Lehne's Pharmacology for Nursing
Care
12th Edition
• Author(s)Jacqueline Rosenjack
Burchum; Laura D. Rosenthal
,TEST BANK
Question 1 (MCQ)
Clinical Scenario
A first-semester nursing student asks the clinical instructor,
“What is the difference between pharmacology and
therapeutics?”
Question Stem
Which explanation by the instructor is most accurate?
Options
A. Pharmacology focuses only on medication administration,
whereas therapeutics focuses on diagnosis.
B. Pharmacology studies drugs and their effects, whereas
therapeutics focuses on the use of drugs to prevent or treat
disease.
C. Therapeutics includes only prescription medications, whereas
pharmacology includes herbal products.
D. Pharmacology refers exclusively to laboratory research,
whereas therapeutics applies only in hospitals.
Correct Answer
,B. Pharmacology studies drugs and their effects, whereas
therapeutics focuses on the use of drugs to prevent or treat
disease.
Detailed Rationale
Pharmacology is the scientific study of drugs, including their
sources, mechanisms, effects, movement through the body, and
adverse reactions. Therapeutics emphasizes the clinical use of
medications to diagnose, prevent, and manage disease. Nurses
integrate both disciplines when administering medications
safely and evaluating therapeutic outcomes.
Understanding this distinction supports evidence-based
medication administration and informed patient education.
Incorrect Option Analysis
A. Incorrect
Why: Pharmacology encompasses much more than
administration.
Misconception: Students often equate pharmacology solely
with giving medications.
Safety Risk: Incomplete understanding may impair assessment
and monitoring.
Nursing Consideration: Nurses must understand mechanisms,
adverse effects, and evaluation of outcomes.
, C. Incorrect
Why: Therapeutics includes all appropriate treatments,
regardless of medication source.
Misconception: Only prescription drugs are considered
therapeutic agents.
Safety Risk: Failure to assess herbal-drug interactions.
Nursing Consideration: Medication reconciliation should
include complementary therapies.
D. Incorrect
Why: Both fields include research and clinical application.
Misconception: Pharmacology is disconnected from bedside
practice.
Safety Risk: Reduced appreciation for evidence-based
medication decisions.
Nursing Consideration: Nursing practice integrates scientific
and clinical knowledge.
Nursing Process Linkage
Assessment
NCJMM Competencies
• Recognize Cues
• Analyze Cues
Care
12th Edition
• Author(s)Jacqueline Rosenjack
Burchum; Laura D. Rosenthal
,TEST BANK
Question 1 (MCQ)
Clinical Scenario
A first-semester nursing student asks the clinical instructor,
“What is the difference between pharmacology and
therapeutics?”
Question Stem
Which explanation by the instructor is most accurate?
Options
A. Pharmacology focuses only on medication administration,
whereas therapeutics focuses on diagnosis.
B. Pharmacology studies drugs and their effects, whereas
therapeutics focuses on the use of drugs to prevent or treat
disease.
C. Therapeutics includes only prescription medications, whereas
pharmacology includes herbal products.
D. Pharmacology refers exclusively to laboratory research,
whereas therapeutics applies only in hospitals.
Correct Answer
,B. Pharmacology studies drugs and their effects, whereas
therapeutics focuses on the use of drugs to prevent or treat
disease.
Detailed Rationale
Pharmacology is the scientific study of drugs, including their
sources, mechanisms, effects, movement through the body, and
adverse reactions. Therapeutics emphasizes the clinical use of
medications to diagnose, prevent, and manage disease. Nurses
integrate both disciplines when administering medications
safely and evaluating therapeutic outcomes.
Understanding this distinction supports evidence-based
medication administration and informed patient education.
Incorrect Option Analysis
A. Incorrect
Why: Pharmacology encompasses much more than
administration.
Misconception: Students often equate pharmacology solely
with giving medications.
Safety Risk: Incomplete understanding may impair assessment
and monitoring.
Nursing Consideration: Nurses must understand mechanisms,
adverse effects, and evaluation of outcomes.
, C. Incorrect
Why: Therapeutics includes all appropriate treatments,
regardless of medication source.
Misconception: Only prescription drugs are considered
therapeutic agents.
Safety Risk: Failure to assess herbal-drug interactions.
Nursing Consideration: Medication reconciliation should
include complementary therapies.
D. Incorrect
Why: Both fields include research and clinical application.
Misconception: Pharmacology is disconnected from bedside
practice.
Safety Risk: Reduced appreciation for evidence-based
medication decisions.
Nursing Consideration: Nursing practice integrates scientific
and clinical knowledge.
Nursing Process Linkage
Assessment
NCJMM Competencies
• Recognize Cues
• Analyze Cues
