EXAM 1 PRACTICE QUESTIONS

The nurse teaches a student nurse about the action of an antagonist medication. The nurse determines that teaching is successful if the student makes which statement? A. "Antagonists enhance the effects of natural transmitters." B. "Antagonists bind directly to nervous system receptors." C. "Antagonist medications prevent receptor activation." D. "Drugs that activate receptors are called antagonists."

"Antagonist medications prevent receptor activation."

The nurse cares for a patient with asthma who uses an albuterol (Ventolin) metered-dose inhaler. The nurse is most concerned if the patient makes which of the following statements? A.) "The medicine in the inhaler helps me to breathe." B.) "I can use the inhaler as often as needed." C.) "My hand starts to shake after I use the inhaler." D.) "If the inhaler doesn't work, I should dial 911."

"I can use the inhaler as often as needed."

The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving pramipexole [Mirapex]. The nurse is most concerned if the patient makes which statement? A.) "I take this pill even when I feel good." B.) "Sometimes I just fall asleep without warning." C.) "The pills make me sleepy, so I take a nap in the afternoon." D.) "I have noticed that this medicine makes me constipated."

"Sometimes I just fall asleep without warning."

A patient has been taking a medication for 2 months. Which statement, if made by the patient, would indicate to the nurse that drug tolerance is occurring? A.) "The medication seems to be working better than it did at first." B.) "I feel really sick if I do not take the medication every day." C.) "The side effects are not bothering me anymore." D.) "The medication does not seem to be working as well."

"The medication does not seem to be working as well."

The nurse instructs a patient with mysathenia graves who is taking neostigmine [Prostigmin]. Which statement, if made by the patient, indicates an understanding of the instructions? A.) "the antidote for this med is norepinephrine" B.) "an extra dose should be taken if paralysis occurs" C.) "a medical alert bracelet should be worn at all times" D.) The med will be prescribed for 2 to 3 months"

"a medical alert bracelet should be worn at all times"

In which of the following patients would Atropine be contraindicated? A. A patient with bradycardia B. A patient with glaucoma C. A preoperative patient D. A patient having an eye exam

A patient with glaucoma

The nurse cares for a patient with myasthenia gravis. Before administering pyridostigmine [Mestinon], it is most important for the nurse to take which action? A.) Assess the patient's ability to swallow a sip of water. B.) Cleanse the patient's skin before applying the transdermal patch. C.) Ask whether the patient has an allergy to aspirin. D.) Give the patient food or milk to prevent stomach upset.

Assess the patient's ability to swallow a sip of water

A patient is prescribed bethanechol [Urecholine] for urinary retention. If the patient exhibits signs of an overdose, such as increased salivation and sweating, bradycardia, or hypotension, which medication should the nurse administer? A.) Acetylcholine [Miochol-E] B.) Cevimeline [Evoxac] C.) Oxybutynin [Ditropan] D.) Atropine [AtroPen]

Atropine [AtroPen]

A patient receives a medication that results in activation of the muscarinic receptors of the heart. The nurse should assess the patient for which intended effect? A. Decreased heart rate B. Dysrhythmia suppression C. Increased heart rate D. Improved contractility

Decreased heart rate

A patient who has myasthenia gravis reports extreme muscle weakness. Which of the following medications should the nurse prepare to administer to distinguish myasthenic crisis from cholinergic crisis? A.) Echothiophate [Phospholine iodide] B.) Edrophonium [Tensilon] C.) Atropine [AtroPen] D.) Ambenonium [Mytelase]

Edrophonium [Tensilon]

After an intramuscular injection of penicillin, a patient develops severe difficulty breathing and a swollen tongue. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer? A.) Dopamine [Inotropin] B.) Epinephrine [Adrenalin] C.) Norepinephrine [Levophed] D.) Pseudoephedrine [Sudafed]

Epinephrine [Adrenalin]

A patient is newly prescribed carbamazepine [Tegretol] for seizure control. It is most important for the nurse to teach the patient to avoid which food? A.) Tomatoes B.) Grapefruit juice C.) Spinach D.) Kiwi fruit

Grapefruit juice

The nurse prepares to administer metoprolol (Lopressor) to a patient with chronic stable angina. What is a priority assessment to make before administration of this medication? A. Breath sounds B. Temperature C. Respiratory rate D. Heart rate

Heart rate

The nurse administers a medication to a patient that stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system function. The nurse should assess the patient for which intended effect? A. Reduced esophageal motility B. Improved bladder emptying C. Dilation of the pupils D. Decreased gastric secretion

Improved bladder emptying

A patient is prescribed a drug that causes selective stimulation of beta2 receptors. The nurse should assess the patient for what? A. Hypoglycemia B. Improved breathing C. Tachycardia D. Decreased pain

Improved breathing

A nurse administers a medication that activates dopamine receptors. The nurse should assess the patient for which intended effect? A.) Uterine muscle relaxation B.) Contraction of skeletal muscle C.) Improved renal perfusion D.) Decreased piloerection

Improved renal perfusion

The nurse administers a medication to a patient that stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. The nurse should assess the patient for which intended effect? A. Increased heart rate B. Blood pressure reduction C. Bronchial constriction D. Decreased blood glucose

Increased heart rate

A patient is receiving dopamine [Inotropin] for the treatment of shock. What would indicate to the nurse that the medication is effective? A.) Decreased mean arterial pressure B.) Gain of 2 kg in 24 hours C.) Increased heart rate D.) Increased urine output

Increased urine output

Which nursing actions would be most appropriate for ensuring patient safety with a medication that has a low therapeutic index? A.) Monitoring a patient's urine output B.) Assessing vital signs hourly C.) Maintaining strict isolation precautions D.) Monitoring serum peak and trough levels

Monitoring serum peak and trough levels

A patient is receiving a drug that blocks adrenergic receptors. Which adverse effect, if experienced by the patient, is of most concern to the nurse? A. Nasal congestion B. Orthostatic hypotension C. Inhibition of ejaculation D. Reflex tachycardia

Orthostatic hypotension

A patient is prescribed phenytoin (Dilantin) for epileptic seizures. What is the most important nursing action? A. Warn the patient against using alcoholic beverages. B. Tell the patient to take the medication with meals. C. Inform the patient about prevention of gingival hyperplasia. D. Teach the patient to avoid abrupt cessation of treatment.

Teach the patient to avoid abrupt cessation of treatment

When assessing older adults and those with renal dysfunction, the nurse knows that creatinine clearance is usually A.) substantially increased. B.) slightly increased. C.) decreased. D.) in the normal range

decreased

A patient sustains significant burns to the skin and is experiencing fluid shift associated with edema in the fluid overload phase. The nurse would anticipate that this will interfere most with which phase of pharmacodynamics? A.) Absorption B.) Distribution C.) Metabolism D.) Excretion

distribution

A patient has liver and kidney disease. He is given a medication with a half-life of 30 hours. The nurse expects the duration of this medication to A.) increase. B.) decrease. C.) remain unchanged. D.) dissipate

increase

The nurse administers a medication to a patient that stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. The nurse should assess the patient for which intended effect? A.) Increased heart rate B.) Blood pressure reduction C.) Bronchial constriction D.) Decreased blood glucose level

increased heart rate

Most drugs are metabolized in the A. kidney. B. small intestine. C. liver. D. brain.

liver