PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSES: A
PATHOPHYSIOLOGIC APPROACH
7TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MICHAEL P. ADAMS;
NORMAN HOLLAND; SHANTI CHANG
TEST BANK
Q1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Therapeutic vs Pharmacologic Classification
Stem: A 68-year-old patient with chronic heart failure asks why
their new medication is listed as a “cardiac glycoside” on the
medication list but the pharmacist called it a “positive
inotrope.” As the nurse, how do you best explain the difference
to help the patient understand therapy versus mechanism
without prescriber-level details?
A. “Therapeutic classification tells us the disease it treats;
pharmacologic classification explains how the drug acts in the
body.”
B. “The pharmacist used a brand name; your prescriber used a
,generic mechanism term that’s not important to you.”
C. “Therapeutic classification is the active ingredient;
pharmacologic classification is the dose.”
D. “Both terms mean the same thing; different professionals
prefer different words.”
Correct answer: A
Rationales — Correct:
A. Correct. Therapeutic classification groups drugs by disease
treated (e.g., drugs for heart failure). Pharmacologic
classification describes the drug’s mechanism or effect (e.g.,
positive inotrope increases myocardial contractility). Explaining
this helps the patient understand why the med is prescribed
and what to monitor (e.g., symptom improvement, signs of
toxicity).
Rationales — Incorrect:
B. Incorrect — this confuses naming with classification and
minimizes patient education.
C. Incorrect — active ingredient and dose are different
concepts; this answer conflates categories.
D. Incorrect — the terms are not synonymous and have
different nursing implications for monitoring and education.
Teaching point: Therapeutic = disease target; pharmacologic =
how the drug works.
,Citation: Adams, M. P., Holland, N., & Chang, S. (2024).
Pharmacology for Nurses: A Pathophysiologic Approach (7th
ed.). Ch. 1.
Q2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Chemical, Generic, and Trade Names
Stem: A patient brings two pill bottles to the clinic: one labeled
"acetaminophen 500 mg" and the other "Tylenol 500 mg." They
ask whether they are different medications. Which nursing
response best addresses medication safety and prevents
duplication?
A. “They’re the same active drug; avoid taking both at the same
time and check total daily dose.”
B. “They’re different; Tylenol is stronger than generic
acetaminophen.”
C. “It doesn’t matter — brand names are always
interchangeable with generics without checks.”
D. “You can take both if prescribed by different providers.”
Correct answer: A
Rationales — Correct:
A. Correct. Generic name (acetaminophen) and trade name
(Tylenol) often contain the same active ingredient. The nurse
should counsel on avoiding duplicate therapy and calculating
total daily dose to prevent toxicity (e.g., hepatotoxicity).
, Rationales — Incorrect:
B. Incorrect — brands are not necessarily stronger; potency
depends on the active ingredient and dose.
C. Incorrect — while generics and brands are often
interchangeable, nurses must verify formulation, dose, and
patient allergies.
D. Incorrect — taking two products with the same active
ingredient prescribed by different providers risks overdose.
Teaching point: Match generic/trade names; prevent duplicate
active-ingredient dosing.
Citation: Adams, M. P., Holland, N., & Chang, S. (2024).
Pharmacology for Nurses: A Pathophysiologic Approach (7th
ed.). Ch. 1.
Q3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Prescription vs Over-the-Counter (OTC)
Drugs
Stem: A 52-year-old with hypertension asks if they can use an
OTC decongestant for nasal congestion. Which nursing action
best prioritizes safety?
A. Ask about current antihypertensive medications and explain
OTC decongestants can increase blood pressure.
B. Recommend the decongestant since OTC drugs are safe
without discussing prescription meds.
C. Tell the patient to stop their antihypertensive temporarily
PATHOPHYSIOLOGIC APPROACH
7TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MICHAEL P. ADAMS;
NORMAN HOLLAND; SHANTI CHANG
TEST BANK
Q1
Reference: Ch. 1 — Therapeutic vs Pharmacologic Classification
Stem: A 68-year-old patient with chronic heart failure asks why
their new medication is listed as a “cardiac glycoside” on the
medication list but the pharmacist called it a “positive
inotrope.” As the nurse, how do you best explain the difference
to help the patient understand therapy versus mechanism
without prescriber-level details?
A. “Therapeutic classification tells us the disease it treats;
pharmacologic classification explains how the drug acts in the
body.”
B. “The pharmacist used a brand name; your prescriber used a
,generic mechanism term that’s not important to you.”
C. “Therapeutic classification is the active ingredient;
pharmacologic classification is the dose.”
D. “Both terms mean the same thing; different professionals
prefer different words.”
Correct answer: A
Rationales — Correct:
A. Correct. Therapeutic classification groups drugs by disease
treated (e.g., drugs for heart failure). Pharmacologic
classification describes the drug’s mechanism or effect (e.g.,
positive inotrope increases myocardial contractility). Explaining
this helps the patient understand why the med is prescribed
and what to monitor (e.g., symptom improvement, signs of
toxicity).
Rationales — Incorrect:
B. Incorrect — this confuses naming with classification and
minimizes patient education.
C. Incorrect — active ingredient and dose are different
concepts; this answer conflates categories.
D. Incorrect — the terms are not synonymous and have
different nursing implications for monitoring and education.
Teaching point: Therapeutic = disease target; pharmacologic =
how the drug works.
,Citation: Adams, M. P., Holland, N., & Chang, S. (2024).
Pharmacology for Nurses: A Pathophysiologic Approach (7th
ed.). Ch. 1.
Q2
Reference: Ch. 1 — Chemical, Generic, and Trade Names
Stem: A patient brings two pill bottles to the clinic: one labeled
"acetaminophen 500 mg" and the other "Tylenol 500 mg." They
ask whether they are different medications. Which nursing
response best addresses medication safety and prevents
duplication?
A. “They’re the same active drug; avoid taking both at the same
time and check total daily dose.”
B. “They’re different; Tylenol is stronger than generic
acetaminophen.”
C. “It doesn’t matter — brand names are always
interchangeable with generics without checks.”
D. “You can take both if prescribed by different providers.”
Correct answer: A
Rationales — Correct:
A. Correct. Generic name (acetaminophen) and trade name
(Tylenol) often contain the same active ingredient. The nurse
should counsel on avoiding duplicate therapy and calculating
total daily dose to prevent toxicity (e.g., hepatotoxicity).
, Rationales — Incorrect:
B. Incorrect — brands are not necessarily stronger; potency
depends on the active ingredient and dose.
C. Incorrect — while generics and brands are often
interchangeable, nurses must verify formulation, dose, and
patient allergies.
D. Incorrect — taking two products with the same active
ingredient prescribed by different providers risks overdose.
Teaching point: Match generic/trade names; prevent duplicate
active-ingredient dosing.
Citation: Adams, M. P., Holland, N., & Chang, S. (2024).
Pharmacology for Nurses: A Pathophysiologic Approach (7th
ed.). Ch. 1.
Q3
Reference: Ch. 1 — Prescription vs Over-the-Counter (OTC)
Drugs
Stem: A 52-year-old with hypertension asks if they can use an
OTC decongestant for nasal congestion. Which nursing action
best prioritizes safety?
A. Ask about current antihypertensive medications and explain
OTC decongestants can increase blood pressure.
B. Recommend the decongestant since OTC drugs are safe
without discussing prescription meds.
C. Tell the patient to stop their antihypertensive temporarily
