Pharmacology Final Exam Study Questions

A nurse is instructing the caregiver of a toddler who has bacterial conjunctivitis and a new prescription for an ophthalmic ointment. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide? "Always wipe from the outer to the inner canthus when wiping away secretions." "Use a sterile glove and applicator to apply the antibiotic ointment." "Ask the child to look down before applying the ointment." "Apply the ointment in a thin line into the conjunctival sac."

"Apply the ointment in a thin line into the conjunctival sac."

A young adult calls the clinic to ask for a prescription for "that new flu drug." He says he has had the flu for almost 4 days and just heard about a drug that can reduce the symptoms. What is the nurse's best response to his request? "Now that you've had the flu, you will need a booster vaccination, not the antiviral drug." "We'll get you a prescription. As long as you start treatment within the next 24 hours, the drug should be effective." "We will need to do a blood test to verify that you actually have the flu." "Drug therapy should be started within 2 days of symptom onset, not 4 days."

"Drug therapy should be started within 2 days of symptom onset, not 4 days."

The patient has been taking an over-the-counter (OTC) acid-reducing drug because he has had "stomach problems" for several months. He tells the nurse that the medicine helps as long as he takes it, but once he stops it, the symptoms return. Which statement by the nurse is the best advice for this patient? "The over-the-counter dosage may not be strong enough. You should be taking prescription-strength for best effects." "Using this drug may relieve your symptoms, but it does not address the cause. Please make an appointment with your health care provider." "For best results, you need to watch what you eat in addition to taking this drug." "The over-the-counter drug has helped you, so you should continue to take it."

"Using this drug may relieve your symptoms, but it does not address the cause. Please make an appointment with your health care provider."

A clinic nurse prepares a teaching plan for a client receiving an anti-neoplastic medication. When implementing the plan, the nurse should make which statement to the client? "You can take aspirin as needed for headache." "It is fine to receive a flu vaccine at the local health fair without HCP approval because the flu is so contagious." "You need to consult with the healthcare provider before receiving immunizations." "You can drink beverages containing alcohol in moderate amounts each evening."

"You need to consult with the healthcare provider before receiving immunizations."

A nurse is teaching a client who has a urinary tract infection (UTI) and is taking ciprofloxacin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give to the client? "If the medicine causes an upset stomach, take an antacid at the same time." "You should report any tendon discomfort you experience while taking this medication." "This medication can cause photophobia, so be sure to wear sunglasses outdoors." "Limit your daily fluid intake while taking this medication."

"You should report any tendon discomfort you experience while taking this medication."

A nurse is preparing to administer 250 mg of an antibiotic IM. Available is 3 g/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number/tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: Give ___________ mL per dose.

0.6

A healthcare provider's prescription reads phenytoin 0.2 g orally twice daily. The medication label states that each capsule is 100 mg. The nurse prepares how many capsule(s) to administer one dose? (Write the number only, no label) ________ capsule(s)

2

A nurse is working in an immunization clinic. A new colleague asks, "When is the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DtaP, Daptacel) given?" The nurse knows that this series is started at what age? At birth 3 months 6 weeks 1 year

6 weeks

A nurse is preparing to administer dextrose 5% in water (D5W) 150 mL IV to infuse over 3 hr. The drop factor of the manual IV tubing is 10 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the manual IV infusion to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: __________gtt/min

8

The nurse is monitoring the laboratory results of a client receiving an anti-neoplastic medication by IV route. The nurse plans to initiate bleeding precautions if which laboratory result is noted? A platelet count of 50,000 mm3 A white blood cell count of 5000 mm3 An ammonia level of 10mcg/dL A clotting time of 10 minutes

A platelet count of 50,000 mm3

When giving chemotherapy as a cancer treatment, the nurse recognizes that toxicity to rapidly growing normal cells also occurs. Which rapidly growing normal cells are also harmed by chemotherapy? (Select all that apply) A. Bone marrow cells B. Hair follicle cells C. Retinal cells D. Nerve mylelin cells E. Gastrointestinal mucous membrane cells

A. Bone marrow cells B. Hair follicle cells E. Gastrointestinal mucous membrane cells

A nurse is preparing to administer vaccines to a 12 month-old child. Which of the following vaccines should the nurse give? (Select all that apply.) A. Measles, mumps rubella (MMR) B. Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) C. Varicella (VAR) D. Rotavirus (RV) E. Human papillomavirus (HPV4)

A. Measles, mumps rubella (MMR) C. Varicella (VAR)

A client with arthritis increases the dose of ibuprofen to abate joint discomfort. After several weeks, the client becomes increasingly weak. The health care provider determines that the client is severely anemic and admits the client to the hospital. Which clinical indicators does the nurse expect to identify when performing an admission assessment? Select all that apply A. Melena B. Constipation C. Clay-colored stools D. Tachycardia E. Painful urination

A. Melena D. Tachycardia

While teaching a patient about the possible adverse effects of an interferon, the nurse should mention which effects? (Select all that apply) A. Myalgia B. Fever C. Diarrhea D. Fatigue E. Chills F. Dizziness

A. Myalgia B. Fever C. Diarrhea D. Fatigue E. Chills

A client has a urinary tract infection and is started on ciprofloxacin. Which of the following information about adverse reactions should the nurse include during discharge teaching? (Select all that apply) A. Observe for pain and swelling of the Achilles tendon B. Watch for vaginal yeast infections C. Expect excessive nighttime perspiration D. Inspect the mouth for cottage cheese like lesions E. Take the medication with a diary product

A. Observe for pain and swelling of the Achilles tendon B. Watch for vaginal yeast infections D. Inspect the mouth for cottage cheese like lesions

What are the desired outcomes that the nurse expects when administering a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug? Select all that apply A. Pain relief B. Antipyresis C. Reduced inflammation D. Diuresis E. Bronchodilation F. Anti-coagulation

A. Pain relief B. Antipyresis C. Reduced inflammation

The nurse is reviewing the history of a patient who has a new order for a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to treat tendonitis. Which conditions are contraindications to the use of NSAIDs? (Select all that apply.) A. Vitamin K deficiency B. Arthralgia C. Peptic ulcer disease D. Documented aspirin allergy E. Pericarditis

A. Vitamin K deficiency C. Peptic ulcer disease D. Documented aspirin allergy

A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for transdermal nitroglycerin to treat angina pectoris. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching? Apply the transdermal patch in the morning Apply a new transdermal patch once a week Apply the transdermal patch in the same location as the previous Apply a new transdermal patch when chest pain is experienced.

Apply the transdermal patch in the morning

The nurse is reviewing the orders for a patient who has been admitted for treatment for pnemonia. The antibiotic ordered is doxycycline. The client tells the nurse that he is allergic to doxycycline. What is the nurse's priority action at this time? Ask the pharmacist to order a different antibiotic. Ask the client to explain what happened when he had the allergic reaction. Call the prescriber to clarify the order because of the client's allergy. Administer the drug with an antihistamine to reduce adverse effects.

Ask the client to explain what happened when he had the allergic reaction.

The nurse is adding more than one medication to a solution. What action is most important at this time? Use the same needle for both medications Add the drugs at least 1 hour apart Assess the two drugs for compatibility Use an equal volume of each medication

Assess the two drugs for compatibility

When considering the ABCs, which adverse effect associated with NNRTI antiviral medications should be given priority when identified? Asthenia Anorexia Anxiety Atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation

The nurse will warn the patient taking metronidazole about which possible side effect? (Select all that apply) A. Reddish-orange urine B. Anorexia C. Cough D. Weakness E. Headache F. A metallic taste in the mouth

B. Anorexia C. Cough D. Weakness E. Headache

A client prescribed a CCR5-Receptor Antagonist should be regularly monitored for which complication? (Select all that apply) A. Gastrointestinal bleeding B. Electrolyte imbalance C. Renal failure D. Infection E. Cough

B. Electrolyte imbalance C. Renal failure D. Infection E. Cough

When giving a medication via IV push, how will the nurse correctly occlude the IV line? By pinching the tubing at least 2 inches above the injection port It is not necessary to occlude the tubing for this procedure By folding the tubing just below the injection port By pinching the tubing just above the injection port

By pinching the tubing just above the injection port

A nurse is preparing to administer ampicillin oral suspension to an older adult client who has difficulty swallowing pills. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? Store the medication at room temperature. Check the client for a penicillin allergy. Avoid shaking the medication before administering. Monitor the client for constipation.

Check the client for a penicillin allergy.

The nurse is aware that excessive drug dosages, impaired metabolism, or inadequate excretion may result in which drug effect? Incompatibility Cumulative effect Tolerance Antagonistic effect

Cumulative effect

A nurse is caring for a client who has an infection and a prescription for gentamicin intermittent IV bolus every 8 hr. A peak and trough is required with the next dose. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to obtain an accurate gentamicin serum level? Draw a peak level at 0900 and a trough level at 2100. Draw a trough level immediately prior to administering the medication and a peak level 30 min after the dose. Draw a trough level at 0900 and a peak level at 2100. Draw a peak level 90 min prior to administering the medication and a trough level 90 min after the dose.

Draw a trough level immediately prior to administering the medication and a peak level 30 min after the dose.

The nurse notes in a patient's medication history that the patient is taking allopurinol. Based on this finding, the nurse interprets that the patient has which disorder? Osteoarthritis Systemic lupus erythematosus Gout Rheumatoid arthritis

Gout

A sanitation worker has experienced a needle stick by a contaminated needle that was placed in a trash can. The employee health nurse expects that which drug will be used to provide passive immunity to hepatitis B infection? Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Hepatitis B virus vaccine (inactivated) (Recombivax HB) Varicella virus vaccine (Varivax) Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (BayHep B)

Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (BayHep B)

A mother brings her toddler into the emergency department and tells the nurse that she thinks the toddler has eaten an entire bottle of chewable aspirin tablets. The nurse will assess for which most common signs of salicylate intoxication in children? Photosensitivity and nervousness Hyperventilation and drowsiness Tinnitus and hearing loss Acute gastrointestinal bleeding

Hyperventilation and drowsiness

Nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a prescription for digoxin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an adverse effect of the medication? I've had a backache for several days I can walk a mile a day I feel nauseated and have no appetite I am urinating more frequently

I feel nauseated and have no appetite

Chemotherapy dosage is frequently based on total body surface area (BSA), so it is important for the nurse to perform which assessment before administering chemotherapy? Ask the client about his or her weight or height. Measure the client's current weight and height. Calculate the client's body mass index. Measure the client's abdominal girth.

Measure the client's current weight and height.

The nurse is reviewing principles of immunization. What type of immunization occurs when antibodies pass from mother to infant during breast feeding? Artificial active immunization Natural passive immunization Natural active immunization Artificial passive immunization

Natural passive immunization

A nurse is implementing a plan of care for a client who has a wound infection. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first? Administer Antibiotic Medication Obtain a wound specimen for culture Review WBC laboratory findings Apply a dressing to the wound

Obtain a wound specimen for culture

Leslie's laboratory monitors drug distribution rates between various body compartments, from absorption through excretion. Recently, her laboratory was able to suggest a positive change in the dosage regimen for an injectable drug, bringing her firm a prestigious award. Which field of study does this description correspond with? Pharmacodynamics Pharmacotherapeutics Pharmacogenomics Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics

During medication administration, which will the nurse consider to be a contraindication to the administration of rectal suppositories? Fever Vomiting Constipation Rectal bleeding

Rectal bleeding

When administer vancomycin, the nurse knows that which of these is most important to assess before giving the medication? Platelet count Renal Function WBC count Liver Function

Renal Function

During morning medication administration, the nurse discovered an error on the electronic MAR before the medication was given. Which action by the nurse is appropriate for this "near-miss?" Notify the pharmacy about the error they almost caused. Correct the MAR error but say nothing because nothing happened. Report the near-miss using the facility's recommended protocol, and correct the error on the MAR. Report the near-miss to the next shift before the next dose is due.

Report the near-miss using the facility's recommended protocol, and correct the error on the MAR.

A 45-year-old man has received a series of immunizing drugs in preparation for a trip to a developing country. Within hours, his wife brings him to the emergency department because he has developed edema of the face, tongue, and throat and is having trouble breathing. The nurse suspects that, based on the patient's history and symptoms, he is experiencing which condition? Cross-sensitivity Thrombocytopenic purpura Serum sickness Adenopathy

Serum sickness

A patient is starting therapy with adalimumab after a course of therapy with Trexall failed to improve the patient's condition. The nurse recognizes that this patient is being treated for which condition? Advanced-stage cancer Systemic lupus erythematosus Multiple sclerosis Severe rheumatoid arthritis

Severe rheumatoid arthritis

A nurse is caring for a client who has streptococcal pneumonia and a prescription for penicillin G by intermittent IV bolus. 10 minutes into the infusion of the third dose, the client reports that the IV site itches and that he feels dizzy and short of breath. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? Call the client's provider. Stop the infusion. Elevate the head of the bed. Auscultate the client's breath sounds.

Stop the infusion.

The nurse is caring for a patient with dysphagia. When new medication is prescribed, what suggestion should the nurse make as to the form of medication to best address the client's needs? Capsule Suspension Enteric-coated Sustained-release

Suspension

When administering a new medication to a patient, the nurse reads that it is highly protein bound. Assuming that the patient's albumin levels are normal, the nurse would expect which result, as compared to a medication, that is not highly protein bound? The duration of action of the medication will be shorter. The drug will be metabolized quickly. The duration of action of the medication will be longer. Renal excretion will be faster.

The duration of action of the medication will be longer.

The nurse is monitoring a patient who has been on antibiotic therapy for 2 weeks. Today the patient tells the nurse that he has had watery diarrhea since the day before and is having abdominal cramps. His oral temperature is 101° F (38.3° C). Based on these findings, which conclusion will the nurse draw? The patient's original infection has not responded to the antibiotic therapy. The patient is showing typical adverse effects of antibiotic therapy. The patient will need to take a different antibiotic. The patient needs to be tested for Clostridium difficile infection.

The patient needs to be tested for Clostridium difficile infection.

The nurse is concerned about the margin of safety for a newly prescribed medication. When reviewing medication information, which should the nurse focus on? Serum concentration Therapeutic index Trough level Peak level

Therapeutic index

When giving sublingual medications, the nurse recalls that medications given by this route have which advantage? They are excreted rapidly They are metabolized immediately They are immediately absorbed They are distributed equally

They are immediately absorbed

A patient is taking a combination of antiviral drugs as treatment for early stages of a viral infection. While discussing the drug therapy, the patient asks the nurse if the drugs will kill the virus. When answering, the nurse keeps in mind which fact about antiviral drugs? They may also kill healthy cells while killing viruses. They can be given in large enough doses to eradicate the virus without harming the body's healthy cells. They will be effective as long as the patient is not exposed to the virus again. They are given for palliative reasons only.

They may also kill healthy cells while killing viruses.

The nurse is giving liquid medications through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube. Which technique is correct? Administering the medications using a 3-mL medication syringe Applying firm pressure on the syringe's piston to infuse the medication Using the barrel of the syringe, allowing the medication to flow via gravity into the tube Flushing the tubing with 30 mL of saline after the medication has been given

Using the barrel of the syringe, allowing the medication to flow via gravity into the tube

A patient with HIV who has been started on antiretroviral therapy is seen in the clinic for follow-up. Which test will be the best to monitor when determining the response therapy? CD4 level Complete blood count Total lymphocyte percent Viral load

Viral load

A client has been taking an antibiotic for a urinary tract infection (UTI) and calls the nurse to complain of severe vaginal itching. She has also noticed a thick, whitish vaginal discharge. The nurse suspects that the UTI is resistant to the antibiotic a super infection has developed the client is having an allergic reaction the UTI has become worse instead of better.

a super infection has developed