Pharm Exam Review Questions (from in class)

A pregnant adolescent patient asks the nurse whether she should continue to take her prescription for tetracycline [Sumycin] to clear up her acne. Which response by the nurse is correct? A. "Tetracycline can be harmful to the baby's teeth and should be avoided." B. "Tetracycline is safe to take during pregnancy." C. "Tetracycline may cause allergic reactions in pregnant women." D. "Tetracycline will prevent asymptomatic urinary tract infections."

A. "Tetracycline can be harmful to the baby's teeth and should be avoided."

A patient with no known drug allergies is receiving amoxicillin [Amoxil] PO twice daily. Twenty minutes after being given a dose, the patient complains of shortness of breath. The patient's blood pressure is 100/58 mm Hg. What will the nurse do? A. Contact the provider and prepare to administer epinephrine. B. Notify the provider if the patient develops a rash C. Request an order for a skin test to evaluate possible PCN allergy. D. Withhold the next dose until symptoms subside.

A. Contact the provider and prepare to administer epinephrine.

Which side effect of clindamycin [Cleocin] causes the most concern and may warrant discontinuation of the drug? A. Diarrhea B. Headache C. Nausea D. Vomiting

A. Diarrhea

A patient arrives in the emergency department with multiple dirty abrasions after a bicycle-automobile accident. Which product might be used initially to cleanse this patient's wounds? A. Hydrogen Peroxide B. Isopropanol (Isopropyl Alcohol) C. Povidone-Iodine (Betadine) D. Soap And Water

A. Hydrogen Peroxide

A patient has an infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The prescriber has ordered piperacillin and amikacin, both to be given intravenously. What will the nurse do? A. Make sure to administer the drugs at different times using different IV tubing B. Suggest giving larger doses of piperacillin and discontinuing the amikacin. C. Suggest that a fixed-dose combination of piperacillin and tazobactam [Zosyn] be used. D. Watch the patient closely for allergic reactions, because this risk is increased with this combination.

A. Make sure to administer the drugs at different times using different IV tubing

A child with an ear infection is not responding to treatment with amoxicillin [Amoxil]. The nurse will expect the provider to order: A. amoxicillin-clavulanic acid [Augmentin]. B. ampicillin. C. nafcillin. D. penicillin G [Benzylpenicillin].

A. amoxicillin-clavulanic acid [Augmentin].

A patient will be discharged from the hospital with a prescription for TMP/SMZ [Bactrim]. When providing teaching for this patient, the nurse will tell the patient that it will be important to: A. drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. B. eat foods that are high in potassium. C. take the medication with food. D. take folic acid supplements.

A. drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day.

A patient received 500 mg of azithromycin [Zithromax] at 0800 as a first dose. What are the usual amount and time of the second dose of azithromycin? A. 250 mg at 2000 the same day B. 500 mg at 2000 the same day C. 250 mg at 0800 the next day D. 500 mg at 0800 the next day

C. 250 mg at 0800 the next day

A patient with HIV is prescribed saquinavir [Invirase]. It is most important for the nurse to monitor which laboratory value? A. Hemoglobin levels B. Platelet count C. Blood glucose levels D. Serum potassium levels

C. Blood glucose levels

The nurse delegates the cleaning of an automatic blood pressure machine to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). The nurse should instruct the UAP to use which agent to clean the equipment? A. Hexachlorophene B. A disinfectant, such as glutaraldehyde [Cidex Plus 28] C. An antiseptic, such as ethanol D. Povidone-iodine

B. A disinfectant, such as glutaraldehyde [Cidex Plus 28]

A patient asks the nurse what he can do to prevent influenza. What should the nurse do? A. Teach the patient about antiviral medications. B. Instruct the patient to obtain an influenza vaccination. C. Tell the patient that frequent hand washing is effective. D. Have the patient wear a mask when in public areas.

B. Instruct the patient to obtain an influenza vaccination

A patient is prescribed acyclovir [Zovirax] by mouth. The nurse should assess the patient for which adverse effects associated with oral acyclovir therapy? A. Stomatitis and gastritis B. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea C. Hives, difficulty breathing, and angioedema D. Tinnitus and decreased hearing

B. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

A nurse assisting a nursing student with medications asks the student to describe how penicillins (PCNs) work to treat bacterial infections. The student is correct in responding that penicillins: A. disinhibit transpeptidases. B. disrupt bacterial cell wall synthesis. C. inhibit autolysins. D. inhibit host cell wall function.

B. disrupt bacterial cell wall synthesis.

A 6-week-old infant who has not yet received immunizations develops a severe cough. While awaiting nasopharyngeal culture results, the nurse will expect to administer which antibiotic? A. Clindamycin [Cleocin] B. Doxycycline [Vibramycin] C. Erythromycin ethylsuccinate D. Penicillin G

C. Erythromycin ethylsuccinate

Which statement about oseltamivir [Tamiflu] does the nurse identify as true? A. Oseltamivir must be administered on an empty stomach. B. The drug is administered via an inhaler. C. Oseltamivir can be used to treat and prevent influenza. D. The drug is approved for use in infants 6 months of age or older.

C. Oseltamivir can be used to treat and prevent influenza.

Which compound can be used to treat localized skin infection and to irrigate wounds? A. Benzalkonium chloride (Bac) B. Hexachlorophene (Phisohex) C. Oxychlorosene sodium (Clorpactin WCS 90) D. Sodium Hypochlorite

C. Oxychlorosene sodium (Clorpactin WCS 90)

A patient is about to receive penicillin G for an infection that is highly sensitive to this drug. While obtaining the patient's medication history, the nurse learns that the patient experienced a rash when given amoxicillin [Amoxil] as a child 20 years earlier. What will the nurse do? A. Ask the provider to order a cephalosporin. B. Reassure the patient that allergic responses diminish over time. C. Request an order for a skin test to assess the current risk. D. Suggest using a desensitization schedule to administer the drug.

C. Request an order for a skin test to assess the current risk.

A patient is admitted to the hospital with fever, headache, malaise, joint pain, and enlarged lymph nodes. Blood cultures are positive for Treponema pallidum. The nurse recognizes this as which type of syphilis? A. Congenital B. Primary C. Secondary D. Tertiary

C. Secondary

The CDC recommends that before entering a patient's room, the nurse should do what? A. Wash hands with an antibacterial soap and water. B. Wash hands with a non-antibacterial soap and water. C. Use an alcohol-based handrub. D. Wash hands with chlorhexidine and water.

C. Use an alcohol-based handrub.

A nurse teaches a patient about sulfonamides. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching? A. "I need to drink extra fluids while taking this medication." B. "I need to use sunscreen when taking this drug." C. "I should call my provider if I develop a rash while taking this drug." D. "I should stop taking this drug when my symptoms are gone."

D. "I should stop taking this drug when my symptoms are gone."

A nurse is discussing microbial resistance among sulfonamides and trimethoprim with a nursing student. Which statement by the student indicates a need for further teaching? A. "Bacterial resistance to trimethoprim is relatively uncommon." B. "Resistance among gonococci, streptococci, and meningococci to sulfonamides is high." C. "Resistance to both agents can occur by spontaneous mutation of organisms." D. "Resistance to sulfonamides is less than resistance to trimethoprim."

D. "Resistance to sulfonamides is less than resistance to trimethoprim."

A hospitalized patient who is taking demeclocycline [Declomycin] reports increased urination, fatigue, and thirst. What will the nurse do? A. Contact the provider to report potential toxic side effects. B. Notify the provider to discuss changing the medication to doxycycline. C. Perform bedside glucometer testing to evaluate the serum glucose level D. Provide extra fluids and reassure the patient that these are expected side effects.

D. Provide extra fluids and reassure the patient that these are expected side effects.

A patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus takes glipizide. The patient develops a urinary tract infection, and the prescriber orders TMP/SMZ. What will the nurse tell the patient? A. Patients with diabetes have an increased risk of an allergic reaction. B. Patients taking TMP/SMZ may need increased doses of glipizide. C. The patient should check the blood glucose level more often while taking TMP/SMZ. Cor D. The patient should stop taking the glipizide while taking the TMP/SMZ.

D. The patient should stop taking the glipizide while taking the TMP/SMZ.

A healthcare worker has been exposed to B. anthracis on the hand. What is the most appropriate action by the healthcare worker? A. Apply an alcohol-based handrub to the hands. B. Start a systemic-based anti-infective drug. C. Soak the hand in povidone-iodine. D. Wash both hands with soap and water.

D. Wash both hands with soap and water.

A nurse is obtaining a drug history from a patient about to receive sulfadiazine. The nurse learns that the patient takes warfarin, glipizide, and a thiazide diuretic. Based on this assessment, the nurse will expect the provider to: A. change the antibiotic to TMP/SMZ. B. increase the dose of the glipizide. C. monitor the patient's electrolytes closely. D. monitor the patient's coagulation levels.

D. monitor the patient's coagulation levels.

During a routine screening, an asymptomatic, pregnant patient at 37 weeks' gestation learns that she has an infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. The nurse will expect the provider to order which drug? a. Azithromycin b. Doxycycline c. Erythromycin ethylsuccinate d. Sulfisoxazole

a. Azithromycin

An adolescent patient comes to the clinic complaining of a burning sensation upon urination and a pus-like discharge from the penis. The nurse is correct to suspect that the patient has which disorder? a. Gonorrhea b. Herpes simplex c. Nongonococcal urethritis d. Syphilis

a. Gonorrhea

A female patient has come to the STD clinic and has been diagnosed with a Trichomonas vaginalis infection. What education should be provided to this patient? a. Male partners should always be treated, even if they are asymptomatic. b. The applicator for the vaginal gel should be washed after each application. c. The infection is not completely eliminated with the medication. d. The medication should be taken twice daily for 2 weeks.

a. Male partners should always be treated, even if they are asymptomatic.

The nurse is administering Efavirenz (Sustiva) to a patient with AIDS. What will the nurse do? a. Offer St.Johns Wort with the medication to decrease depression b. Have the patient take the medication with icecream or a milkshake c. Give the medication without regard to meals d. Administer the medication on an empty stomach at bedtime

d. Administer the medication on an empty stomach at bedtime.

A patient has been prescribed Docosanol (Abreva) cream for herpes labialis. Which statement will the nurse include in patient teaching? a. Apply the cream twice a day b. Use of the cream will cut the duration of the herpes simplex lesion in half c. Many serious adverse effects are associated with use of this medication d. Apply the cream at the first sign of recurrence.

d. Apply the cream at the first sign of recurrence