Pharmacology NCLEX questions

A patient newly diagnosed with depression has been prescribed fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Why would the physician order an SSRI for a newly diagnosed patient? A. Newly diagnosed patients typically don't require more effective antidepressants. B. SSRIs work better in adults. C. SSRIs work better in young adults. D. SSRIs usually produce fewer and milder adverse effects than other antidepressants.

D - SSRIs usually produce fewer and milder adverse effects than other antidepressants.Chapter 21: Antidepressant Agents - Page 356

A 23-year-old client is prescribed zidovudine for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Which statement indicates that the client has understood the client teaching regarding the action of this medication? A. "Zidovudine inactivates the virus and prevents recurrence of the disease." B. "Zidovudine therapy may result in the development of resistant strains." C. "Zidovudine slows the progression of the disease but does not cure it." D. "Zidovudine prevents the occurrence of opportunistic infections."

•C - "Zidovudine slows the progression of the disease but does not cure it." Chapter 10: Antiviral Agents - Page 155

A female client 70 years of age is receiving lithium. Which nursing intervention is appropriate for this client? A. Instruct the client to use barrier contraceptives. B. Check blood glucose levels every six hours. C. Monitor fluid and sodium intake every 12 hours. D. Encourage the client to check daily for weight loss.

C - Monitor fluid and sodium intake every 12 hours.

A client is receiving dopamine intravenously in the right arm. The IV becomes dislodged from the vein, and dopamine has been being given in the surrounding tissue instead of the vein. What should the nurse do immediately after stopping the IV? A. Put ice on the infusion site. B. Wrap the site tightly with gauze. C. Administer phentolamine to the site. D. Administer atenolol to the site.

C. Administer phentolamine to the site.

The client has been prescribed an MAO inhibitor. As the nurse teaches the client about this medication, what foods will the client be instructed to avoid? A. Herbal stimulants, caffeine, navy beans, and cheese B. Coffee, chocolate, organ meats, pasta, and navy beans C. Aged cheeses and meats, concentrated yeast extracts, sauerkraut, and fava beans D. Herbal stimulants, pasta, organ meats, and egg products

C. Aged cheeses and meats, concentrated yeast extracts, sauerkraut, and fava beans

A nurse receives an order for clonidine for a 25-year-old pregnant woman with poorly controlled hypertension. What is the nurse's priority action? A. Weigh the client to confirm the correct dose/kg/day. B. Have a second nurse check the dose before administering the drug. C. Consult with the prescriber about the order. D. Make sure the client is wearing a fetal monitor.

C. Consult with the prescriber about the order.

Anticonvulsive medications are sometimes used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. What other drug is used to treat bipolar disorder? A. Valium B. Flexeril C. Lithium D. Restoril

C. Lithium

A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who is taking atenolol for hypertension. What would the nurse teach the client regarding the possible drug interactions and what the client is advised to avoid? A. Biaxin B. Percocet C. NSAIDS D. oral contraceptives

C. NSAIDS

When applied topically to the eye, which drug produces dilation of the pupil without changing accommodation? A. Atropine B. Neostigmine C. Phenylephrine D. Phentolamine

C. Phenylephrine

The nurse knows that pregnant caregivers should not inhale which medication while administering the medication to clients? A. Albuterol B. Amantadine C. Ribavirin D. Valganciclovir

C. Ribavirin

A patient with HIV is taking zidovudine and becomes pregnant. What does the nurse anticipate that the instructions will be for this patient? A. The patient will be advised to discontinue the drug immediately. B. The patient will be advised to discontinue the use of the drug until the second trimester of pregnancy. C. The patient will be advised to continue taking the zidovudine. D. The patient will be advised to discontinue the drug until after the delivery of the neonate.

C. The patient will be advised to continue taking the zidovudine.

A nurse in the intensive care unit is caring for a client in shock and has started IV administration of dopamine (Intropin). For a client in shock, dopamine helps to: A. decrease heart rate. B. decrease blood pressure. C. increase blood pressure. D. increase body temperature.

C. increase blood pressure.

The client is experiencing some slurred speech and the nurse notices tremors. In reviewing the clients am lab results she focuses on the serum lithium level. Which finding would indicate that the client is experiencing lithium toxicity? A. 1.8 mEq/L B. 0.6 mEq/L C. 0.8 mEq/L D. 1.2 mEq/L

A - 1.8 mEq/L

A nurse educating a client starting phenelzine should educate the client to avoid which foods? (Select all that apply.) A. Blue cheese B. Pepperoni C. Apples D. Chocolate E. Celery

A - Blue cheese, B - Pepperoni & D - Chocolate

When performing discharge instructions to a patient prescribed metoprolol (Lopressor), which statement by the nurse is correct? A. "If you take your pulse and it is less than 60 beats/min, hold your medicine and call your health care provider for instructions." B. "If you become dizzy, do not take your medication for 2 days and then restart on the third day." C. "This medication may make you fatigued; increasing caffeine in your diet may help alleviate this problem." D. "Increase your intake of green leafy vegetables to prevent bleeding problems that can be caused by this medication."

A. "If you take your pulse and it is less than 60 beats/min, hold your medicine and call your health care provider for instructions."

A 30-year-old female client is diagnosed with seizure disorder, and the provider is considering the use of carbamazepine. What assessment question best addresses the safety and effectiveness of the medication regimen? A. "Is there any chance that you could be pregnant?" B. "Have you been vaccinated against hepatitis A or B recently?" C. "Will paying for your medication present any challenges?" D. "When did you last have your eyesight assessed?"

A. "Is there any chance that you could be pregnant?"

A 50-year-old client received atropine preoperatively. The nurse explains the symptom of dry mouth to client as which effect? A. "The medication temporarily decreased your salivation." B. "The medication caused a loss of body fluid." C. "You are probably dehydrated." D. "The medication caused an electrolyte imbalance."

A. "The medication temporarily decreased your salivation."

Which patient should be advised by the nurse to avoid over-the-counter cold and allergy preparations that contain phenylephrine? A. A 47-year-old female with hypertension B. A 52-year-old male with adult-onset diabetes C. A 17-year-old female with symptoms of an upper respiratory infection D. A 62-year-old male with gout

A. A 47-year-old female with hypertension

A nurse is providing care on a psychiatric unit with many clients that take antidepressants. What client factor would the nurse have to consider when administering these medications? A. A client has dysphagia B. A client has an intense fear of injections C. A client has a history of pulling out her IV cannula D. A client actively resists IM injections

A. A client has dysphagia

A nurse is treating a patient who is receiving carbamazepine for a seizure disorder. The nurse knows that carbamazepine is contraindicated in patients with which diseases or disorders? A. Bone marrow depression B. Bipolar disorder C. Allergy to sulfonamides D. Diabetes

A. Bone marrow depression

A nurse is assessing a client with Parkinson's disease. The nurse determines that the client's drug therapy is effective when the client exhibits what? A. Decreased tremors B. Decreased aggression C. Improved level of intellectual functioning D. Improved short term memory

A. Decreased tremors

Anticholinergic drugs are used to treat a variety of disease processes. What should the nurse instruct a client about newly prescribed anticholinergic drugs? A. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how the medication affects you. B. Take cool baths early in the morning and late at night. C. Wear dark, warm clothing. D. Decrease fluid intake and increase salt intake.

A. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how the medication affects you.

A nurse is reviewing a bipolar client's serum lithium level, which is 1.8 mEq/L. What is the nurse's best action? A. Inform the prescriber and monitor for GI and CNS effects B. Inform the prescriber and perform a focused respiratory assessment C. Contact the prescriber and request a supplementary dose of lithium D. Facilitate a transfer to the intensive care unit

A. Inform the prescriber and monitor for GI and CNS effects

A male client's physician orders levodopa for the treatment of the client's Parkinson's disease. The client asks the nurse whether the levodopa will cure his condition. Which is a correct statement about the effects of levodopa? A. It does not alter the underlying disease process, but it may improve a client's quality of life. B. It will cure the Parkinson's disease. C. It will control the symptoms for 10 to 12 years. D. It is the treatment of last resort and may control his symptoms.

A. It does not alter the underlying disease process, but it may improve a client's quality of life.

A client comes to the emergency department experiencing status epilepticus. Which medication would the nurse expect to administer? A. Lorazepam B. Levetiracetam C. Trimethadione D. Methsuximide

A. Lorazepam

A client with a severe stomachache visits the health care facility. Which intervention should the nurse perform if a pinworm infection is suspected? A. Obtain stool samples B. Obtain blood sample C. Obtain urine sample D. Obtain sample of saliva

A. Obtain stool samples

A nursing instructor determines that a class on adrenergic blockers was successful when the students identify which medications as an alpha-adrenergic blocker? A. Phentolamine B. Metoprolol C. Atenolol D. Clonidine

A. Phentolamine

Which agent would the nurse expect to find when reviewing over-the-counter allergy products? A. Phenylephrine B. Midodrine C. Clonidine D. Dopamine

A. Phenylephrine

The mother of a 4-year-old child tells the nurse that her child has been sleeping very poorly. The child has also been scratching in her rectal or perineal area. The nurse suspects that this child has what parasitic infection? A. Pinworms B. Hookworms C. Whipworms D. Roundworms

A. Pinworms

What assessment should the nurse make before administering beta-adrenergic blocking agents? A. Pulse and blood pressure B. Weight and caloric intake C. Serum albumin level D. Serum sodium level

A. Pulse and blood pressure

Which nursing diagnosis would be most important for a nurse to include in the plan of care for a client who is receiving an antiseizure agent and experiencing common adverse effects? A. Risk for injury B. Risk for imbalanced fluid volume C. Impaired skin integrity D. Ineffective coping

A. Risk for injury

What is the most common drug of choice prescribed for the treatment of seizure activity in adults? A. phenytoin B. lorazepam C. gabapentin D. diazepam

A. phenytoin

What information related to a client's history is a contraindication for a prescription of an anthelmintic medication? A. pregnancy B. myasthenia gravis C. clinical depression D. younger than 15 years

A. pregnancy

A nurse is giving medication instruction to a client who is taking metoprolol (Lopressor). Which statement by the client would indicate that teaching has been effective? A. "I may have a very dry mouth while taking this drug." B. "I should never stop taking this drug abruptly." C. "I can stop walking a mile a day." D. "Since I am taking this drug, I no longer need to worry about my diet."

B. "I should never stop taking this drug abruptly."

A female client 25 years of age has begun taking lithium for treatment of bipolar disorder. Which statement indicates that the client needs further instruction? A. "I will need to come to the clinic regularly for blood tests." B. "I will need to stop taking my birth control pills while I take lithium." C. "My lithium dose may change depending on the results of my blood tests." D. "I will call the health care provider if I experience diarrhea."

B. "I will need to stop taking my birth control pills while I take lithium."

A client with asthma will soon begin treatment with atropine as an adjunct to a normal drug regimen. What teaching point should the nurse include in client education related to this new aspect of drug treatment? A. "You might find that you have to urinate more often for the first few days that you take the drug." B. "It's possible that your eyes will take longer to adjust to bright lights." C. "If you develop diarrhea, it might be related to atropine and you should visit your health care provider." D. "You'll probably find that you are producing more saliva than normal; this is a normal side effect of atropine."

B. "It's possible that your eyes will take longer to adjust to bright lights."

The nurse is reviewing the medication instruction for the client taking acyclovir. Which statement by the client would indicate the need for additional teaching? A. "I need to complete the full course of therapy as prescribed." B. "This medication will maintain the symptoms and cure my disease." C. "I need to report any rash or itching while taking the medication." D. "I need to contact my health care provider if the lesion turns red."

B. "This medication will maintain the symptoms and cure my disease."

A client is brought into the emergency department in status epilepticus and the nurse is administering phenobarbital 300 mg IV as prescribed. Family members ask the nurse how long it will take to stop the seizures. What is the nurse's best response? A. "The seizures will probably stop in around 5 minutes." B. "We should see results in about 10 to 30 minutes." C. "It will take at least 30 minutes before the seizures begin to subside." D. "It may be an hour, or slightly more, before the seizures stop."

B. "We should see results in about 10 to 30 minutes."

A patient with cortical focal seizures has been prescribed phenobarbital. What adverse reaction should the nurse monitor for in the patient? A. Gingival hyperplasia B. CNS depression C. Ataxia D. Urticaria

B. CNS depression

Which symptom should the nurse monitor for when caring for a client whose sinus bradycardia has been treated with large doses of atropine? A. Pallor B. Flushing C. Edema D. Incontinence

B. Flushing

A 70-year-old man is being treated for herpes zoster virus. He has been prescribed acyclovir (Zovirax). The clinic nurse should prioritize assessments of which of the following? A. Neurologic function B. Renal function C. Cardiac function D. Respiratory function

B. Renal function

A client who is receiving an antiseizure agent reports feeling sleepy and tired and reports dizziness when standing up. Which intervention would the nurse most likely implement as the priority? A. Hydration therapy B. Safety precautions C. Skin-care measures D. Emotional support

B. Safety precautions

A client reports feelings of gloom and the inability to perform activities of daily living. The normal function of which neurotransmitter is most likely impaired? A. Acetylcholine B. Serotonin C. Epinephrine D. Insulin

B. Serotonin

The nurse is providing teaching about a typical antipsychotic newly prescribed for the client. The nurse cautions the client against actions that may cause increased central nervous system (CNS) depression. What should the nurse caution the client against? A. maintaining an inconsistent sleep schedule B. consumption of alcohol C. use of over-the-counter NSAIDs D. tobacco use

B. consumption of alcohol

A mother brings her 18-month-old son into the clinic stating that he has been "scratching his bottom" for several days. Which medication should the nurse expect to be prescribed? A. pyrantel B. mebendazole C. ivermectin D. praziquantel

B. mebendazole

A client has been diagnosed with depression. The provider has ordered sertraline. The client asks, "How soon will it be until I feel better?" What would be the best response by the nurse? A."The medication will start to work immediately." B. "The medication will improve your energy in 1 to 2 days, but the symptoms of sadness will not improve for a week." C. "The medication will decrease only your visible symptoms of depression." D. "The medication will start to work in about 10 days, but it may take up to 4 weeks to be fully effective."

D. "The medication will start to work in about 10 days, but it may take up to 4 weeks to be fully effective."

For which clients would treatment with acyclovir be most clearly indicated? A. A 2-month-old infant brought to the emergency department with signs of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). B. A man who contracted hepatitis A virus (HAV) while on a tropical vacation. C. A 44-year-old intravenous drug user who has been diagnosed with hepatitis C virus (HCV). D. A 77-year-old whose recent debilitating pain has been attributed to a herpes zoster infection.

D. A 77-year-old whose recent debilitating pain has been attributed to a herpes zoster infection.

A 21-year-old man experienced massive trauma and blood loss during a motorcycle accident and has been started on a dopamine infusion upon his arrival at the hospital. In light of this drug treatment, what assessment should the care team prioritize? A. Respiratory assessment B. Arterial blood gases C. Monitoring of intracranial pressure D. Cardiac monitoring

D. Cardiac monitoring

A male client is prescribed an adrenergic ophthalmic medication. What should the nurse include in the teaching plan? A. The drug is only absorbed locally. B. Side effects are limited to inflammation of the conjunctiva. C. Allergic and adverse reactions are rare. D. Hypertension may be a side effect of the medication.

D. Hypertension may be a side effect of the medication.

The nurse is caring for a teenage client who has recently been prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. What assessment should the nurse prioritize? A. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) B. Cardiac rate and rhythm C. Hypomanic state D. Suicidal ideation

D. Suicidal ideation

What is the major reason that monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOs) are rarely used in clinical practice today? A. They are under a scheduled drug classification. B. They are ineffective in treating depression or anxiety disorders. C. They can cause gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and esophageal varices. D. They may cause dangerous interactions with some foods and drugs.

D. They may cause dangerous interactions with some foods and drugs.

The nurse is caring for a client who is unconscious and requires an anticholinergic drug to treat bradycardia. What drug can the nurse administer IV (by prescription) for this purpose? A. ipratropium B. dicyclomine C. methscopolamine D. atropine

D. atropine

A client is prescribed phenytoin and reports gastrointestinal (GI) upset. The nurse should tell the client to: A. take the medication two hours after ingesting dairy products. B. ask the health care provider to change the route from oral to injection. C. take the medication at bedtime. D. take the medication with meals.

D. take the medication with meals.