Pharmacology

Practice Questions
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Terms in this set (43)

1. A client with a. Maintenance treatment of

COPD is taking asthma
a leukotriene
antagonist,
montelukast
(Singulair). The
nurse is aware
that this
medication is
given for which
purpose?

a. Maintenance
treatment of
asthma
b. Treatment of
an acute
asthma attack
c. Reversing
bronchospasm
associated with
COPD
d. Treatment of
inflammation in
chronic
bronchitis

2. Discharge d. Tachycardia
teaching to a
client receiving
a beta-agonist
bronchodilator
should
emphasize
reporting which
side effect?

a.
Hypoglycemia
b.
Nonproductive
cough
c. Sedation
d. Tachycardia
3. A nurse a. Monitor client for potential
reviews a chest pain
client's
medication
history and
notes that the
client is taking a
nonselective
adrenergic
agonist
bronchodilator
and has a
history of
coronary artery
disease. What is
a priority
nursing
intervention?

a. Monitor
client for
potential chest
pain.
b. Monitor
blood pressure
blood pressure
continuously.
c. Assess daily
for
hyperkalemia.
d. Assess 12-
lead ECG each
shift.

4. The nurse is d. Salmeterol has a longer

instructing a duration of action
client about the
advantages of
salmeterol
(Serevent) over
other beta2
agonists such
as albuterol
(Proventil). How
will the nurse
explain to the
client the
difference in
these two
medications?

a. Salmeterol
has a shorter
onset of action.
b. Salmeterol
does not have
any side
effects.
c. Albuterol has
a longer onset
of action.
d. Salmeterol
has a longer
duration of
action.

5. Client c. This medication will prevent the

teaching inflammation that causes your
regarding the asthma attack
use of
antileukotriene
agents such as
zafirlukast
(Accolate)
should include
which
statement?

a. "Take the
medication as
soon as you
begin
wheezing."
b. "It will take
about 3 weeks
before you
notice a
therapeutic
effect."
c. "This
medication will
prevent the
inflammation
that causes
your asthma
attack."
d. "Increase
fiber and fluid
in your diet to
prevent the
side effect of
constipation."
6. A client with c. Administer a beta2 adrenergic
a history of agonist.
asthma is short
of breath and
says, "I feel like
I'm having an
asthmatic
attack." What is
the nurse's best
action?

a. Call a code.
b. Ask the client
to describe the
symptoms.
c. Administer a
beta2
adrenergic
agonist.
d. Administer a
long-acting
glucocorticoid.

7. Which c. "Hold your breath for 10

instruction will seconds if you can after you inhale
the nurse the medication."
include when
teaching a
client about the
proper use of
metered-dose
inhalers?
a. "After you
inhale the
medication
once, repeat
until you obtain
relief."
b. "Make sure
that you puff
out air
repeatedly after
you inhale the
medication."
c. "Hold your
breath for 10
seconds if you
can after you
inhale the
medication."
d. "Hold the
inhaler in your
mouth, take a
deep breath,
and then
compress the
inhaler."
8. What will the c. Liquefying and loosening of
nurse expect to bronchial secretions
find that would
indicate a
therapeutic
effect of
acetylcysteine
(Mucomyst)?

a. Decreased
cough reflex
b. Decreased
nasal secretions
c. Liquefying
and loosening
of bronchial
secretions
d. Relief of
bronchospasm
9. The nurse is d. Teach the child to use a spacer
caring for a
young child
who has been
prescribed an
inhaler for
control of her
asthma. The
child is having
difficulty using
the inhaler.
What is the
nurse's best
action?

a. Tell the
parent to hold
the inhaler for
the child.
b. Ask the
b. Ask the
health care
provider to
switch to oral
medications.
c. Tell the
parent that
young children
should not use
inhalers.
d. Teach the
child to use a
spacer.
10. A client who b. Rotate insulin injection sites
has been newly systematically
diagnosed with
diabetes
mellitus has
been stabilized
with daily
insulin
injections.
Which
information
should the
nurse teach
when carrying
out plans for
discharge?

a. Keep insulin
vials

refrigerated at
refrigerated at
all times.
b. Rotate the
insulin injection
sites
systematically.
c. Increase the
amount of
insulin before
unusual
exercise.
d. Monitor the
urine acetone
level to
determine the
insulin dosage.

11. A nurse is a. Withdraws the NPH insulin first

reinforcing
teaching for a
client regarding
how to mix
regular insulin
and NPH insulin
in the same
syringe. Which
of the following
actions, if
performed by
the client,
indicates the
need for further
teaching?
a. Withdraws
the NPH insulin
first
b. Withdraws
the regular
insulin first
c. Injects air
into NPH insulin
vial first
d. Injects an
amount of air
equal to the
desired dose of
insulin into the
vial
12. A home care b. Refrigerate the insulin
nurse visits a
client recently
diagnosed with
diabetes
mellitus who is
taking Humulin
NPH insulin
daily. The client
asks the nurse
how to store
the unopened
vials of insulin.
The nurse tells
the client to:

a. Freeze the
insulin.
b. Refrigerate
the insulin.
c. Store the
insulin in a dark,
dry place.
d. Keep the
insulin at room
temperature.
13. A client is b. 4 to 12 hours after
taking Humulin administration
NPH insulin
daily every
morning. The
nurse reinforces
instructions for
the client and
tells the client
that the most
likely time for a
hypoglycemic
reaction to
occur is: 12 to
18?

a. 2 to 4 hours
after
administration
b. 4 to 12 hours
after
administration
c. 16 to 18 hours
after
administration
d. 18 to 24
hours after
hours after
administration

14. A client a. 5:00 pm

received 20
units of NPH
insulin
subcutaneously
at 8:00 AM. The
nurse should
check the client
for a potential
hypoglycemic
reaction at what
time?

a. 5:00 PM
b. 10:00 AM
c. 11:00 AM
d. 11:00 PM

15. Which of the b. Insulin aspart (Novolog)

following is a
rapid-acting
insulin with an
onset of action
of less than 15
minutes?

a. Insulin
glargine
(Lantus)
b. Insulin aspart
(Novolog)
c. Regular
insulin (Humulin
R)
d. Insulin
detemir
(Levemir)

16. Which insulin c. Regular insulin (Humulin R)

can be
administered by
continuous
intravenous
infusion?

a. Insulin
glargine
(Lantus)
b. Insulin aspart
(Novolog)
c. Regular
insulin (Humulin
R)
d. Insulin
detemir
(Levemir)
17. Assuming c. 5:00 pm
the patient eats
breakfast at
8:30 AM, lunch
at noon, and
dinner at 6:00
PM, he or she is
at highest risk
of
hypoglycemia
following an
8:00 AM dose
of NPH insulin
at

a. 10:00 AM.
b. 2:00 PM.
c. 5:00 PM.
d. 8:00 PM.
18. The nurse is b. metformin (Glucophage)
caring for a
patient
scheduled to
undergo a
cardiac
catheterization
procedure
utilizing iodine-
based contrast
material. The
nurse would
question an
order for which
medication to
be given to this
patient the day
before the
scheduled
procedure?
procedure?

a. acarbose
(Precose)
b. metformin
(Glucophage)
c. repaglinide
(Prandin)
d. rosiglitazone
(Avandia)
19. The nurse d. "You cannot mix this insulin with
would include regular insulin and thus will have
which to take two injections."
statement when
teaching a
patient about
insulin
glargine?

a. "You should
inject this insulin
just before
meals because
it is very fast
acting."
b. "The duration
of action for
this insulin is
approximately
8 to10 hours, so
you will need to
take it twice a

day."
day."
c. "You can mix
this insulin with
NPH insulin to
enhance its
effects."
d. "You cannot
mix this insulin
with regular
insulin and thus
will have to
take two
injections."

20. All of these d. albuterol (Ventolin) 2.5 mg per

orders are received nebulizer
for a patient having
an acute asthma
attack. Which one
will the nurse
administer first?

a. IV
methylprednisolone
(Solu-Medrol) 60
mg
b. triamcinolone
(Azmacort) 2 puffs
per MDI
c. salmeterol
(Serevent) 50 mcg
per DPI
d. albuterol
(Ventolin) 2.5 mg
per nebulizer
21. A patient
c. "Use a spacer with the inhaler
with asthma is
and rinse your mouth after each
scheduled to
dose administration."
start taking a
glucocorticoid
medication with
a metered-
dose inhaler
(MDI). The
nurse should
give the patient
which
instruction
about correct
use of the
inhaler?

a. "After you
inhale the
medication
once, repeat
until you obtain
symptomatic

relief."
relief."
b. "Wait no
longer than 30
seconds after
the first puff
before taking
the second
one."
c. "Use a spacer
with the inhaler
and rinse your
mouth after
Pharmacology
each dose Practice Questions Study
administration."
d. "Breathe in
through the
nose and hold
for 2 seconds
just before
activating the
inhaler."
22. To achieve b. On a continuing, daily basis
therapeutic
effectiveness, a
nurse teaches a
patient with
chronic asthma
to use an
inhaled
glucocorticoid
medication
according to
which
schedule?

a. Only in an
emergency
b. On a
continuing,
daily basis
c. To abort an
asthma attack
d. 2 weeks on, 2
weeks off

23. The nurse is a. "Do not drive after taking this

caring for a medication."
client who is
taking a first-
generation
antihistamine.
What is the
most important
fact for the
nurse to teach
the client?

a. "Do not drive

after taking this
medication."
b. "Make sure
you drink a lot
of liquids while
on this
medication."
c. "Take this
medication on
an empty
stomach."
d. "Do not take
this medication
for more than 2
days."
24. Which is the c. Increase fluid intake in order to
best instruction decrease viscosity of secretions.
for the nurse to
include when
teaching a
client about the
use of
expectorants?

a. Restrict fluids
in order to
decrease
mucus
production.
b. Take the
medication
once a day
only, at
bedtime.
c. Increase fluid
intake in order
to decrease
viscosity of
secretions.
d. Increase
d. Increase
fiber and fluid
intake to
prevent
constipation.

25. Drug b. Antibiotics

therapy that
prevents
recurrence of
peptic ulcers
associated with
H. pylori must
include

a. Antacids
b. Antibiotics
c. Antisecretory
agents
d. Mucosal
protectants

26. It is a c. Not using tobacco products

priority to
teach patients
who have PUD
the importance
of

a. Avoiding use
of alcohol
b. Consuming
more dairy
products
products
c. Not using
tobacco
products
d. Using
ibuprofen, not
acetaminophen,
for headaches
27. A patient with
b. With food
gastroesophageal
reflux disease
(GERD) who has
difficulty
following drug
regiments with
multiple doses
has been
prescribed
cimetidine
(Tagamet) 800
mg once a day at
bedtime. The
patient complains
that the
medication
effects wear off
before taking the
next dose. To
prolong the
beneficial effects
of the drug, the
nurse instructs

the patient to
the patient to
take the
medication

a. Twice a day
b. With food
c. On an empty
stomach
d. With an antacid
28. The generic a. azole
names of
proton pump
inhibitors (PPIs)
share which
common suffix?

a. -azole
b. -lol
c. -dine
d. -sartan
29. When c. Consistency of stool
clarifying a
patient's
complaint of
constipation,
what priority
information
does the nurse
need to obtain?

a. Amount of
stool
b. Color of
stool
c. Consistency
of stool
d. Frequency of
stool
30. What is the b. They should be taken with 8 oz
most important of water or juice
teaching the
nurse should
provide
regarding bulk-
forming
laxatives?

a. They should
never be taken
more than once
a day
b. They should
be taken with 8
oz of water or
juice
c. The fiber
increases bulk
increases bulk
but has no
effect on
peristalsis
d. They are
contraindicated
if the patient
has irritable
bowel
syndrome
31. Which c. You should not take antacids
directive should within 1 hour of taking the laxative
be included in
instructions for
administration
of bisacodyl
tablets?

a. You will have

the best
response if you
take the
laxative with a
meal.
b. You should
chew the
bisacodyl
tablets to
achieve the
maximum
effect.
c. You should
not take
antacids within 1
hour of taking
the laxative
d. You should
take the
laxative with a
laxative with a
full glass of milk
32. A nursing d. "Stimulant laxatives are a good
student is choice to prevent constipation
sharing associated with pregnancy."
research on
laxatives. Which
statement by
the student
would indicate
a need for
further study?

a. "Bulk-forming
agents can
form a mass in
the esophagus
if the patient
does not drink
enough water
when taking the
drug."
b. "Cathartics
are useful as
bowel
preparations for
colon
procedures."
c. "Patients
should be
warned that
stimulant

laxatives can
laxatives can
cause
electrolyte
imbalances."
d. "Stimulant
laxatives are a
good choice to
prevent
constipation
associated with
pregnancy."

d. Wash hands with soap and

33. Which
water after caring for the patient
action by the
nurse would be
of greatest
priority when a
patient
experiences
five watery
stools in 24
hours when
prescribed a
prescribed a
PPI?

a. Consult the
prescriber for
an order for
stool for ova
and parasite
b. Encourage
oral intake of
2000 mL of
fluids in 24
hours
c. Place the
patient in
isolation
d. Wash hands
with soap and
water after
caring for the
patient
34. Antacids for b. 1 and 3 hours after meals and at
PUD should be bedtime
administered

a. Half an hour
before meals
and bedtime
b. 1 and 3 hours
after meals and
at bedtime
c. As soon as
symptoms
occur
d. As
infrequently as
possible
35. What is the a. Its adverse effects limit abuse of
primary reason the drug
why Lomotil, an
antidiarrheal
drug, contains
atropine in
addition to
diphenoxylate?

a. Its adverse
effects limit
abuse of the
drug
b. It
antagonizes the
opiate effects
c. It inhibits
gastric acid
secretion
d. It relieves
pylorospasm
36. Which b. "I will not need as much insulin
statement, if when I am taking Synthroid."
made by a
patient who has
type 1 diabetes
mellitus and
was recently
diagnosed with
hypothyroidism
and prescribed
levothyroxine
(Synthroid),
(Synthroid),
would indicate
a need for
further
teaching?

a. "I should
check my
blood sugar if I
get really thirsty
and hot and
feel flushed."
b. "I will not
need as much
insulin when I
am taking
Synthyroid."
c. "It is very
important to
check my
blood sugar
before meals
and at
bedtime."
d. "It will be
weeks before
the Synthroid
levels off in my
blood and my
basal insulin
dose can be
adjusted

accordingly
accordingly
37. A patient
c. "Taking the drug on an empty
has received
stomach 30-60 minutes before
instructions
breakfast increases drug
regarding
absorption."
administration
of
levothyroxine
(Synthroid).
Which of these
statements
made by the
patient would
indicate that
the patient
understood the
directions?

a. "I should take

the drug in the
morning with
breakfast."
b. "Stomach
upset occurs if
the drug is
taken with an
antacid."
c. "Taking the
drug on an
empty stomach
30-60 minutes
before

breakfast
breakfast
increases drug
absorption."
d. "Taking the
drug with
orange juice
increases drug
absorption."
38. Which of d. Weight gain of 2 lb in 24 hours
these findings
would be a
priority to
report to the
prescriber if a
patient was
prescribed
fludrocortisone?

a. Blood
pressure 135/88
mm Hg
b. Flushed, dry
skin
c. Nausea and
vomiting
d. Weight gain
of 2 lb in 24
hours
39. It would be a d. WBC 2000/mm3
priority to report
which laboratory
test result to the
prescriber if a
patient is
receiving
therapeutic
doses of
glucocorticoids?

a. ALT 30
international
units/L
b. BUN 20
mg/dL
c. A1c 5.9%
d. WBC
2000/mm3
40. When c. Swallowing reflex
performing the
initial morning
assessment on
a patient with
diabetes, the
nurse notes that
the patient is
diaphoretic and
confused. The
nurse checks
the SMBG,
which is 37
mg/dL. What is
the priority
assessment
before
administering
orange juice?
a. Blood
pressure
b. Deep tendon
reflexes
c. Swallowing
reflex
d. Temperature

41. It would be c. Profuse sweating and difficult to

a priority for arouse
the nurse to
respond to
which
symptoms if
exhibited by a
patient who is
receiving insulin
therapy for
diabetes?

a. Fatigue and
blurred vision
b. Perineal
itching and
copious urine
c. Profuse
sweating and
difficult to
arouse
d. Thirst and
constant
hunger
42. What would
42. What would b. Discuss possible diet changes
be the most with the patient
appropriate
nursing
intervention for
a 23-year-old
patient who, for
the first time,
has a fasting
plasma glucose
level of 145
mg/dL?

a. Advise the
patient to
include 30
minutes of
vigorous
exercise in his
daily activities
b. Discuss
possible diet
changes with
the patient
c. Explain the
need for oral
antidiabetic
medication to
the patient
d. Teach the
patient how to
do a urine dip

for glucose and

for glucose and
ketones
43. A patient
b. Hgb A1c level
who has type 2
DM has been
unable to
follow the
recommended
diet and
exercise
regimen. He
tries to alter his
laboratory test
results by
eating less than
usual before
having blood
testing
performed.
Which test
would be most
accurate for this
patient because
it evaluates his
glucose control
over the past 3
months?

a. Fasting
glucose
b. Hgb A1c
level

c. Post prandial
c. Post prandial
glucose
d. Two-hour
glucose
tolerance