LPN Pharmacology and Parenteral Therapy Practice Exam 2026/2027
UPDATE
1. A patient is prescribed warfarin for chronic atrial fibrillation. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of this
medication?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. Serum potassium level
C. Platelet count
D. Prothrombin time and International Normalized Ratio (PT/INR)
Answer: D
Rationale: PT/INR is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of warfarin. aPTT is used for
heparin monitoring.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Check the patient’s blood pressure
B. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute
C. Monitor the patient’s respiratory rate
D. Administer the medication with a full glass of water
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse must assess the apical pulse for one full minute. If the heart rate is
less than 60 beats per minute, the medication should be withheld and the provider notified.
,3. A patient is receiving an IV infusion and reports pain at the insertion site. The
nurse notes coolness, swelling, and pallor at the site. Which complication should
the nurse suspect?
A. Phlebitis
B. Air embolism
C. Infection
D. Infiltration
Answer: D
Rationale: Infiltration is characterized by coolness, swelling, and pallor at the IV site.
Phlebitis would present with warmth and redness.
4. Which insulin should the nurse expect to have the quickest onset of action?
A. Insulin Glargine
B. Insulin Lispro
C. NPH Insulin
D. Regular Insulin
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 to 30 minutes.
Glargine is long-acting, NPH is intermediate, and Regular is short-acting.
5. A patient is prescribed furosemide 40 mg PO daily. Which electrolyte
imbalance is most commonly associated with this medication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of potassium, leading to
hypokalemia.
, 6. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Six Rights’ of medication administration?
A. To ensure the patient likes the nurse
B. To document the patient’s reaction to the drug
C. To speed up the administration process
D. To prevent medication errors
Answer: D
Rationale: The Six Rights (Right Patient, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Route, Right Time,
Right Documentation) are fundamental safety checks to prevent medication errors.
7. A patient is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin for chest pain. How should the
nurse instruct the patient to take this medication?
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
B. Place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to dissolve
C. Crush the tablet and mix it with food
D. Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing
Answer: B
Rationale: Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue to be absorbed directly
into the bloodstream via the oral mucosa.
8. A nurse is administering heparin subcutaneously. Which site is most
appropriate for this injection?
A. The deltoid muscle
B. The vastus lateralis
C. The abdomen, 2 inches away from the umbilicus
D. The dorsogluteal area
Answer: C
Rationale: Heparin should be administered in the subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen, at
least 2 inches away from the umbilicus, to ensure consistent absorption and safety.
UPDATE
1. A patient is prescribed warfarin for chronic atrial fibrillation. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of this
medication?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. Serum potassium level
C. Platelet count
D. Prothrombin time and International Normalized Ratio (PT/INR)
Answer: D
Rationale: PT/INR is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of warfarin. aPTT is used for
heparin monitoring.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Check the patient’s blood pressure
B. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute
C. Monitor the patient’s respiratory rate
D. Administer the medication with a full glass of water
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse must assess the apical pulse for one full minute. If the heart rate is
less than 60 beats per minute, the medication should be withheld and the provider notified.
,3. A patient is receiving an IV infusion and reports pain at the insertion site. The
nurse notes coolness, swelling, and pallor at the site. Which complication should
the nurse suspect?
A. Phlebitis
B. Air embolism
C. Infection
D. Infiltration
Answer: D
Rationale: Infiltration is characterized by coolness, swelling, and pallor at the IV site.
Phlebitis would present with warmth and redness.
4. Which insulin should the nurse expect to have the quickest onset of action?
A. Insulin Glargine
B. Insulin Lispro
C. NPH Insulin
D. Regular Insulin
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 to 30 minutes.
Glargine is long-acting, NPH is intermediate, and Regular is short-acting.
5. A patient is prescribed furosemide 40 mg PO daily. Which electrolyte
imbalance is most commonly associated with this medication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of potassium, leading to
hypokalemia.
, 6. What is the primary purpose of the ‘Six Rights’ of medication administration?
A. To ensure the patient likes the nurse
B. To document the patient’s reaction to the drug
C. To speed up the administration process
D. To prevent medication errors
Answer: D
Rationale: The Six Rights (Right Patient, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Route, Right Time,
Right Documentation) are fundamental safety checks to prevent medication errors.
7. A patient is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin for chest pain. How should the
nurse instruct the patient to take this medication?
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
B. Place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to dissolve
C. Crush the tablet and mix it with food
D. Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing
Answer: B
Rationale: Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue to be absorbed directly
into the bloodstream via the oral mucosa.
8. A nurse is administering heparin subcutaneously. Which site is most
appropriate for this injection?
A. The deltoid muscle
B. The vastus lateralis
C. The abdomen, 2 inches away from the umbilicus
D. The dorsogluteal area
Answer: C
Rationale: Heparin should be administered in the subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen, at
least 2 inches away from the umbilicus, to ensure consistent absorption and safety.
