LPN Midterm Study Guide: Drug Classes & Dosage Calculations (2026)
UPDATE
1. A physician orders 0.5 grams of a medication. The medication is available in
250 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 0.5 tablets
D. 3 tablets
Answer: B
Rationale: 0.5 grams is equal to 500 mg. 500 mg divided by 250 mg per tablet equals 2
tablets.
2. Which classification of medication is primarily used to lower blood pressure
by blocking the conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II?
A. Beta-blockers
B. ACE Inhibitors
C. Calcium Channel Blockers
D. Loop Diuretics
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE Inhibitors (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme inhibitors) prevent the
conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor.
,3. A patient is prescribed Furosemide (Lasix). Which electrolyte should the nurse
monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of potassium, potentially
leading to hypokalemia.
4. What is the standard antidote for Heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine Sulfate
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: C
Rationale: Protamine Sulfate is the specific antagonist used to reverse the effects of
Heparin.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer Digoxin. The nurse must check the apical
pulse for 60 seconds and withhold the dose if the heart rate is below:
A. 60 bpm
B. 50 bpm
C. 70 bpm
D. 100 bpm
Answer: A
Rationale: Standard nursing practice is to withhold Digoxin if the adult heart rate is less
than 60 beats per minute to avoid toxicity symptoms.
, 6. Which of the following is a common side effect of opioid analgesics?
A. Constipation
B. Hypertension
C. Diarrhea
D. Increased respiratory rate
Answer: A
Rationale: Opioids slow down gastrointestinal motility, leading to constipation, which is a
very common side effect.
7. An order reads: Infuse 1000 mL of Normal Saline over 8 hours. The drop factor
is 15 gtt/mL. What is the flow rate in gtt/min?
A. 21 gtt/min
B. 125 gtt/min
C. 42 gtt/min
D. 31 gtt/min
Answer: D
Rationale: (1000 mL / 480 min) * 15 gtt/mL = 31.25, rounded to 31 gtt/min.
8. Which medication is classified as a rapid-acting insulin?
A. Regular (Humulin R)
B. Lispro (Humalog)
C. NPH (Humulin N)
D. Glargine (Lantus)
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is rapid-acting, Regular is short-acting, NPH is intermediate-acting, and
Glargine is long-acting.
UPDATE
1. A physician orders 0.5 grams of a medication. The medication is available in
250 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 0.5 tablets
D. 3 tablets
Answer: B
Rationale: 0.5 grams is equal to 500 mg. 500 mg divided by 250 mg per tablet equals 2
tablets.
2. Which classification of medication is primarily used to lower blood pressure
by blocking the conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II?
A. Beta-blockers
B. ACE Inhibitors
C. Calcium Channel Blockers
D. Loop Diuretics
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE Inhibitors (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme inhibitors) prevent the
conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor.
,3. A patient is prescribed Furosemide (Lasix). Which electrolyte should the nurse
monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of potassium, potentially
leading to hypokalemia.
4. What is the standard antidote for Heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine Sulfate
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: C
Rationale: Protamine Sulfate is the specific antagonist used to reverse the effects of
Heparin.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer Digoxin. The nurse must check the apical
pulse for 60 seconds and withhold the dose if the heart rate is below:
A. 60 bpm
B. 50 bpm
C. 70 bpm
D. 100 bpm
Answer: A
Rationale: Standard nursing practice is to withhold Digoxin if the adult heart rate is less
than 60 beats per minute to avoid toxicity symptoms.
, 6. Which of the following is a common side effect of opioid analgesics?
A. Constipation
B. Hypertension
C. Diarrhea
D. Increased respiratory rate
Answer: A
Rationale: Opioids slow down gastrointestinal motility, leading to constipation, which is a
very common side effect.
7. An order reads: Infuse 1000 mL of Normal Saline over 8 hours. The drop factor
is 15 gtt/mL. What is the flow rate in gtt/min?
A. 21 gtt/min
B. 125 gtt/min
C. 42 gtt/min
D. 31 gtt/min
Answer: D
Rationale: (1000 mL / 480 min) * 15 gtt/mL = 31.25, rounded to 31 gtt/min.
8. Which medication is classified as a rapid-acting insulin?
A. Regular (Humulin R)
B. Lispro (Humalog)
C. NPH (Humulin N)
D. Glargine (Lantus)
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is rapid-acting, Regular is short-acting, NPH is intermediate-acting, and
Glargine is long-acting.
