ATI Pharmacology Made Easy Exam Questions
| Introduction to Pharmacology NCLEX-RN
Practice Test |
20 Original NCLEX NGN Pharmacology
Questions with Detailed Rationales |
Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide PDF
Question 1
Clinical Scenario
A newly hired nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a
client with hypertension. The medication administration record
lists metoprolol 50 mg PO daily. The nurse notices that another
client on the unit receives metolazone 5 mg PO daily.
Question Stem
Which action is most appropriate to prevent a medication
error?
, • Administer both medications at the same time to improve
efficiency.
• Verify the medication name and indication with the
electronic medication record before administration.
• Ask another nurse to administer the medication instead.
• Delay administration until the provider is available to
review all medications.
Correct Answer: B. Verify the medication name and indication
with the electronic medication record before administration.
Detailed Rationale
Metoprolol (a beta blocker) and metolazone (a thiazide-like
diuretic) are look-alike/sound-alike medications frequently
involved in medication errors. The safest action is to
independently verify the medication name, dose, route, and
indication using the electronic medication record and the rights
of medication administration before giving the drug. This
directly addresses the risk of administering the wrong
medication.
Option A is unsafe because efficiency should never take priority
over medication verification. Option C avoids responsibility
rather than using a systematic safety process. Option D
unnecessarily delays therapy; the nurse can safely verify the
,order without waiting for the provider unless the order itself is
unclear.
Medication reconciliation, barcode scanning, and verification of
the medication indication are essential safety strategies,
especially when medications have similar names. Nurses should
compare the medication label with the MAR at least three
times and confirm that the medication matches the client’s
diagnosis.
Learning Objective
• Identify strategies to prevent look-alike/sound-alike
medication errors.
• Apply the rights of medication administration during
medication preparation.
• Recognize the importance of verifying the medication
indication before administration.
Medication Safety Focus: Look-alike/sound-alike medication
prevention
Question 2
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro to a client with
type 1 diabetes. The client’s breakfast tray has not yet arrived.
Question Stem
, Which action should the nurse take first?
• Administer the insulin and document the dose.
• Hold the insulin and notify the provider.
• Verify that the meal tray is available before administering
the insulin.
• Administer half the prescribed dose until the tray arrives.
Correct Answer: C. Verify that the meal tray is available before
administering the insulin.
Detailed Rationale
Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin that begins working within
minutes. Administering it without food immediately available
places the client at significant risk for hypoglycemia. The nurse
should first ensure that the meal tray is present and the client is
ready to eat before giving the dose.
Option A is unsafe because insulin may lower blood glucose
before carbohydrates are consumed. Option B is unnecessary
because the order itself is appropriate; the timing requires
adjustment. Option D changes the prescribed dose without a
provider order and does not eliminate the hypoglycemia risk.
Rapid-acting insulin is considered a high-alert medication,
meaning errors can cause significant harm. Nurses should
coordinate insulin administration with meals, verify blood
| Introduction to Pharmacology NCLEX-RN
Practice Test |
20 Original NCLEX NGN Pharmacology
Questions with Detailed Rationales |
Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide PDF
Question 1
Clinical Scenario
A newly hired nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a
client with hypertension. The medication administration record
lists metoprolol 50 mg PO daily. The nurse notices that another
client on the unit receives metolazone 5 mg PO daily.
Question Stem
Which action is most appropriate to prevent a medication
error?
, • Administer both medications at the same time to improve
efficiency.
• Verify the medication name and indication with the
electronic medication record before administration.
• Ask another nurse to administer the medication instead.
• Delay administration until the provider is available to
review all medications.
Correct Answer: B. Verify the medication name and indication
with the electronic medication record before administration.
Detailed Rationale
Metoprolol (a beta blocker) and metolazone (a thiazide-like
diuretic) are look-alike/sound-alike medications frequently
involved in medication errors. The safest action is to
independently verify the medication name, dose, route, and
indication using the electronic medication record and the rights
of medication administration before giving the drug. This
directly addresses the risk of administering the wrong
medication.
Option A is unsafe because efficiency should never take priority
over medication verification. Option C avoids responsibility
rather than using a systematic safety process. Option D
unnecessarily delays therapy; the nurse can safely verify the
,order without waiting for the provider unless the order itself is
unclear.
Medication reconciliation, barcode scanning, and verification of
the medication indication are essential safety strategies,
especially when medications have similar names. Nurses should
compare the medication label with the MAR at least three
times and confirm that the medication matches the client’s
diagnosis.
Learning Objective
• Identify strategies to prevent look-alike/sound-alike
medication errors.
• Apply the rights of medication administration during
medication preparation.
• Recognize the importance of verifying the medication
indication before administration.
Medication Safety Focus: Look-alike/sound-alike medication
prevention
Question 2
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro to a client with
type 1 diabetes. The client’s breakfast tray has not yet arrived.
Question Stem
, Which action should the nurse take first?
• Administer the insulin and document the dose.
• Hold the insulin and notify the provider.
• Verify that the meal tray is available before administering
the insulin.
• Administer half the prescribed dose until the tray arrives.
Correct Answer: C. Verify that the meal tray is available before
administering the insulin.
Detailed Rationale
Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin that begins working within
minutes. Administering it without food immediately available
places the client at significant risk for hypoglycemia. The nurse
should first ensure that the meal tray is present and the client is
ready to eat before giving the dose.
Option A is unsafe because insulin may lower blood glucose
before carbohydrates are consumed. Option B is unnecessary
because the order itself is appropriate; the timing requires
adjustment. Option D changes the prescribed dose without a
provider order and does not eliminate the hypoglycemia risk.
Rapid-acting insulin is considered a high-alert medication,
meaning errors can cause significant harm. Nurses should
coordinate insulin administration with meals, verify blood
