Clayton’s BasiC PharmaCology for nurses, 20th
Edition – Test Bank with Questions and Answers
Test Bank
Clayton’s Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 20th Edition
Unit 1: Foundations of Pharmacology
Chapter 1: Drug Definitions, Standards, and Information Sources
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which action best
demonstrates the principle of “right drug” from the rights of
medication administration?
a) Checking the patient’s identification band before giving the medication.
b) Comparing the medication administration record (MAR) with the
pharmacy label three times.
c) Assessing the patient’s allergy status before administering the
medication.
d) Documenting the medication immediately after administration.
Answer: b) Comparing the medication administration record (MAR) with
the pharmacy label three times.
Rationale: The “right drug” is verified by checking the MAR against the
medication label during three distinct steps: when removing the drug from
storage, before preparing it, and at the bedside. Option a refers to the right
patient; option c refers to allergies; option d refers to documentation.
,2. A nurse is reviewing drug information. Which resource provides the
most comprehensive information about drug interactions, adverse
effects, and pharmacokinetics, and is considered the standard for legal
purposes?
a) The Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR)
b) The United States Pharmacopeia/National Formulary (USP-NF)
c) A hospital formulary
d) The package insert (prescribing information)
Answer: d) The package insert (prescribing information)
Rationale: The package insert (prescribing information) is FDA-approved
and is the legal standard for drug information. While the PDR is a
compilation of package inserts, the primary insert itself is the definitive
source for legal and clinical details. The USP-NF sets standards for drug
purity and quality.
Chapter 2: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
3. A patient is receiving a drug that is a weak acid. The nurse
understands that this drug will be absorbed more effectively in which
part of the gastrointestinal tract?
a) The mouth, due to the alkaline pH of saliva.
b) The stomach, due to the acidic pH.
c) The small intestine, due to the large surface area.
d) The colon, due to the presence of water.
Answer: b) The stomach, due to the acidic pH.
Rationale: Weak acids are non-ionized (lipid-soluble) and readily absorbed
in acidic environments like the stomach. Weak bases are better absorbed in
the alkaline environment of the small intestine.
, 4. A nurse is teaching a patient about a new medication. The patient
asks, “Why does it take a few days for this medication to start working
for my depression?” The nurse’s response is based on the concept of:
a) First-pass effect.
b) Peak and trough levels.
c) Down-regulation of receptors.
d) Half-life accumulation.
Answer: c) Down-regulation of receptors.
Rationale: Many psychiatric drugs (like SSRIs) require time for the body to
adjust receptor sensitivity (down-regulation or up-regulation) to achieve
the desired therapeutic effect, even if the drug reaches a steady state in the
plasma quickly.
Chapter 3: Drug Administration
5. A nurse is administering a sustained-release capsule to a patient.
Which action is correct?
a) Instruct the patient to crush the capsule if they have difficulty swallowing.
b) Open the capsule and mix the contents with applesauce if the patient
cannot swallow it whole.
c) Administer the capsule with a full glass of orange juice to enhance
absorption.
d) Inform the patient that the capsule can be chewed for faster relief.
Answer: b) Open the capsule and mix the contents with applesauce if the
patient cannot swallow it whole.
Rationale: Sustained-release capsules should generally not be crushed or
chewed, as this alters the release mechanism. However, many extended-
release capsules (check label) can be opened and sprinkled onto soft food
(like applesauce) as long as the beads/spheroids are not chewed or
crushed.
Edition – Test Bank with Questions and Answers
Test Bank
Clayton’s Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 20th Edition
Unit 1: Foundations of Pharmacology
Chapter 1: Drug Definitions, Standards, and Information Sources
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which action best
demonstrates the principle of “right drug” from the rights of
medication administration?
a) Checking the patient’s identification band before giving the medication.
b) Comparing the medication administration record (MAR) with the
pharmacy label three times.
c) Assessing the patient’s allergy status before administering the
medication.
d) Documenting the medication immediately after administration.
Answer: b) Comparing the medication administration record (MAR) with
the pharmacy label three times.
Rationale: The “right drug” is verified by checking the MAR against the
medication label during three distinct steps: when removing the drug from
storage, before preparing it, and at the bedside. Option a refers to the right
patient; option c refers to allergies; option d refers to documentation.
,2. A nurse is reviewing drug information. Which resource provides the
most comprehensive information about drug interactions, adverse
effects, and pharmacokinetics, and is considered the standard for legal
purposes?
a) The Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR)
b) The United States Pharmacopeia/National Formulary (USP-NF)
c) A hospital formulary
d) The package insert (prescribing information)
Answer: d) The package insert (prescribing information)
Rationale: The package insert (prescribing information) is FDA-approved
and is the legal standard for drug information. While the PDR is a
compilation of package inserts, the primary insert itself is the definitive
source for legal and clinical details. The USP-NF sets standards for drug
purity and quality.
Chapter 2: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
3. A patient is receiving a drug that is a weak acid. The nurse
understands that this drug will be absorbed more effectively in which
part of the gastrointestinal tract?
a) The mouth, due to the alkaline pH of saliva.
b) The stomach, due to the acidic pH.
c) The small intestine, due to the large surface area.
d) The colon, due to the presence of water.
Answer: b) The stomach, due to the acidic pH.
Rationale: Weak acids are non-ionized (lipid-soluble) and readily absorbed
in acidic environments like the stomach. Weak bases are better absorbed in
the alkaline environment of the small intestine.
, 4. A nurse is teaching a patient about a new medication. The patient
asks, “Why does it take a few days for this medication to start working
for my depression?” The nurse’s response is based on the concept of:
a) First-pass effect.
b) Peak and trough levels.
c) Down-regulation of receptors.
d) Half-life accumulation.
Answer: c) Down-regulation of receptors.
Rationale: Many psychiatric drugs (like SSRIs) require time for the body to
adjust receptor sensitivity (down-regulation or up-regulation) to achieve
the desired therapeutic effect, even if the drug reaches a steady state in the
plasma quickly.
Chapter 3: Drug Administration
5. A nurse is administering a sustained-release capsule to a patient.
Which action is correct?
a) Instruct the patient to crush the capsule if they have difficulty swallowing.
b) Open the capsule and mix the contents with applesauce if the patient
cannot swallow it whole.
c) Administer the capsule with a full glass of orange juice to enhance
absorption.
d) Inform the patient that the capsule can be chewed for faster relief.
Answer: b) Open the capsule and mix the contents with applesauce if the
patient cannot swallow it whole.
Rationale: Sustained-release capsules should generally not be crushed or
chewed, as this alters the release mechanism. However, many extended-
release capsules (check label) can be opened and sprinkled onto soft food
(like applesauce) as long as the beads/spheroids are not chewed or
crushed.
