the scheduled dose was due. What type of
problem does this represent?
A. “Right time”
B. “Right dose”
C. “Right route”
D. “Right medication”
Answer: A
Explanation: Administering a medication more than 30 minutes after its scheduled time
violates the “right time” principle of safe medication administration. The dose, route, and
medication itself were not incorrect in this scenario.
3. The nurse is developing a human needs statement for a patient who has a new
diagnosis of heart failure. Identification of human needs statements occur with
which of these activities?
A. Collection of patient data
B. Administering interventions
C. Deciding on patient outcomes
D. Documenting the patient‘s behavior
Answer: A
,Explanation: Identification of human needs occurs during the assessment phase of the nursing
process, which involves the collection of patient data. Administering interventions, deciding
on outcomes, and documenting behavior are part of other phases.
4. Which activity best reflects the implementation phase of the nursing process for
the patient who is newly diagnosed with hypertension?
A. Providing education on keeping a journal of blood pressure readings
B. Setting goals and outcome criteria with the patient’s input
C. Recording a drug history regarding over-the-counter medications used at home
D. Formulating human needs statements regarding deficient knowledge related to the
new treatment regimen
Answer: A
Explanation: The implementation phase involves carrying out planned nursing interventions,
such as patient education. Setting goals and formulating human needs statements are part of
planning, while recording a drug history is part of assessment.
5. When the nurse considers the timing of a drug dose, which factor is appropriate
to consider when deciding when to give a drug?
A. The patient’s ability to swallow
B. The patient’s height
C. The patient’s last meal
D. The patient’s allergies
Answer: C
Explanation: The timing of the last meal can affect drug absorption and effectiveness for
certain medications, making it a relevant factor. Ability to swallow, height, and allergies are
important for other aspects of medication administration but not specifically for timing.
6. The nurse has been monitoring the patient‘s progress on a new drug regimen
since the first dose and documenting the patient‘s therapeutic response to the
medication. Which phase of the nursing process do these actions illustrate?
A. Human needs statement
B. Planning
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Answer: D
, Explanation: Monitoring the patient’s progress and therapeutic response to a medication is
part of the evaluation phase of the nursing process, where the effectiveness of interventions is
assessed.
7. The nurse is assigned to a patient who is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
mellitus. Which statement best illustrates an outcome criterion for this patient?
A. The patient will follow instructions.
B. The patient will not experience complications.
C. The patient will adhere to the new insulin treatment regimen.
D. The patient will demonstrate correct blood glucose testing technique.
Answer: D
Explanation: An outcome criterion must be specific and measurable. Demonstrating correct
blood glucose testing technique is a clear, observable, and measurable behavior, unlike the
other options which are vague or difficult to measure directly.
8. The medication order reads, “Give ondansetron 4 mg, 30 minutes before
beginning chemotherapy to prevent nausea.” The nurse notes that the route is
missing from the order. What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Give the medication intravenously because the patient might vomit.
B. Give the medication orally because the tablets are available in 4-mg doses.
C. Contact the prescriber to clarify the route of the medication ordered.
D. Hold the medication until the prescriber returns to make rounds.
Answer: C
Explanation: A complete medication order must include the route of administration. If it is
missing, the nurse must contact the prescriber for clarification to ensure patient safety and
correct administration.
9. When giving medications, the nurse will follow the rights of medication
administration. The rights include the right documentation, the right reason, the
right response, and the patient’s right to refuse. Which of these are additional
rights? (Select all that apply.)
A. Right drug
B. Right route
C. Right dose
D. Right diagnosis
E. Right time
F. Right patient
Answer: A, B, C, E, F
Pharmacology and the Nursing Process, 10th Edition
1. The nurse is performing an assessment of a newly admitted patient. Which is an
example of subjective data?
A. Weight 155 pounds
B. Pulse 72 beats/minute
C. The patient reports that he uses the herbal product ginkgo
D. The patient’s complete blood count results
Answer: C
Explanation: Subjective data are information reported by the patient, such as the use of herbal
products. Objective data are measurable or observable facts, such as weight, pulse, and
laboratory results.
2. The patient is to receive oral guaifenesin twice a day. Today, the nurse was busy
and gave the medication 2 hours after the scheduled dose was due. What type of
problem does this represent?
A. “Right time”
B. “Right dose”
C. “Right route”
D. “Right medication”
Answer: A
Explanation: Administering a medication more than 30 minutes after its scheduled time
violates the “right time” principle of safe medication administration. The dose, route, and
medication itself were not incorrect in this scenario.
3. The nurse is developing a human needs statement for a patient who has a new
diagnosis of heart failure. Identification of human needs statements occur with
which of these activities?
A. Collection of patient data
B. Administering interventions
C. Deciding on patient outcomes
D. Documenting the patient‘s behavior
Answer: A
,Explanation: Identification of human needs occurs during the assessment phase of the nursing
process, which involves the collection of patient data. Administering interventions, deciding
on outcomes, and documenting behavior are part of other phases.
4. Which activity best reflects the implementation phase of the nursing process for
the patient who is newly diagnosed with hypertension?
A. Providing education on keeping a journal of blood pressure readings
B. Setting goals and outcome criteria with the patient’s input
C. Recording a drug history regarding over-the-counter medications used at home
D. Formulating human needs statements regarding deficient knowledge related to the
new treatment regimen
Answer: A
Explanation: The implementation phase involves carrying out planned nursing interventions,
such as patient education. Setting goals and formulating human needs statements are part of
planning, while recording a drug history is part of assessment.
5. When the nurse considers the timing of a drug dose, which factor is appropriate
to consider when deciding when to give a drug?
A. The patient’s ability to swallow
B. The patient’s height
C. The patient’s last meal
D. The patient’s allergies
Answer: C
Explanation: The timing of the last meal can affect drug absorption and effectiveness for
certain medications, making it a relevant factor. Ability to swallow, height, and allergies are
important for other aspects of medication administration but not specifically for timing.
6. The nurse has been monitoring the patient‘s progress on a new drug regimen
since the first dose and documenting the patient‘s therapeutic response to the
medication. Which phase of the nursing process do these actions illustrate?
A. Human needs statement
B. Planning
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Answer: D
, Explanation: Monitoring the patient’s progress and therapeutic response to a medication is
part of the evaluation phase of the nursing process, where the effectiveness of interventions is
assessed.
7. The nurse is assigned to a patient who is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
mellitus. Which statement best illustrates an outcome criterion for this patient?
A. The patient will follow instructions.
B. The patient will not experience complications.
C. The patient will adhere to the new insulin treatment regimen.
D. The patient will demonstrate correct blood glucose testing technique.
Answer: D
Explanation: An outcome criterion must be specific and measurable. Demonstrating correct
blood glucose testing technique is a clear, observable, and measurable behavior, unlike the
other options which are vague or difficult to measure directly.
8. The medication order reads, “Give ondansetron 4 mg, 30 minutes before
beginning chemotherapy to prevent nausea.” The nurse notes that the route is
missing from the order. What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Give the medication intravenously because the patient might vomit.
B. Give the medication orally because the tablets are available in 4-mg doses.
C. Contact the prescriber to clarify the route of the medication ordered.
D. Hold the medication until the prescriber returns to make rounds.
Answer: C
Explanation: A complete medication order must include the route of administration. If it is
missing, the nurse must contact the prescriber for clarification to ensure patient safety and
correct administration.
9. When giving medications, the nurse will follow the rights of medication
administration. The rights include the right documentation, the right reason, the
right response, and the patient’s right to refuse. Which of these are additional
rights? (Select all that apply.)
A. Right drug
B. Right route
C. Right dose
D. Right diagnosis
E. Right time
F. Right patient
Answer: A, B, C, E, F
