PHARM 315 PRACTICE TEST | WINTER 2026 | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTION.
A client who has been taking levodopa PO TID to control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease has a new
prescription for sustained-release levodopa/carbidopa PO BID. The client took his levodopa at 0800.
Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan for this client?
"Take the first dose of levodopa-carbidopa today, as soon as your prescription is filled."
"Since you already took your levodopa, wait until tomorrow to take the levodopa-carbidopa."
"Take both drugs for the first week, then switch to taking only the levodopa-carbidopa."
"You can begin taking the levodopa-carbidopa this evening, but do not take any more levodopa." -
(ANSWER)You can begin taking the levodopa-carbidopa this evening, but do not take any more
levodopa."
Rationale
Carbidopa significantly reduces the need for levodopa in clients with Parkinson's disease, so the new
prescription should not be started until eight hours after the previous dose of levodopa but can be
started the same day.
Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in clients taking high dosages of aspirin for
arthritis?
Loperamide.
Probanthine.
Bismuth subsalicylate.
Diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine. - (ANSWER)Bismuth subsalicylate.
Rationale
Bismuth subsalicylate contains a subsalicylate that increases the potential for salicylate toxicity when
used concurrently with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, another salicylate preparation).
A client is receiving metoprolol. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?
Temperature.
Lung sounds.
Blood pressure.
Urinary output. - (ANSWER)Blood pressure.
Rationale
,PHARM 315 PRACTICE TEST | WINTER 2026 | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTION.
It is most important to monitor the blood pressure of clients taking this medication because metoprolol
is an antianginal, antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive agent.
While taking a nursing history, the client states, "I am allergic to penicillin." Which related allergy to
another type of antiinfective agent should the nurse ask the client about when taking the nursing
history?
Aminoglycosides.
Cephalosporins.
Sulfonamides.
Tetracyclines. - (ANSWER)Cephalosporins.
Rationale
If a client has a history of being allergic to penicillin (PCN); there appears to be a cross-sensitivity
between penicillins and 1st generation cephalosporins. According to research, there appears to be no
cross-sensitivity between PCN and 3rd or 4th generation cephalosporins.
The nurse is reviewing the use of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump with a client in the
immediate postoperative period. The client will receive morphine 1 mg IV per hour basal rate with 1 mg
IV every 15 minutes per PCA to total 5 mg IV maximally per hour. Which assessment has the highest
priority before initiating the PCA pump?
The expiration date on the morphine syringe in the pump.
The rate and depth of the client's respirations.
The type of anesthesia used during the surgical procedure.
The client's subjective and objective signs of pain. - (ANSWER)The rate and depth of the client's
respirations.
Rationale
A life-threatening side effect of intravenous administration of morphine sulfate, an opiate narcotic, is
respiratory depression. Prior to the initiation of the PCA pump, the nurse should assess the client's
respirations to obtain a baseline of their respiratory rate and depth. Once the PCA pump is initiated and
if the client's respiratory rate falls below 12 breaths per minute, the PCA pump should be stopped and
the healthcare provider notified immediately.
, PHARM 315 PRACTICE TEST | WINTER 2026 | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTION.
Which action is most important for the nurse to implement prior to the administration of the
antiarrhythmic drug adenosine?
Assess pupillary response to light.
Instruct the client that facial flushing may occur.
Apply continuous cardiac monitoring.
Request that family members leave the room. - (ANSWER)Apply continuous cardiac monitoring.
Rationale
Adenosine is an antiarrhythmic drug used to restore a normal sinus rhythm in clients with rapid
supraventricular tachycardia. The client's heart rate should be monitored continuously for the onset of
additional arrhythmias while receiving adenosine.
The healthcare provider prescribes naloxone for a client in the emergency room. Which assessment data
would indicate that the naloxone has been effective?
Statement that the chest pain is better.
Respiratory rate is 16 breaths/minute.
Seizure activity has stopped temporarily.
Pupils are constricted bilaterally. - (ANSWER)Respiratory rate is 16 breaths/minute.
Rationale
Naloxone is a narcotic antagonist that reverses the respiratory depression effects of opiate overdose, so
assessment of a normal respiratory rate would indicate that the respiratory depression has been
reversed.
A client who was prescribed atorvastatin one month ago calls the triage nurse at the clinic complaining
of muscle pain and weakness in his legs. Which statement reflects the correct drug-specific teaching the
nurse should provide to this client?
Increase consumption of potassium-rich foods since low potassium levels can cause muscle spasms.
Have serum electrolytes checked at the next scheduled appointment to assess hyponatremia, a cause of
cramping.
Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider, because muscle pain may be an indication of a
serious side effect.
COMPLETE SOLUTION.
A client who has been taking levodopa PO TID to control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease has a new
prescription for sustained-release levodopa/carbidopa PO BID. The client took his levodopa at 0800.
Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan for this client?
"Take the first dose of levodopa-carbidopa today, as soon as your prescription is filled."
"Since you already took your levodopa, wait until tomorrow to take the levodopa-carbidopa."
"Take both drugs for the first week, then switch to taking only the levodopa-carbidopa."
"You can begin taking the levodopa-carbidopa this evening, but do not take any more levodopa." -
(ANSWER)You can begin taking the levodopa-carbidopa this evening, but do not take any more
levodopa."
Rationale
Carbidopa significantly reduces the need for levodopa in clients with Parkinson's disease, so the new
prescription should not be started until eight hours after the previous dose of levodopa but can be
started the same day.
Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in clients taking high dosages of aspirin for
arthritis?
Loperamide.
Probanthine.
Bismuth subsalicylate.
Diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine. - (ANSWER)Bismuth subsalicylate.
Rationale
Bismuth subsalicylate contains a subsalicylate that increases the potential for salicylate toxicity when
used concurrently with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, another salicylate preparation).
A client is receiving metoprolol. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?
Temperature.
Lung sounds.
Blood pressure.
Urinary output. - (ANSWER)Blood pressure.
Rationale
,PHARM 315 PRACTICE TEST | WINTER 2026 | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTION.
It is most important to monitor the blood pressure of clients taking this medication because metoprolol
is an antianginal, antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive agent.
While taking a nursing history, the client states, "I am allergic to penicillin." Which related allergy to
another type of antiinfective agent should the nurse ask the client about when taking the nursing
history?
Aminoglycosides.
Cephalosporins.
Sulfonamides.
Tetracyclines. - (ANSWER)Cephalosporins.
Rationale
If a client has a history of being allergic to penicillin (PCN); there appears to be a cross-sensitivity
between penicillins and 1st generation cephalosporins. According to research, there appears to be no
cross-sensitivity between PCN and 3rd or 4th generation cephalosporins.
The nurse is reviewing the use of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump with a client in the
immediate postoperative period. The client will receive morphine 1 mg IV per hour basal rate with 1 mg
IV every 15 minutes per PCA to total 5 mg IV maximally per hour. Which assessment has the highest
priority before initiating the PCA pump?
The expiration date on the morphine syringe in the pump.
The rate and depth of the client's respirations.
The type of anesthesia used during the surgical procedure.
The client's subjective and objective signs of pain. - (ANSWER)The rate and depth of the client's
respirations.
Rationale
A life-threatening side effect of intravenous administration of morphine sulfate, an opiate narcotic, is
respiratory depression. Prior to the initiation of the PCA pump, the nurse should assess the client's
respirations to obtain a baseline of their respiratory rate and depth. Once the PCA pump is initiated and
if the client's respiratory rate falls below 12 breaths per minute, the PCA pump should be stopped and
the healthcare provider notified immediately.
, PHARM 315 PRACTICE TEST | WINTER 2026 | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTION.
Which action is most important for the nurse to implement prior to the administration of the
antiarrhythmic drug adenosine?
Assess pupillary response to light.
Instruct the client that facial flushing may occur.
Apply continuous cardiac monitoring.
Request that family members leave the room. - (ANSWER)Apply continuous cardiac monitoring.
Rationale
Adenosine is an antiarrhythmic drug used to restore a normal sinus rhythm in clients with rapid
supraventricular tachycardia. The client's heart rate should be monitored continuously for the onset of
additional arrhythmias while receiving adenosine.
The healthcare provider prescribes naloxone for a client in the emergency room. Which assessment data
would indicate that the naloxone has been effective?
Statement that the chest pain is better.
Respiratory rate is 16 breaths/minute.
Seizure activity has stopped temporarily.
Pupils are constricted bilaterally. - (ANSWER)Respiratory rate is 16 breaths/minute.
Rationale
Naloxone is a narcotic antagonist that reverses the respiratory depression effects of opiate overdose, so
assessment of a normal respiratory rate would indicate that the respiratory depression has been
reversed.
A client who was prescribed atorvastatin one month ago calls the triage nurse at the clinic complaining
of muscle pain and weakness in his legs. Which statement reflects the correct drug-specific teaching the
nurse should provide to this client?
Increase consumption of potassium-rich foods since low potassium levels can cause muscle spasms.
Have serum electrolytes checked at the next scheduled appointment to assess hyponatremia, a cause of
cramping.
Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider, because muscle pain may be an indication of a
serious side effect.
