Pharmacology NCLEX style questions

A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a drug. After receiving the first dose of the drug, the client experiences anaphylaxis. The nurse should identify that anaphylaxis represents which of the following results of the drug? A. Adverse Effect B. Paradoxical Effect C. Therapeutic Effect D. Toxicity

A. Adverse Effect

Primary Care providers prescribe drug dosages for children using which of the following information? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY A. Body Surface Area B. Age C. Weight D. Developmental Level E. Drug Properties

A. Body Surface Area B. Age C. Weight E. Drug Properties

A nurse caring for a client who is taking acetaminophen and codeine for pain relief. These analgesic drugs interact with one another to cause an additive effect. The nurse should identify that which of the following are characteristic of additive drug interactions? (select all that apply) A. Clients can achieve desired effects with the use of lower dosages B. Taking the two drugs together can reduce the effects of one or both drugs. C. Taking the two drugs together can potentiate the effects of one or both drugs. D. The two drugs can produce an action neither would have produced alone. E. Both Drugs have similar actions.

A. Clients can achieve desired effects with the use of lower dosages E. Both Drugs have similar actions.

Match the pharmacokinetic process with its definition. Terms: A. Excretion B. Metabolism C. Distribution D. Absorption Definitions: 1. The movement of a drug by the circulatory system to its intended site of action 2. The change of a drug into a more or less potent or more soluble form after it passes through the liver, kidneys, intestinal mucosa, or other body part 3. The removal of the drug or its metabolites through the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, skin and lungs 4. The movement of a drug from the site of administration into the circulatory system.

A. Excretion: 3. The removal of the drug or its metabolites through the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, skin and lungs B. Metabolism: 2. The change of a drug into a more or less potent or more soluble form after it passes through the liver, kidneys, intestinal mucosa, or other body part C. Distribution: 1. The movement of a drug by the circulatory system to its intended site of action D. Absorption: 4. The movement of a drug from the site of administration into the circulatory system.

A client who has a peanut allergy comes to the ED with suspected anaphylactic shock. Which of the following actions should you anticipate taking? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY A. Initiate oxygen therapy to support respiratory function B. Administer epinephrine to increase blood pressure. C. Give diphenhydramine to stop histamine release. D. Establish and maintain an open airway to ensure oxygenation E. Administer a drug agonist to neutralize the allergic reaction.

A. Initiate oxygen therapy to support respiratory function B. Administer epinephrine to increase blood pressure. C. Give diphenhydramine to stop histamine release. D. Establish and maintain an open airway to ensure oxygenation

When reviewing a list of drugs in a drug handbook, a nurse can identify the generic name for a drug in which of the following ways? A. It begins with a lower-case letter. B. It is listed in parentheses along with the trade name. C. There are both letters and numbers in the name. D. The chemical name is listed in parentheses before the generic name.

A. It begins with a lower-case letter.

A nurse caring for a client who arrived at an ED following a bee sting. Which of the following finding indicates an anaphylactic reaction? (select all that apply) A. Low blood pressure B. Wheezing C. Bradycardia D. Peripheral Edema E. Difficulty Swallowing

A. Low blood pressure B. Wheezing E. Difficulty Swallowing

Move the Pharmacologic term to match it with its definition: Terms: A. Peak Drug Level B. Onset of Action C. Trough Drug Level D. Duration of Action Definitions: 1. The length of time the drug's therapeutic effect lasts. 2. The time it takes a drug to demonstrate its full therapeutic effect 3. The time it takes for a drug to demonstrate a therapeutic response 4. The point in time when a drug is at its lowest level in the body

A. Peak Drug Level: 2. The time it takes a drug to demonstrate its full therapeutic effect B. Onset of Action: 3. The time it takes for a drug to demonstrate a therapeutic response C. Trough Drug Level: 4. The point in time when a drug is at its lowest level in the body D. Duration of Action: 1. The length of time the drug's therapeutic effect lasts.

A nurse is providing teaching for a client who has a new prescription for a drug with a high potential for toxicity. Which of the following information should the nurse include (select all that apply). A. Periodic laboratory tests are essential to measure serum drug levels B. Monitoring for indications of toxicity is important. C. Taking the drug with an inducing agent will increase the possibility of toxicity D. Taking the smallest effective dose is crucial E. Increasing fluid intake is recommended to avoid toxicity

A. Periodic laboratory tests are essential to measure serum drug levels B. Monitoring for indications of toxicity is important. D. Taking the smallest effective dose is crucial

A nurse is caring for a client who was prescribed an antidepressant based on its ability to prevent the reuptake of neurotransmitters. The nurse should identify that which of the following terms describes why this drug was prescribed for the client? A. Pharmacologic action B. Chemical Stability C. Route D. Adverse Effects

A. Pharmacologic action

An older client may be at risk for drug toxicity due to which of the following physiologic changes associated with aging? A. Reduced hepatic blood flow B. Increased glomerular filtration rate C. Reduced body fat D. Increased gastric motility

A. Reduced hepatic blood flow

A client with glaucoma asks you about taking oxybutynin, a muscarinic antagonist, to manage an overactive bladder. You explain that glaucoma is a contraindication for taking oxybutynin. Primary care providers should not prescribe contraindicated drugs because of their potential for which of the following? A. Serious Adverse reactions B. Drug Tolerance C. Drug Dependence D. Interactions with other Drugs.

A. Serious Adverse reactions

A nurse is caring for a client who is postpartum and breastfeeding. The client asks the nurse about the effects that taking otc drugs will have in her newborn. Which of the following should the nurse consider when recommending a drug for the client (Select all that apply) A. The newborn's weight B. How much breast milk the newborn consumes each day C. Whether or not the benefits to the client outweigh the risks to the newborn D. The properties of the drug E. The route of administration of the drug

A. The newborn's weight B. How much breast milk the newborn consumes each day C. Whether or not the benefits to the client outweigh the risks to the newborn D. The properties of the drug

A nurse is obtaining a client's health history and discovers that the client takes loratadine, an otc drug. The nurse should identify that which of the following is correct regarding otc drugs? (select all that apply) A. They do not requite the supervision of a nurse. B. They can interact with other drugs. C. They should be included in the client's drug history assessment. D. They are less effective than prescription drugs. E. They do not cause toxicity

A. They do not require the supervision of a nurse. B. They can interact with other drugs. C. They should be included in the client's drug history assessment.

A nurse is reviewing drugs in a drug reference. The nurse should identify that drugs in the same class share which of the following similarities? A. They have similar mechanisms of actions. B. They have the same half-life C. They are administered by the same route. D. They have similar availability.

A. They have similar mechanisms of actions.

A nurse is teaching a client who has a prescription for a drug that has a receptor agonist effect. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching? A. This will increase the effects of normal cellular functions. B. This prevents cells in your body from performing certain actions. C. This prevents hormones in your body from attaching to cell receptor sites. D. This minimizes the risk that the medications you take will become toxic.

A. This will increase the effects of normal cellular functions.

A nurse is preparing to teach a client how to take care of a newly created colostomy. The nurse should identify that which of the following factors can decrease the client's ability to learn? (Select all that apply) A. impaired cognitive level B. language barrier C. Discomfort D. Repetition of teaching E. Unreadiness to learn

A. impaired cognitive level B. language barrier C. Discomfort E. Unreadiness to learn

A nurse is caring for a client who is taking diphenhydramine for insomnia and reports drowsiness. The nurse should identify that drowsiness indicates which of the following? A. therapeutic effect B. Adverse reaction C. Contraindication D. Precaution

A. therapeutic effect

A client asks you about the difference between a generic drug and a trade-or brand-name drug. Which of the following are true regarding generic drugs? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY A. Have the potential for abuse and dependence B. Have the same Chemical Composition as the brand-name drug C. May have several brand names D. May have several generic names E. Are usually less expensive than a brand-name drug

B. Have the same Chemical Composition as the brand-name drug C. May have several brand names D. May have several generic names

A nurse is preparing to administer a drug to a client. In which of the following sections of a drug handbook should the nurse look to determine if the drug has more than one use? A. Adverse Effects B. Indications C. Pharmacokinetics D. Nursing Implications

B. Indications

A nurse is reviewing a drug handbook prior to administering a drug to a client who has kidney disease. The handbook states that the drug can be administered but identifies certain risks. Which of the following terms describes these risks? A. Contraindications B. Precautions C. Paradoxical Effects D. Adverse effects

B. Precautions

A nurse is preparing to teach a client about a newly prescribed drug. Prior to providing teaching, the nurse should review the precautions section of a drug handbook for which of the following reasons? A. To determine drug-food interactions B. To determine if dosage modification is indicated C. To determine how the drug is absorbed D. To determine availability

B. To determine if dosage modification is indicated Rational: A: is under the interactions section B: is under the precautions section

A nurse is preparing to administer a drug to a client. In which of the following sections of a drug handbook should the nurse look to determine if the client can receive the drug? A. adverse effects B. contraindications C. implementation D. black box warning

B. contraindications

A nurse is obtaining a client's health history. The client reports no allergies but has experienced mild itching while taking amoxicillin in the past. Which of the following responses should the nurse make? A. "itching is an expected adverse effect of amoxicillin." B. "itching can indicate amoxicillin toxicity." C. "itching can indicate a hypersensitivity to amoxicillin." D. "itching can result from dry skin, which is often caused by amoxicillin."

C. "itching can indicate a hypersensitivity to amoxicillin."

You note that a primary care provider prescribed morphine sulfate, an opioid agonist, to relieve a patient's postoperative pain. Which of the following describes the action of an agonist on a receptor? A. destroys the receptor B. Competes with the receptor C. Activates the Receptor D. Blocks the receptor

C. Activates the Receptor

You are helping a client learn how to give himself an insulin injection. Which of the following is the best method for evaluating effective learning? A. Verbally Quiz a family member B. Instruct the client to complete a written test. C. Have the client demonstrate an insulin injection. D. Ask the client several key questions about the procedure.

C. Have the client demonstrate an insulin injection.

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving nitroglycerin IV and is switching to the oral form of the drug. The nurse should identify that the oral dose will be higher than the IV dose for which of the following reasons? A. The IV form crosses the blood-brain barrier. B. The oral form has a decreased half-life. C. The oral form has decreased bioavailability because of the first-pass effect. D. The oral form has an increased rate of excretion.

C. The oral form has decreased bioavailability because of the first-pass effect.

You are talking with a client about taking tetracycline along with an antacid. You tell the client not to take these two drugs at the same time because the antacid can reduce the absorption of tetracycline. When one drug reduces the effect of another drug, it is: A. an allergic reaction B. a synergistic effect C. an antagonistic effect D. an adverse reaction

C. an antagonistic effect

A nurse is caring for a client who is having difficulty remembering to take their prescribed drug three times a day. The nurse should identify that which of the following alternate forms of the drug can help to promote adherence to the prescribed dosage? A. liquid suspension B. immediate-release capsule C. extended-release tablet D. powder form

C. extended-release tablet

A nurse is caring for a client who is newly admitted to the facility for chest pain. At which of the following times should the nurse begin teaching about drugs and discharge planning? A. After the client has a definitive diagnosis B. On the day of discharge C. When the client's family members are present D. As soon as possible

D. As soon as possible

A nurse is teaching a client about the adverse effects of digoxin. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching? A. Adverse effects are the intended effects of the medication. B. Adverse effects indicate a severe allergy to the medication. C. Decrease your medication dose if adverse effects occur. D. Contact your provider if adverse effects occur.

D. Contact your provider if adverse effects occur.

a nurse is teaching a client about naproxen enteric-coated tablets. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching? A. Drug absorption occurs in the stomach B. You should expect immediate absorption of the drug C. You should allow the tablet to dissolve in your mouth D. Do not crush or chew the tablet.

D. Do not crush or chew the tablet.

A nurse is speaking to a client who is taking sertraline and reports drinking grapefruit juice. The nurse explains that grapefruit juice inhibits an enzyme in the liver that is used to metabolize sertraline. The nurse should recognize the client's risk for which of the following? A. Reduced drug absorption B. Drug Dependence C. Altered drug distribution D. Drug toxicity

D. Drug toxicity

a nurse is caring for a client who has a history of renal insufficiency and is taking lithium. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following? A. Tolerance to the drug B. Drug Interaction C. Drug Toxicity D. Dependence on Drug

D. Drug toxicity

A nurse is providing teaching to a pregnant client who is taking captopril, an ACE inhibitor, to treat hypertension. The nurse informs the client that captopril is a teratogenic drug. The nurse should explain that teratogenic drugs can cause which of the following? A. Maternal Bleeding B. Maternal Blood Clots C. Gestational diabetes mellitus D. Fetal Malformation

D. Fetal Malformation