FINAL Pharm example questions

The nurse should teach clients that the primary use of mast cell inhibitors in the treatment of asthma is for which of the following? Select one:

To prevent asthmatic attacks

The client receives diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to control allergic symptoms. Which common symptom does the nurse teach the client to report to the physician?

Urinary hesitancy

The client tells the nurse that her symptoms have become worse since she has been using oxymetazoline (Afrin) for nasal congestion. What is the best assessment question for the nurse to ask?

"How long have you been using the medication?"

A patient's provider has recommended a bulk-forming laxative for occasional constipation. Which statement by the patient indicates an understanding of the teaching about this agent?

"I should take each dose with a full glass of water"

The client diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is prescribed the sulfonylurea glipizide (Glucotrol). Which statement by the client warrants intervention by the nurse?

"I usually have a glass of wine or two with my evening meal."

A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of sildenafil [Viagra] for erectile dysfunction. Which statement by the patient indicates an understanding of the teaching?

"If my erection lasts longer than 4 hours, I should contact my provider"

The client is prescribed amoxicillin (Amoxil) for 10 days to treat strep throat. After 5 days, the client tells the nurse he plans to stop the medication because he feels better. What is the best response by the nurse?

"If you stop the medicine early you have not effectively killed out the bacteria making you sick."

The patient has a potassium level of 5.9 mEq/L. The nurse is administering glucose and insulin. The patient's wife says, "He doesn't have diabetes, why is he getting insulin?" What is the best response by the nurse?

"Insulin will cause his extra potassium to go into his cells and lower the blood level."

The client receives estrogen for prostate cancer. He asks the nurse why he is receiving a female hormone. What is the best response by the nurse?

"It suppresses secretion of the androgens that make your cancer grow"

The patient has been receiving amitriptyline (Elavil) for 2 weeks. He tells the nurse he doesn't think this medicine is working, as he is still depressed. What is the best response by the nurse?

"It's working, but it can take several weeks to have an effect"

The patient receives aspirin. The nurse assesses an adverse effect to this drug when the patient makes which response?

"My stools have been dark in color"

The nurse prepares a patient with Graves' disease for radioactive iodine 131 therapy. Which statement made by the patient best demonstrates an understanding of 131 therapy?

"This drug will be taken up by the thyroid gland and will destroy the cells to reduce my hyperthyroidism."

The nurse completes medication education for the client receiving antihistamines. The nurse evaluates that learning has occurred when the client makes which statement?

"This medication could make me very sleepy"

The nurse is discharging a client diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which discharge instructions should the nurse provide regarding the client's prescription for prednisone, a glucocorticoid? Select one:

"This medication should not be abruptly discontinued"

A mother asks the nurse when she should give her child cough medicine. What is the best response by the nurse?

"When he has a dry cough and cannot rest"

A nurse is teaching a client who has a urinary tract infection and is taking ciprofloxacin (Cipro). Which of the following instructions should the nurse give to the client? Select one:

"You should report tendon discomfort while taking this medication."

The client who has had a gastric bypass surgery asks the nurse, "Why do I need to take vitamin B12 injections?" Which statement is the nurse's best response? Select one:

"Your body cannot absorb the vitamin from the food you eat."

A nurse is discussing various ways to obtain a medical abortion with a patient. Which statement by the patient best demonstrates an understanding of mifepristone (RU 486) [Mifeprex]? "This drug is most effective if I use it:

"within 7 weeks of conception"

When metronidazole [Flagyl] is a component of the H. pylori treatment regimen, the patient must be instructed to do what?

Avoid any alcoholic beverages

The client receives nystatin (Nilstat) for a fungal infection in the mouth. The nurse plans to do medication education prior to discharge. What will the best plan by the nurse include?

Dissolve the oral tablet in your mouth and then swallow it

Angioedema and cough are unwanted side effects of which class of medications? Select one:

ACE inhibitors

Which drug is most likely to be ordered for the client with herpes simplex virus?

Acyclovir (Zovirax)

The client experiences nausea and vomiting soon after chemotherapy treatments. What is the best action by the nurse?

Administer an antiemetic 1-2 hour before chemotherapy

The physician orders penicillin for a female client who has a sinus infection. What is a priority question to ask the client prior to administering the medication?

Are you taking birth control pills?

The infection control nurse notices a rise in nosocomial infection rates on a unit. Which action should the nurse implement first?

Arrange to observe the staff and handwashing practices

Which should the nurse assess prior to administering a loop diuretic to a client diagnosed with heart failure?

Assess the client's serum potassium

The client received cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant medication for cancer treatment. What is important for the nurse to teach the client about this medication?

Avoid crowds

Which nonpharmaceutical interventions can be used to reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Avoiding late-night meals, Stopping smoking

A client who has sickle cell anemia is admitted to the hospital. The client reports severe pain. Which action per provider order does the nurse do first?

Begin intravenous fluids at 250 mL/hr

A client is receiving metoprolol (Lopressor SR). What assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?

Blood pressure

Metoprolol (Lopressor ) a beta blocker has been ordered for a client with hypertension. Because of adverse effects related to this drug, the nurse would carefully monitor for which adverse effect?

Bradycardia

A client with cystic fibrosis has been taking acetylcysteine, a mucolytic. Which adverse effect would the nurse assess for?

Bronchospasm

Which complication should the nurse assess for in the elderly client newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism who has been newly prescribed levothyroxine (Synthroid)?

Cardiac Dysrhythmias

The client diagnosed with moderate benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is being treated with the alphaadrenergic agonist tamsulosin (Flomax). Which interventions should the nurse implement?

Check the client's blood pressure

assesses an upper body rash and decreased urine output. What is the nurse's priority action?

Hold the next dose of vancomycin (Vancocin) and notify the physician.

Which condition would cause the nurse to withhold a PRN order for magnesium hydroxide?

Chronic renal failure

Which assessment data best indicates the client with type 1 diabetes is adhering to the medical treatment regimen?

Client's hemoglobin A1C is 5.8%

A patient admitted to the hospital has a history of peptic ulcer disease. The patient takes ranitidine [Zantac] and sucralfate [Carafate]. The patient tells the nurse that discomfort is usually controlled but that symptoms occasionally flare-up. What will the nurse do?

Counsel the patient to avoid beverages containing caffeine

Which of the following laboratory tests will be performed to determine whether a specific bacterium is resistant to a specific drug? Select one:

Culture and sensitivity test

A nurse is caring for a client who is taking lisinopril. Which of the following outcomes indicates a therapeutic effect of the medication?

Decreased blood pressure

A nurse is providing education to a patient who will begin taking alendronate [Fosamax]. Which complication should the patient be instructed to report immediately?

Difficulty swallowing

Which information should the nurse discuss with the patient diagnosed with COPD who is prescribed theophylline, a xanthine bronchodilator? Select one:

Discuss the need to avoid large amounts of caffeine-containing drinks.

What category of insulin is rapid-acting?

Humalog

A client with congestive heart failure (CHF) is being discharged with a new prescription for the angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril (Capoten). The nurses discharge instruction should include reporting which problem to the healthcare provider? Select one:

Dizziness

Discharge planning for the client prescribed tetracycline will include which instruction?

Do not take the mediacation with milk

A client is prescribed lisinopril for the treatment of hypertension. The client asks a nurse about possible adverse effects. Which common adverse effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors would the nurse include in the teaching?

Dry cough, hypotension, headache

Which statement is accurate concerning the use of aspirin (ASA) to treat pain?

Enteric-coated capsules are available to reduce GI side effects

When sensors detect a change in a hormone level, the hormonal response is regulated by _____ mechanisms that will return the level to within normal range.

Feedback

What is the most reliable measure for assessing diabetes control over the preceding 3-month period? Select one:

Glycosylated hemoglobin level

Antihistamines block the actions of histamine at the:

H1 receptor sites

Which assessment finding, by the nurse, is a priority concern when a client receives pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)?

Heart rate 82 and irregular

A patient is to receive a beta-agonist. Before administration of this medication, which assessment finding would most concern the nurse? Select one:

Heart rate of 110 BPM

The client is diagnosed with pernicious anemia. Which health-care provider order should the nurse anticipate in treating this condition? Select one:

IM Vitamin B12

You are writing a care plan for a client on an anti-infective drug. What would be an appropriate intervention to reduce the accumulation of the drug in the kidney? Select one:

Increase fluids

The nurse is discussing the thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Synthroid) with the client diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Which intervention should the nurse discuss with the client?

Instruct the client to report any significant weight changes

A client is to be started on furosemide. Which interventions would be included in the teaching plan?

Instruct the client to take the medication as directed, tell the client to alert the health care provider about any visible edema, advise the client to reduce sodium intake

Which statement best describes the pharmacodynamics of insulin?

Insulin lowers blood glucose by promoting the use of glucose in the body cells

A patient with type 1 diabetes is eating breakfast at 7:30 AM. Blood sugars are on a sliding scale and are ordered before a meal and at bedtime. The patient's blood sugar level is 317 mg/dL. Which formulation of insulin should the nurse prepare to administer?

Lispro (Humalog)

A nurse teaches a client who is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Which statement should the nurse include in this client's plan of care to delay the onset of microvascular and macrovascular complications?

Maintain tight glycemic control and prevent hyperglycemia

The nurse is caring for a patient with a history of atrial fibrillation who takes digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.5 mg/day. Which of the following assessments should cause the nurse to hold the patient's dose?

Pulse rate of 48 beats per minute

A nurse reviews the medication list of a client recovering from a computed tomography (CT) scan with IV contrast to rule out small bowel obstruction. Which medication should alert the nurse to contact the provider and withhold the prescribed dose?

Metformin (Glucophage)

The client diagnosed with adult respiratory distress syndrome has been found to have a disease-causing resistant organism and is being prescribed an aminoglycoside (Vancomycin). Which intervention should the nurse implement? Select one:

Monitor for therapeutic blood levels of Vancomycin

The nurse should assess the client receiving Gentamycin, an aminoglycoside, for which of the following specific toxicities?

Nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity

The nurse is caring for a patient on a medical-surgical unit who has a fever of unknown origin. The prescriber has ordered a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Which intervention is the priority?

Obtaining all cultures before the antibiotic is administered

A patient who has erectile dysfunction asks a nurse whether sildenafil [Viagra] would be a good medication for him to take. Which aspect of this patient's history would be of most concern?

Occasional use of nitroglycerin

The client comes to the emergency department with a head injury, broken ribs, and internal bleeding. Opioid analgesics are contraindicated. What does the nurse recognize as the primary rationale for this? Select one:

Opioids can mask changes in the client's level of consciousness.

Which statement is the scientific rationale for administering a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to a client with GERD?

PPI medications inhibit the enzyme that generates gastric acid

Which are contraindications for taking sildenafil [Viagra]?

Patients who are taking nitroglycerin for angina pectoris

A patient who takes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for arthritis asks a nurse what can be done to prevent ulcers. The nurse will recommend asking the provider about using which medication?

Protein Pump inhibitors

A patient is taking bismuth subsalicylate [Pepto-Bismol] to prevent diarrhea. The nurse performing an assessment notes that the patient's tongue is black. What will the nurse do?

Reassure the patient that this is an expected side effect of the drug

A centrally acting antitussives, such as opioids, has been prescribed for a client. The nurse understands these medications are used to:

Relieve a severe cough

Centrally acting antitussives, such as opioids, are used to

Relieve severe cough

The health care provider prescribes celecoxib (Celebrex) for a client with osteoarthritis. What health teaching will the nurse provide for this client regarding this drug?

Report frequent eposides of indigestion, call 911 if chest pain occurs, and stop the medication if any unusual bleeding is present

A nurse reviews the laboratory results of a client who is receiving intravenous insulin. Which should alert the nurse to intervene immediately?

Serum potassium level of 2.5 mmol/L

Which medication should be used for asthma patients as part of step 1 management?

Short-acting beta2 agonists

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 90/48 mm Hg. What will the nurse do?

Stop the medication, contact the provider, and prepare to administer epinephrine

The nurse is providing education to a patient who has been prescribed both an antacid and a cimetidine [Tagamet]. Which instruction should the nurse give the patient about taking the medications? Select one:

Take the antacid 1 hour after the ranitidine

The client diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia is being discharged. Which discharge instructions should the nurse include regarding the oral iron preparation prescribed?

Tell the client that his or her stools will be green/black

A patient will begin taking hydroxychloroquine [Plaquenil] for rheumatoid arthritis. The patient is currently taking high-dose NSAIDs and methotrexate. What will the nurse teach the patient?

That an eye exam is necessary at the beginning of therapy with this drug

The nurse is working on a high acuity medical surgical unit and is prioritizing care for four patients who were recently admitted. Which patient should the nurse assess first?

The NPO patient with a blood glucose of 80 mg/dL who just received 20 units of Humalog (Lispro) insulin

The client has diabetes type 1 and receives insulin for glycemic control. The client tells the nurse that she likes to have a glass of wine with dinner. What will the best plan by the nurse for client education include?

The alcohol could predispose you to hypoglycemia

A patient with type 1 diabetes who takes insulin reports taking propranolol for hypertension. Why is the nurse concerned?

The beta blocker can mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia

The client has developed Cushing's syndrome as a result of long-term steroid therapy. Which assessment findings support this condition?

The client has a round face and a buffalo hump on their back

The client with diverticulosis is prescribed the stool surfactant docusate sodium. Which assessment data indicates the medication is effective?

The client has soft, brown stools

The nurse is assessing the client diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Which signs and symptoms would indicate medical treatment has been effective?

The client is able to perform ADL's without dypnea

The physician prescribes fluticasone (Flonase) for the client. The nurse would hold the drug and contact the physician with which assessment finding

The client is pregnant

The client takes diphenhydramine (Benadryl) but forgets to tell the physician about this drug when a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) drug is prescribed for depression. What will the best assessment by the nurse reveal

The client may develop a hypertensive crisis

These patients are receiving chemotherapy. Which patient should the nurse see first?

The patient with a fever of 100.3°F

The client received diphenhydramine, a first-generation antihistamine, to control allergic symptoms. The nurse is educating the client on the side effects of this medication. Which of the following is a side effect of this medication?

Urinary retention

Hyperthyroidism that is inadequately treated can cause a life-threatening condition known as thyroid storm. What are the manifestations of a thyroid storm?

Very high fever, delirium, tachycardia

The emergency department nurse admitted a client on warfarin with multiple hematomas and has an elevated INR (international normalized ratio) of 7.2. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer?

Vitamin K

The female client has a fungal infection and will receive nystatin (Mycostatin). What assessment data is critical for the nurse to review prior to administering this medication?

Whether the patient could be pregnant

The patient diagnosed with COPD is prescribed methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol), a glucocorticoid, IVP (IV push). Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor?

blood glucose level

A 44-year-old client taking digoxin (Lanoxin), a cardiac glycoside, develops blurred vision with yellow halos in his visual field. The professional nurse recognizes that the visual change may indicate:

digoxin toxicity

A patient is beginning therapy with oral methotrexate [Rheumatrex] for rheumatoid arthritis. The nurse will teach this patient about the importance of:

having routine renal and hepatic function tests

Your patient is receiving Flovent, an inhaled corticosteroid, to treat his asthma. Patient teaching should include which of the following: Select one:

instructed to rinse his mouth after using Flovent to minimize the chance of oral fungal infection

A patient with renal disease is scheduled for a colonoscopy. Before the procedure, the nurse will anticipate administering:

polyethylene glycol and electrolytes (G0-Litely)

A patient is admitted to the hospital and will begin taking levothyroxine [Synthroid]. The nurse learns that the patient also takes warfarin [Coumadin]. The nurse will notify the provider to discuss ____ the ____ dose. Select one:

reducing; warfarin

A nurse preparing to administer intravenous gentamicin to a patient note that the dose is half the usual dose for an adult. The nurse suspects that this is because this patient has a past medical history of:

renal disease

A patient who has developed postmenopausal osteoporosis will begin taking alendronate [Fosamax]. The nurse will teach this patient to take the drug:

while sitting upright with plenty of water