NURSING 304 SAUNDERS ATI
PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026
◉ 4.) The client who chronically uses nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs has been taking misoprostol (Cytotec). The
nurse determines that the medication is having the intended
therapeutic effect if which of the following is noted?
1. Resolved diarrhea
2. Relief of epigastric pain
3. Decreased platelet count
4. Decreased white blood cell count Answer: 2. Relief of epigastric
pain
Rationale:
The client who chronically uses nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) is prone to gastric mucosal injury. Misoprostol is a
gastric protectant and is given specifically to prevent this
occurrence. Diarrhea can be a side effect of the medication, but is
not an intended effect. Options 3 and 4 are incorrect.
◉ 41.) The client has been taking omeprazole (Prilosec) for 4 weeks.
The ambulatory care nurse evaluates that the client is receiving
optimal intended effect of the medication if the client reports the
absence of which symptom?
,1. Diarrhea
2. Heartburn
3. Flatulence
4. Constipation Answer: 2. Heartburn
Rationale:
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor classified as an antiulcer
agent. The intended effect of the medication is relief of pain from
gastric irritation, often called heartburn by clients. Omeprazole is
not used to treat the conditions identified in options 1, 3, and 4.
◉ 42.) A client with a peptic ulcer is diagnosed with a Helicobacter
pylori infection. The nurse is reinforcing teaching for the client
about the medications prescribed, including clarithromycin (Biaxin),
esomeprazole (Nexium), and amoxicillin (Amoxil). Which statement
by the client indicates the best understanding of the medication
regimen?
1. "My ulcer will heal because these medications will kill the
bacteria."
2. "These medications are only taken when I have pain from my
ulcer."
3. "The medications will kill the bacteria and stop the acid
production."
4. "These medications will coat the ulcer and decrease the acid
production in my stomach." Answer: 3. "The medications will kill the
bacteria and stop the acid production."
,Rationale:
Triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection usually includes two
antibacterial drugs and a proton pump inhibitor. Clarithromycin and
amoxicillin are antibacterials. Esomeprazole is a proton pump
inhibitor. These medications will kill the bacteria and decrease acid
production.
◉ 43.) A histamine (H2)-receptor antagonist will be prescribed for a
client. The nurse understands that which medications are H2-
receptor antagonists? Select all that apply.
1. Nizatidine (Axid)
2. Ranitidine (Zantac)
3. Famotidine (Pepcid)
4. Cimetidine (Tagamet)
5. Esomeprazole (Nexium)
6. Lansoprazole (Prevacid) Answer: 1. Nizatidine (Axid)
2. Ranitidine (Zantac)
3. Famotidine (Pepcid)
4. Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Rationale:
H2-receptor antagonists suppress secretion of gastric acid, alleviate
symptoms of heartburn, and assist in preventing complications of
peptic ulcer disease. These medications also suppress gastric acid
secretions and are used in active ulcer disease, erosive esophagitis,
, and pathological hypersecretory conditions. The other medications
listed are proton pump inhibitors.
H2-receptor antagonists medication names end with -dine.
Proton pump inhibitors medication names end with -zole.
◉ 44.) A client is receiving acetylcysteine (Mucomyst), 20% solution
diluted in 0.9% normal saline by nebulizer. The nurse should have
which item available for possible use after giving this medication?
1. Ambu bag
2. Intubation tray
3. Nasogastric tube
4. Suction equipment Answer: 4. Suction equipment
Rationale:
Acetylcysteine can be given orally or by nasogastric tube to treat
acetaminophen overdose, or it may be given by inhalation for use as
a mucolytic. The nurse administering this medication as a mucolytic
should have suction equipment available in case the client cannot
manage to clear the increased volume of liquefied secretions.
◉ 45.) A client has a prescription to take guaifenesin (Humibid)
every 4 hours, as needed. The nurse determines that the client
understands the most effective use of this medication if the client
states that he or she will:
1. Watch for irritability as a side effect.
PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026
◉ 4.) The client who chronically uses nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drugs has been taking misoprostol (Cytotec). The
nurse determines that the medication is having the intended
therapeutic effect if which of the following is noted?
1. Resolved diarrhea
2. Relief of epigastric pain
3. Decreased platelet count
4. Decreased white blood cell count Answer: 2. Relief of epigastric
pain
Rationale:
The client who chronically uses nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) is prone to gastric mucosal injury. Misoprostol is a
gastric protectant and is given specifically to prevent this
occurrence. Diarrhea can be a side effect of the medication, but is
not an intended effect. Options 3 and 4 are incorrect.
◉ 41.) The client has been taking omeprazole (Prilosec) for 4 weeks.
The ambulatory care nurse evaluates that the client is receiving
optimal intended effect of the medication if the client reports the
absence of which symptom?
,1. Diarrhea
2. Heartburn
3. Flatulence
4. Constipation Answer: 2. Heartburn
Rationale:
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor classified as an antiulcer
agent. The intended effect of the medication is relief of pain from
gastric irritation, often called heartburn by clients. Omeprazole is
not used to treat the conditions identified in options 1, 3, and 4.
◉ 42.) A client with a peptic ulcer is diagnosed with a Helicobacter
pylori infection. The nurse is reinforcing teaching for the client
about the medications prescribed, including clarithromycin (Biaxin),
esomeprazole (Nexium), and amoxicillin (Amoxil). Which statement
by the client indicates the best understanding of the medication
regimen?
1. "My ulcer will heal because these medications will kill the
bacteria."
2. "These medications are only taken when I have pain from my
ulcer."
3. "The medications will kill the bacteria and stop the acid
production."
4. "These medications will coat the ulcer and decrease the acid
production in my stomach." Answer: 3. "The medications will kill the
bacteria and stop the acid production."
,Rationale:
Triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection usually includes two
antibacterial drugs and a proton pump inhibitor. Clarithromycin and
amoxicillin are antibacterials. Esomeprazole is a proton pump
inhibitor. These medications will kill the bacteria and decrease acid
production.
◉ 43.) A histamine (H2)-receptor antagonist will be prescribed for a
client. The nurse understands that which medications are H2-
receptor antagonists? Select all that apply.
1. Nizatidine (Axid)
2. Ranitidine (Zantac)
3. Famotidine (Pepcid)
4. Cimetidine (Tagamet)
5. Esomeprazole (Nexium)
6. Lansoprazole (Prevacid) Answer: 1. Nizatidine (Axid)
2. Ranitidine (Zantac)
3. Famotidine (Pepcid)
4. Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Rationale:
H2-receptor antagonists suppress secretion of gastric acid, alleviate
symptoms of heartburn, and assist in preventing complications of
peptic ulcer disease. These medications also suppress gastric acid
secretions and are used in active ulcer disease, erosive esophagitis,
, and pathological hypersecretory conditions. The other medications
listed are proton pump inhibitors.
H2-receptor antagonists medication names end with -dine.
Proton pump inhibitors medication names end with -zole.
◉ 44.) A client is receiving acetylcysteine (Mucomyst), 20% solution
diluted in 0.9% normal saline by nebulizer. The nurse should have
which item available for possible use after giving this medication?
1. Ambu bag
2. Intubation tray
3. Nasogastric tube
4. Suction equipment Answer: 4. Suction equipment
Rationale:
Acetylcysteine can be given orally or by nasogastric tube to treat
acetaminophen overdose, or it may be given by inhalation for use as
a mucolytic. The nurse administering this medication as a mucolytic
should have suction equipment available in case the client cannot
manage to clear the increased volume of liquefied secretions.
◉ 45.) A client has a prescription to take guaifenesin (Humibid)
every 4 hours, as needed. The nurse determines that the client
understands the most effective use of this medication if the client
states that he or she will:
1. Watch for irritability as a side effect.
