RELIAS RN PHARMACOLOGY TEST A ACTUAL EXAM LATEST
/PHARMACOLOGY RELIAS TEST A REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which of the
"Rights of Medication Administration" focuses on verifying the client's
identity using at least two identifiers?
A) Right Drug
B) Right Dose
C) Right Client
D) Right Route
E) Right Time
Correct Answer: C) Right Client
Rationale: The Right Client ensures that the medication is given to
the correct individual by using methods such as checking the client's
name and date of birth against the medication administration record
(MAR) and their identification band.
2. Which pharmacological term describes how the drug affects the body?
A) Pharmacokinetics
B) Pharmacodynamics
C) Biotransformation
D) Bioavailability
E) Half-life
Correct Answer: B) Pharmacodynamics
Rationale: Pharmacodynamics is the study of the biochemical and
physiological effects of drugs on the body, including their mechanism
of action and the relationship between drug concentration and effect.
3. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which electrolyte
imbalance would increase the client's risk for digoxin toxicity?
A) Hypernatremia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypercalcemia
D) Hypomagnesemia
E) Hyperkalemia
Correct Answer: B) Hypokalemia
Rationale: Hypokalemia significantly increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity because potassium and digoxin compete for binding sites on
the cardiac cell membrane. When potassium levels are low, more
digoxin can bind, leading to enhanced effects and toxicity.
4. The nurse is educating a client about a new prescription for an oral iron
supplement. Which instruction is most appropriate to maximize
, absorption?
A) Take the iron with milk or antacids.
B) Take the iron on an empty stomach with a source of Vitamin C.
C) Take the iron at bedtime to minimize stomach upset.
D) Take the iron only when feeling fatigued.
E) Expect light-colored stools as a sign of effectiveness.
Correct Answer: B) Take the iron on an empty stomach with a source
of Vitamin C.
Rationale: Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach, and its
absorption is significantly enhanced by vitamin C (ascorbic acid), such
as found in orange juice. Taking it with milk or antacids can decrease
absorption.
5. Which adverse effect is a primary concern for a client taking a loop
diuretic such as furosemide?
A) Hyperglycemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Constipation
E) Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B) Hypokalemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics work by inhibiting sodium and chloride
reabsorption in the loop of Henle, which leads to increased excretion of
not only sodium and water but also potassium, thus posing a
significant risk for hypokalemia.
6. A client is prescribed metronidazole (Flagyl). The nurse should advise
the client to avoid concurrent use of:
A) Dairy products
B) Citrus fruits
C) Alcoholic beverages
D) Caffeine
E) Antacids
Correct Answer: C) Alcoholic beverages
Rationale: Metronidazole can cause a severe disulfiram-like reaction
(nausea, vomiting, flushing, headache, abdominal cramps) if consumed
with alcohol. Clients must avoid alcohol during and for at least 3 days
after treatment.
7. What is the primary action of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) like
omeprazole?
, A) Neutralizes existing stomach acid.
B) Forms a protective barrier over ulcers.
C) Inhibits the production of stomach acid.
D) Promotes gastric emptying.
E) Blocks histamine receptors in the stomach.
Correct Answer: C) Inhibits the production of stomach acid.
Rationale: PPIs irreversibly bind to and inhibit the hydrogen-
potassium ATPase pump (proton pump) in the parietal cells of the
stomach, effectively blocking the final step of acid production.
8. A client with asthma is prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid (e.g.,
fluticasone). What is a key instruction the nurse should provide?
A) Use this inhaler for immediate relief of acute asthma attacks.
B) Rinse the mouth thoroughly after each use.
C) Expect the full therapeutic effect within minutes.
D) Discontinue use once symptoms improve to avoid dependence.
E) This medication will cause significant bronchodilation.
Correct Answer: B) Rinse the mouth thoroughly after each use.
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids can cause oral candidiasis (thrush).
Rinsing the mouth with water after each use helps to prevent this
fungal infection. These medications are for long-term control, not acute
relief, and do not cause significant bronchodilation.
9. Which medication is the antidote for opioid overdose?
A) Flumazenil
B) Naloxone
C) N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
D) Protamine sulfate
E) Atropine
Correct Answer: B) Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses the
central nervous system and respiratory depression caused by opioid
overdose.
10. A client is taking warfarin. Which laboratory test is most
important to monitor to assess its therapeutic effect?
A) Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
B) International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C) Platelet count
D) D-dimer
E) Bleeding time
/PHARMACOLOGY RELIAS TEST A REAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS|ALREADY GRADED A+
1. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which of the
"Rights of Medication Administration" focuses on verifying the client's
identity using at least two identifiers?
A) Right Drug
B) Right Dose
C) Right Client
D) Right Route
E) Right Time
Correct Answer: C) Right Client
Rationale: The Right Client ensures that the medication is given to
the correct individual by using methods such as checking the client's
name and date of birth against the medication administration record
(MAR) and their identification band.
2. Which pharmacological term describes how the drug affects the body?
A) Pharmacokinetics
B) Pharmacodynamics
C) Biotransformation
D) Bioavailability
E) Half-life
Correct Answer: B) Pharmacodynamics
Rationale: Pharmacodynamics is the study of the biochemical and
physiological effects of drugs on the body, including their mechanism
of action and the relationship between drug concentration and effect.
3. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which electrolyte
imbalance would increase the client's risk for digoxin toxicity?
A) Hypernatremia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypercalcemia
D) Hypomagnesemia
E) Hyperkalemia
Correct Answer: B) Hypokalemia
Rationale: Hypokalemia significantly increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity because potassium and digoxin compete for binding sites on
the cardiac cell membrane. When potassium levels are low, more
digoxin can bind, leading to enhanced effects and toxicity.
4. The nurse is educating a client about a new prescription for an oral iron
supplement. Which instruction is most appropriate to maximize
, absorption?
A) Take the iron with milk or antacids.
B) Take the iron on an empty stomach with a source of Vitamin C.
C) Take the iron at bedtime to minimize stomach upset.
D) Take the iron only when feeling fatigued.
E) Expect light-colored stools as a sign of effectiveness.
Correct Answer: B) Take the iron on an empty stomach with a source
of Vitamin C.
Rationale: Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach, and its
absorption is significantly enhanced by vitamin C (ascorbic acid), such
as found in orange juice. Taking it with milk or antacids can decrease
absorption.
5. Which adverse effect is a primary concern for a client taking a loop
diuretic such as furosemide?
A) Hyperglycemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Constipation
E) Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B) Hypokalemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics work by inhibiting sodium and chloride
reabsorption in the loop of Henle, which leads to increased excretion of
not only sodium and water but also potassium, thus posing a
significant risk for hypokalemia.
6. A client is prescribed metronidazole (Flagyl). The nurse should advise
the client to avoid concurrent use of:
A) Dairy products
B) Citrus fruits
C) Alcoholic beverages
D) Caffeine
E) Antacids
Correct Answer: C) Alcoholic beverages
Rationale: Metronidazole can cause a severe disulfiram-like reaction
(nausea, vomiting, flushing, headache, abdominal cramps) if consumed
with alcohol. Clients must avoid alcohol during and for at least 3 days
after treatment.
7. What is the primary action of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) like
omeprazole?
, A) Neutralizes existing stomach acid.
B) Forms a protective barrier over ulcers.
C) Inhibits the production of stomach acid.
D) Promotes gastric emptying.
E) Blocks histamine receptors in the stomach.
Correct Answer: C) Inhibits the production of stomach acid.
Rationale: PPIs irreversibly bind to and inhibit the hydrogen-
potassium ATPase pump (proton pump) in the parietal cells of the
stomach, effectively blocking the final step of acid production.
8. A client with asthma is prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid (e.g.,
fluticasone). What is a key instruction the nurse should provide?
A) Use this inhaler for immediate relief of acute asthma attacks.
B) Rinse the mouth thoroughly after each use.
C) Expect the full therapeutic effect within minutes.
D) Discontinue use once symptoms improve to avoid dependence.
E) This medication will cause significant bronchodilation.
Correct Answer: B) Rinse the mouth thoroughly after each use.
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids can cause oral candidiasis (thrush).
Rinsing the mouth with water after each use helps to prevent this
fungal infection. These medications are for long-term control, not acute
relief, and do not cause significant bronchodilation.
9. Which medication is the antidote for opioid overdose?
A) Flumazenil
B) Naloxone
C) N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
D) Protamine sulfate
E) Atropine
Correct Answer: B) Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses the
central nervous system and respiratory depression caused by opioid
overdose.
10. A client is taking warfarin. Which laboratory test is most
important to monitor to assess its therapeutic effect?
A) Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
B) International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C) Platelet count
D) D-dimer
E) Bleeding time
