LPN- Pharmacology Exam Questions with
Correct Answers
A 64 y/o pt is found unresponsive. After attaching a heart monitor, his EKG reveals
ventricular fibrillation. What drug should the nurse prepare to administer?
Epinephrine
Dobutamine
Dopamine
Atropine - ANSWER-Epinephrine
Drug used for v-fib, flutter, unstable tachycardia - ANSWER-Epinephrine
Drug used to increase cardiac output in heart failure - ANSWER-dobutamine
Drug used to maintain adequate blood pressure during shock and to maintain kidney
perfusion - ANSWER-dopamine
Drug used for symptomatic bradycardia - ANSWER-atropine
A pt taking prednisone for immunosupression after a kidney transplant wants to
know what lifestyle changes he needs to make. The nurse instructs him to eat a diet
low in what nutrient while taking prednisone?
Protein
Potassium
Calcium
Sodium - ANSWER-Sodium
Fluid retention, edema, hyperglycemia, osteoporosis, protein catabolism, and
hypokalemia are side effects of what type of drug? - ANSWER-corticosteroids
A pt has suffered from a traumatic brain injury and is scheduled to undergo surgery.
The physician requests that the pt be coma-induced. The nurse would expect to
administer which of the following meds for an induced coma of a neurosurgery pt?
Diazepam
Pentobarbital
Lorazepam
Propofol - ANSWER-pentobarital
An elderly man is prescribed morphine sulfate for acute pain management. The pt is
on bed rest and is NPO. Which of the following side effects is the nurse most
concerned about?
,Dizziness
Constipation
Hypertension
Nausea - ANSWER-constipation
A pt receiving triamterene is admitted to the hospital due to severe metabolic
imbalances. Which of the following abnormal findings would the nurse most expect
due to a side effect of this med?
Hypokalemia
Hyperkalemia
Hypocalcemia
Hypercalcemia - ANSWER-hyperkalemia
A pt prescribed furosemide 60 mg PO bid, is being instructed on admin and side
effects. The nurse should instruct the pt to eat which foods while taking furosemide?
(multiple answers)
Beans and bananas
Vanilla and bread
spinach and potatoes
Appleauce and rice
Tomatoes and squash
Dried apricots and raisins - ANSWER-beans, bananas, spinach, potatoes, tomatoes,
squash, dried apricots and raisins
A pt taking bisacodyl (dulcolax) asks the nurse how the medication works. The nurse
knows that bisocodyl:
Is bulk-producing
Is an osmotic laxative
Stimulates the myenteric plexus
Reduces stool surface tension - ANSWER-stimulates the myenteric plexus
A pt with type 2 diabetes has been prescribed glipizide, a sulfonylurea. Which
common side effect should the nurse include in the discharge instructions?
Weight gain
Liver failure
Ecchymosis
Jaundice - ANSWER-weight gain
A pt diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse was given Quinidine IV for an arrhythmia.
The nurse understands that the patient is experiencing a common adverse reaction
when:
The pt reports muscle weakness
The pt is having frequent watery diarrhea
The pt complains of back pain
, The pt reports ringing in the ears - ANSWER-The pt is having frequent watery
diarrhea
A pt is prescribed gentamicin ophthalmic drops for the treatment of conjunctivitis.
Which of the following statements indicates to the nurse that the pt requires
additional instruction?
"I should never touch the tip of the applicator to my eye"
"I should contact the physician if the eye drops cause burning or itching"
"I should avoid sharing the drops with my spouse"
"I should wash my hands before and after admin" - ANSWER-I should contact the
physician if the eye drops cause burning or itching
A pt has been diagnosed with Klinefelter Syndrome. The nurse, understanding the
effects of this disorder, would expect the physician to prescribe:
Desogestral/Ethinyl estradoil
Spironolactone
Finasteride
Testosterone topical - ANSWER-testosterone topical
A pt with hypertension is being treated with clonidine, 0.1 mg PO twice a day. The
nurse understands that this med is lipid-soluble so it can cause vasodilation by
acting on:
Alpha-2 receptors in the brain
Beta-2 receptors in the brain
Beta-2 receptors in the blood vessels
Alpha-1 receptors in the blood vessels - ANSWER-alpha-2 receptors in the brain
The nurse is assessing a pt receiving epidural analgesia after a total knee
replacement. Which of the following nursing assessments is the priority?
Assessing the epidural site every 12 hrs
Assessing peripheral pulses
Assessing the pt's legs for sensation
Keeping the patient on flat bed rest - ANSWER-assessing the pt's legs for sensation
A pt is prescribed levodopa for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The nurse
should assess the pt for which side effect?(multiple)
Dizziness
Diarrhea
Excessive secretions
Hypertension
Psychosis - ANSWER-dizziness, psychosis
Psychosis, nausea, dizziness, postural hypotension, constipation, and dry mouth are
side effects of what type of medication? - ANSWER-dopaminergic
Correct Answers
A 64 y/o pt is found unresponsive. After attaching a heart monitor, his EKG reveals
ventricular fibrillation. What drug should the nurse prepare to administer?
Epinephrine
Dobutamine
Dopamine
Atropine - ANSWER-Epinephrine
Drug used for v-fib, flutter, unstable tachycardia - ANSWER-Epinephrine
Drug used to increase cardiac output in heart failure - ANSWER-dobutamine
Drug used to maintain adequate blood pressure during shock and to maintain kidney
perfusion - ANSWER-dopamine
Drug used for symptomatic bradycardia - ANSWER-atropine
A pt taking prednisone for immunosupression after a kidney transplant wants to
know what lifestyle changes he needs to make. The nurse instructs him to eat a diet
low in what nutrient while taking prednisone?
Protein
Potassium
Calcium
Sodium - ANSWER-Sodium
Fluid retention, edema, hyperglycemia, osteoporosis, protein catabolism, and
hypokalemia are side effects of what type of drug? - ANSWER-corticosteroids
A pt has suffered from a traumatic brain injury and is scheduled to undergo surgery.
The physician requests that the pt be coma-induced. The nurse would expect to
administer which of the following meds for an induced coma of a neurosurgery pt?
Diazepam
Pentobarbital
Lorazepam
Propofol - ANSWER-pentobarital
An elderly man is prescribed morphine sulfate for acute pain management. The pt is
on bed rest and is NPO. Which of the following side effects is the nurse most
concerned about?
,Dizziness
Constipation
Hypertension
Nausea - ANSWER-constipation
A pt receiving triamterene is admitted to the hospital due to severe metabolic
imbalances. Which of the following abnormal findings would the nurse most expect
due to a side effect of this med?
Hypokalemia
Hyperkalemia
Hypocalcemia
Hypercalcemia - ANSWER-hyperkalemia
A pt prescribed furosemide 60 mg PO bid, is being instructed on admin and side
effects. The nurse should instruct the pt to eat which foods while taking furosemide?
(multiple answers)
Beans and bananas
Vanilla and bread
spinach and potatoes
Appleauce and rice
Tomatoes and squash
Dried apricots and raisins - ANSWER-beans, bananas, spinach, potatoes, tomatoes,
squash, dried apricots and raisins
A pt taking bisacodyl (dulcolax) asks the nurse how the medication works. The nurse
knows that bisocodyl:
Is bulk-producing
Is an osmotic laxative
Stimulates the myenteric plexus
Reduces stool surface tension - ANSWER-stimulates the myenteric plexus
A pt with type 2 diabetes has been prescribed glipizide, a sulfonylurea. Which
common side effect should the nurse include in the discharge instructions?
Weight gain
Liver failure
Ecchymosis
Jaundice - ANSWER-weight gain
A pt diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse was given Quinidine IV for an arrhythmia.
The nurse understands that the patient is experiencing a common adverse reaction
when:
The pt reports muscle weakness
The pt is having frequent watery diarrhea
The pt complains of back pain
, The pt reports ringing in the ears - ANSWER-The pt is having frequent watery
diarrhea
A pt is prescribed gentamicin ophthalmic drops for the treatment of conjunctivitis.
Which of the following statements indicates to the nurse that the pt requires
additional instruction?
"I should never touch the tip of the applicator to my eye"
"I should contact the physician if the eye drops cause burning or itching"
"I should avoid sharing the drops with my spouse"
"I should wash my hands before and after admin" - ANSWER-I should contact the
physician if the eye drops cause burning or itching
A pt has been diagnosed with Klinefelter Syndrome. The nurse, understanding the
effects of this disorder, would expect the physician to prescribe:
Desogestral/Ethinyl estradoil
Spironolactone
Finasteride
Testosterone topical - ANSWER-testosterone topical
A pt with hypertension is being treated with clonidine, 0.1 mg PO twice a day. The
nurse understands that this med is lipid-soluble so it can cause vasodilation by
acting on:
Alpha-2 receptors in the brain
Beta-2 receptors in the brain
Beta-2 receptors in the blood vessels
Alpha-1 receptors in the blood vessels - ANSWER-alpha-2 receptors in the brain
The nurse is assessing a pt receiving epidural analgesia after a total knee
replacement. Which of the following nursing assessments is the priority?
Assessing the epidural site every 12 hrs
Assessing peripheral pulses
Assessing the pt's legs for sensation
Keeping the patient on flat bed rest - ANSWER-assessing the pt's legs for sensation
A pt is prescribed levodopa for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The nurse
should assess the pt for which side effect?(multiple)
Dizziness
Diarrhea
Excessive secretions
Hypertension
Psychosis - ANSWER-dizziness, psychosis
Psychosis, nausea, dizziness, postural hypotension, constipation, and dry mouth are
side effects of what type of medication? - ANSWER-dopaminergic
