PHARM MSN571 EXAM TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
A patient diagnosed with chronic pain calls to request an oxycodone (Oxycontin) refill. Which action
should the prescriber take initially? - (ANSWER)Arrange to schedule an appointment with the patient.
A metered-dose albuterol inhaler is prescribed for asthma management. The patient reports feeling
jittery sometimes when taking the medication, and does not feel that the medication is always effective.
Which action will the provider take to best minimize patient risks and maximize medication
effectiveness? - (ANSWER)Auscultate the patient's lung sounds and obtain other relevant vital signs.
A patient is prescribed metronidazole for bacterial vaginosis. Which patient history finding would be
most concerning to the provider? - (ANSWER)The patient drinks two glasses of wine every night.
The provider prepares a patient with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes for hospital discharge. Which
action by the provider will best support the patient's ability to effectively manage medication therapy? -
(ANSWER)Asking the patient to demonstrate how to measure and administer insulin
A patient reports that a medication prescribed for recurrent migraine headaches is not working. Which
action is the prescriber's priority when addressing the patient's concern? - (ANSWER)Ask the patient
about the number and frequency of tablets taken.
The drug manual states that older adult patients are at increased risk for hepatotoxicity. Which action is
most important when prescribing this medication to an 80-year-old patient? - (ANSWER)Obtaining
baseline liver function studies
A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed daily lithium. Which action is most important for the
provider to take in order to determine if the therapeutic level is maintained? - (ANSWER)Order periodic
laboratory testing.
Which factor best supports an increase for full prescriptive authority for both advanced practice
registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs)? - (ANSWER)More patients will have access to
health care.
,PHARM MSN571 EXAM TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
A pediatric patient prescribed ampicillin for streptococcal pharyngitis reports new onset of a pruritic,
dull red, maculopapular rash on the chest and neck. Which action is most important for the provider to
take to minimize this patient's risk for injury? - (ANSWER)Discontinue the ampicillin.
Which prescriber action will have the greatest impact on the patient's commitment to adherence to any
type of medication therapy? - (ANSWER)Providing medication education that the patient can easily
understand
Which patient statement suggests to the provider that the patient's nonadherence with their
medication plan is related to dissatisfaction with the therapy? - (ANSWER)"I've been taking this
medication for well over a week and I lost only a half a pound."
How can the prescriber's regular collaboration with a pharmacist improve positive outcomes for
patients? - (ANSWER)Pharmacists have additional information on drug interactions. The pharmacist can
suggest adequate medication dosing. Pharmacists have firsthand knowledge of the facility formulary.
Which statements made by the prescriber demonstrate an understanding of effective medication
education? - (ANSWER)"This medication needs to be stored in the refrigerator. "Take 3 tablets daily: 1
with breakfast, 1 with lunch, and one with dinner." "You need to take the medication as we discussed
until all the tablets are gone." "Call the office immediately if you begin experiencing any itching,
headache, or difficulty breathing."
The patient who has been prescribed lithium for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder asks why blood tests are
required on a regular basis. Which provider responses demonstrate an understanding of why the patient
requires a variety of laboratory tests? - (ANSWER)"We need to monitor how your thyroid is functioning."
"We need to monitor kidney function while you are on this drug. This medication can cause you to lose
sodium, so we need to measure sodium levels."
When prescribing lovastatin, what will a provider advise to decrease the risk of developing muscle
toxicity? - (ANSWER)Substitute grapefruit juice with orange juice
When prescribing drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, what intervention does the provider take to
decrease risk to the patient? - (ANSWER)Monitor the patient's plasma drug levels at regular intervals.
, PHARM MSN571 EXAM TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
A patient reports that a medication no longer effectively alleviates symptoms. What process informs the
provider's response to the patient's concerns? - (ANSWER)Desensitization of receptor sites results from
continual exposure to the drug.
A patient reports that Brand X tablets work faster than Brand Y tablets of the same amount of the same
drug. Which statement informs the prescriber's response when explaining this phenomenon to the
patient? - (ANSWER)Inactive ingredients used in composition can result in differing rates of dissolution,
which can alter the drug's onset of action.
A patient receiving intravenous gentamicin has a toxic serum drug level. The prescriber confirms that
the dosing is correct. Which possible cause of this situation will the provider explore? -
(ANSWER)Whether patient is taking a medication that binds to serum albumin.
A patient takes a drug that is metabolized by CYP3A4 isoenzymes. If a CYP3A4 inducing drug is
prescribed, what drug adjustment may be necessary to maintain a therapeutic level of CYP3A4
substrate? - (ANSWER)Increase dosage of the CYP3A4 substrate
The provider prescribes hydrocodone with acetaminophen for a patient's postsurgical pain. What
instruction will the prescriber include regarding alcohol intake? - (ANSWER)"You should avoid drinking
alcohol while you are taking the pain medication I've ordered."
Which order for furosemide is written appropriately by the prescriber? - (ANSWER)Furosemide [Lasix]
20 mg PO daily
A drug can cause symptoms that resemble those of Parkinson disease. What action should the
prescriber take to minimize the potential patient risk? - (ANSWER)Thoroughly educate the patient about
recognizing such symptoms and the need to notify the office immediately.
A patient who has been taking sertraline for depression was prescribed azithromycin to treat an
infection by a provider at an after-hours clinic. What action will the primary care provider take to
address the risk this combination of medication has posed for the patient? - (ANSWER)Discontinue the
azithromycin and write an order for an alternative antibiotic.
A patient diagnosed with chronic pain calls to request an oxycodone (Oxycontin) refill. Which action
should the prescriber take initially? - (ANSWER)Arrange to schedule an appointment with the patient.
A metered-dose albuterol inhaler is prescribed for asthma management. The patient reports feeling
jittery sometimes when taking the medication, and does not feel that the medication is always effective.
Which action will the provider take to best minimize patient risks and maximize medication
effectiveness? - (ANSWER)Auscultate the patient's lung sounds and obtain other relevant vital signs.
A patient is prescribed metronidazole for bacterial vaginosis. Which patient history finding would be
most concerning to the provider? - (ANSWER)The patient drinks two glasses of wine every night.
The provider prepares a patient with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes for hospital discharge. Which
action by the provider will best support the patient's ability to effectively manage medication therapy? -
(ANSWER)Asking the patient to demonstrate how to measure and administer insulin
A patient reports that a medication prescribed for recurrent migraine headaches is not working. Which
action is the prescriber's priority when addressing the patient's concern? - (ANSWER)Ask the patient
about the number and frequency of tablets taken.
The drug manual states that older adult patients are at increased risk for hepatotoxicity. Which action is
most important when prescribing this medication to an 80-year-old patient? - (ANSWER)Obtaining
baseline liver function studies
A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed daily lithium. Which action is most important for the
provider to take in order to determine if the therapeutic level is maintained? - (ANSWER)Order periodic
laboratory testing.
Which factor best supports an increase for full prescriptive authority for both advanced practice
registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs)? - (ANSWER)More patients will have access to
health care.
,PHARM MSN571 EXAM TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
A pediatric patient prescribed ampicillin for streptococcal pharyngitis reports new onset of a pruritic,
dull red, maculopapular rash on the chest and neck. Which action is most important for the provider to
take to minimize this patient's risk for injury? - (ANSWER)Discontinue the ampicillin.
Which prescriber action will have the greatest impact on the patient's commitment to adherence to any
type of medication therapy? - (ANSWER)Providing medication education that the patient can easily
understand
Which patient statement suggests to the provider that the patient's nonadherence with their
medication plan is related to dissatisfaction with the therapy? - (ANSWER)"I've been taking this
medication for well over a week and I lost only a half a pound."
How can the prescriber's regular collaboration with a pharmacist improve positive outcomes for
patients? - (ANSWER)Pharmacists have additional information on drug interactions. The pharmacist can
suggest adequate medication dosing. Pharmacists have firsthand knowledge of the facility formulary.
Which statements made by the prescriber demonstrate an understanding of effective medication
education? - (ANSWER)"This medication needs to be stored in the refrigerator. "Take 3 tablets daily: 1
with breakfast, 1 with lunch, and one with dinner." "You need to take the medication as we discussed
until all the tablets are gone." "Call the office immediately if you begin experiencing any itching,
headache, or difficulty breathing."
The patient who has been prescribed lithium for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder asks why blood tests are
required on a regular basis. Which provider responses demonstrate an understanding of why the patient
requires a variety of laboratory tests? - (ANSWER)"We need to monitor how your thyroid is functioning."
"We need to monitor kidney function while you are on this drug. This medication can cause you to lose
sodium, so we need to measure sodium levels."
When prescribing lovastatin, what will a provider advise to decrease the risk of developing muscle
toxicity? - (ANSWER)Substitute grapefruit juice with orange juice
When prescribing drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, what intervention does the provider take to
decrease risk to the patient? - (ANSWER)Monitor the patient's plasma drug levels at regular intervals.
, PHARM MSN571 EXAM TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
A patient reports that a medication no longer effectively alleviates symptoms. What process informs the
provider's response to the patient's concerns? - (ANSWER)Desensitization of receptor sites results from
continual exposure to the drug.
A patient reports that Brand X tablets work faster than Brand Y tablets of the same amount of the same
drug. Which statement informs the prescriber's response when explaining this phenomenon to the
patient? - (ANSWER)Inactive ingredients used in composition can result in differing rates of dissolution,
which can alter the drug's onset of action.
A patient receiving intravenous gentamicin has a toxic serum drug level. The prescriber confirms that
the dosing is correct. Which possible cause of this situation will the provider explore? -
(ANSWER)Whether patient is taking a medication that binds to serum albumin.
A patient takes a drug that is metabolized by CYP3A4 isoenzymes. If a CYP3A4 inducing drug is
prescribed, what drug adjustment may be necessary to maintain a therapeutic level of CYP3A4
substrate? - (ANSWER)Increase dosage of the CYP3A4 substrate
The provider prescribes hydrocodone with acetaminophen for a patient's postsurgical pain. What
instruction will the prescriber include regarding alcohol intake? - (ANSWER)"You should avoid drinking
alcohol while you are taking the pain medication I've ordered."
Which order for furosemide is written appropriately by the prescriber? - (ANSWER)Furosemide [Lasix]
20 mg PO daily
A drug can cause symptoms that resemble those of Parkinson disease. What action should the
prescriber take to minimize the potential patient risk? - (ANSWER)Thoroughly educate the patient about
recognizing such symptoms and the need to notify the office immediately.
A patient who has been taking sertraline for depression was prescribed azithromycin to treat an
infection by a provider at an after-hours clinic. What action will the primary care provider take to
address the risk this combination of medication has posed for the patient? - (ANSWER)Discontinue the
azithromycin and write an order for an alternative antibiotic.
