BASIC PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSES
EIGHTEENTH EDITION COMPREHENSIVE
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 CERTIFICATION
EVALUATION DRUG THERAPY PRACTICE
BANK
◉ What will the nurse expect the healthcare provider's order to be
when starting an older adult patient on thyroid hormone
replacement therapy?
a. Administering a loading dose of the drug
b. Directions on how to taper the drug
c. A dosage that is one-third to one-half of the regular dosage
d. A dosage that is double the regular dosage
Answer: c. A dosage that is one-third to one-half of the regular
dosage
◉ Which drugs cause birth defects?
a. Teratogens
b. Carcinogens
c. Metabolites
d. Placebos
,Answer: a. Teratogens
◉ Which life-threatening illness may occur as a result of aspirin
(salicylate) administration during viral illness to patients younger
than 20 years of age?
a. Anaphylactic shock
b. Reye's syndrome
c. Chickenpox
d. Influenza A
Answer: b. Reye's syndrome
◉ Which classification of medications commonly causes allergic
reactions in children?
a. Antacids
b. Analgesics
c. Antibiotics
d. Anticonvulsants
Answer: c. Antibiotics
◉ After giving instructions to an expectant mother about taking
medications during pregnancy, which patient statement indicates
the need for further teaching?
a. "I will not take herbal medicines during pregnancy."
,b. "For morning sickness, I will try crackers instead of taking a drug."
c. "If I get a cold, I will avoid taking nonprescription medications
until I check with my physician."
d. "I will limit my alcohol intake to only one glass of wine weekly."
Answer: d. "I will limit my alcohol intake to only one glass of wine
weekly."
◉ When is the ideal time for a nursing mother to take her own
medications?
a. Before the infant latches on to begin to breastfeed.
b. As soon as the mother wakes up in the morning.
c. Right before the mother goes to sleep at night.
d. As soon as the infant finishes breastfeeding.
Answer: d. As soon as the infant finishes breastfeeding.
◉ Which age-related change would affect transdermal drug
absorption in geriatric patients the most?
a. Difficulty swallowing
b. Diminished kidney function
c. Changes in pigmentation
d. Altered circulatory status
Answer: d. Altered circulatory status
, ◉ Which intervention would be considered to reduce accumulation
of a drug in a patient who has decreased liver function?
a. Decreasing the time interval between dosages
b. Reducing the dosage
c. Administering the medication intravenously
d. Changing the drug to one that has a longer half-life
Answer: b. Reducing the dosage
◉ The nurse is teaching an elderly patient with difficulty swallowing
about his medications. Which explanation by the nurse is most
helpful?
a. "Enteric coated tablets can be crushed and taken with
applesauce."
b. "Tablets that are scored can be broken in half."
c. "Medications labeled 'SR' can be crushed."
d. "Avoid taking medications in liquid form."
Answer: b. "Tablets that are scored can be broken in half."
◉ The nurse is administering an antibiotic intravenously. Which
blood level determines the lowest amount of medication present in
the patient?
a. Peak
b. Serum
EIGHTEENTH EDITION COMPREHENSIVE
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 CERTIFICATION
EVALUATION DRUG THERAPY PRACTICE
BANK
◉ What will the nurse expect the healthcare provider's order to be
when starting an older adult patient on thyroid hormone
replacement therapy?
a. Administering a loading dose of the drug
b. Directions on how to taper the drug
c. A dosage that is one-third to one-half of the regular dosage
d. A dosage that is double the regular dosage
Answer: c. A dosage that is one-third to one-half of the regular
dosage
◉ Which drugs cause birth defects?
a. Teratogens
b. Carcinogens
c. Metabolites
d. Placebos
,Answer: a. Teratogens
◉ Which life-threatening illness may occur as a result of aspirin
(salicylate) administration during viral illness to patients younger
than 20 years of age?
a. Anaphylactic shock
b. Reye's syndrome
c. Chickenpox
d. Influenza A
Answer: b. Reye's syndrome
◉ Which classification of medications commonly causes allergic
reactions in children?
a. Antacids
b. Analgesics
c. Antibiotics
d. Anticonvulsants
Answer: c. Antibiotics
◉ After giving instructions to an expectant mother about taking
medications during pregnancy, which patient statement indicates
the need for further teaching?
a. "I will not take herbal medicines during pregnancy."
,b. "For morning sickness, I will try crackers instead of taking a drug."
c. "If I get a cold, I will avoid taking nonprescription medications
until I check with my physician."
d. "I will limit my alcohol intake to only one glass of wine weekly."
Answer: d. "I will limit my alcohol intake to only one glass of wine
weekly."
◉ When is the ideal time for a nursing mother to take her own
medications?
a. Before the infant latches on to begin to breastfeed.
b. As soon as the mother wakes up in the morning.
c. Right before the mother goes to sleep at night.
d. As soon as the infant finishes breastfeeding.
Answer: d. As soon as the infant finishes breastfeeding.
◉ Which age-related change would affect transdermal drug
absorption in geriatric patients the most?
a. Difficulty swallowing
b. Diminished kidney function
c. Changes in pigmentation
d. Altered circulatory status
Answer: d. Altered circulatory status
, ◉ Which intervention would be considered to reduce accumulation
of a drug in a patient who has decreased liver function?
a. Decreasing the time interval between dosages
b. Reducing the dosage
c. Administering the medication intravenously
d. Changing the drug to one that has a longer half-life
Answer: b. Reducing the dosage
◉ The nurse is teaching an elderly patient with difficulty swallowing
about his medications. Which explanation by the nurse is most
helpful?
a. "Enteric coated tablets can be crushed and taken with
applesauce."
b. "Tablets that are scored can be broken in half."
c. "Medications labeled 'SR' can be crushed."
d. "Avoid taking medications in liquid form."
Answer: b. "Tablets that are scored can be broken in half."
◉ The nurse is administering an antibiotic intravenously. Which
blood level determines the lowest amount of medication present in
the patient?
a. Peak
b. Serum
