Lehne's Pharmacology for Nursing
Care
12th Edition
• Author(s)Jacqueline Rosenjack
Burchum; Laura D. Rosenthal
,TEST BANK
Question 1 (MCQ)
Clinical Scenario
A newly licensed nurse is discussing pharmacology terminology
with a nursing student before administering a patient's first
dose of an antihypertensive medication.
Question Stem
Which statement by the nursing student correctly distinguishes
a drug's therapeutic effect from its side effects?
Answer Options
A. Therapeutic effects are unintended responses that occur at
normal doses.
B. Side effects are always harmful and require immediate
discontinuation of the medication.
C. Therapeutic effects are the intended beneficial responses
produced by a medication, whereas side effects are predictable
secondary effects that may or may not require intervention.
D. Side effects and adverse effects are synonymous terms.
,Correct Answer
C
Detailed Rationale
A medication's therapeutic effect is the desired clinical
outcome for which it is prescribed. Side effects are secondary,
often predictable effects that occur in addition to the
therapeutic effect. Some side effects are mild and expected,
while others may warrant monitoring or treatment
modification. Nurses should educate patients about common
side effects and identify when further evaluation is necessary.
Understanding this distinction promotes safe medication
administration, realistic patient expectations, and improved
adherence.
Incorrect Option Analysis
A
• Why Incorrect: Describes side effects rather than
therapeutic effects.
• Common Misconception: Students often confuse intended
and unintended effects.
, • Medication Safety Risk: May lead to incorrect assessment
of medication effectiveness.
• Nursing Consideration: Evaluate whether the desired
therapeutic response has been achieved.
B
• Why Incorrect: Many side effects are mild and self-limiting.
• Common Misconception: Every side effect requires
medication discontinuation.
• Medication Safety Risk: Premature discontinuation may
worsen disease control.
• Nursing Consideration: Assess severity before notifying
the provider.
D
• Why Incorrect: Adverse effects are harmful, often serious
responses; side effects are usually predictable and less
severe.
• Common Misconception: These terms are
interchangeable.
• Medication Safety Risk: Failure to recognize serious
adverse reactions promptly.
• Nursing Consideration: Differentiate expected from
dangerous medication responses.
Care
12th Edition
• Author(s)Jacqueline Rosenjack
Burchum; Laura D. Rosenthal
,TEST BANK
Question 1 (MCQ)
Clinical Scenario
A newly licensed nurse is discussing pharmacology terminology
with a nursing student before administering a patient's first
dose of an antihypertensive medication.
Question Stem
Which statement by the nursing student correctly distinguishes
a drug's therapeutic effect from its side effects?
Answer Options
A. Therapeutic effects are unintended responses that occur at
normal doses.
B. Side effects are always harmful and require immediate
discontinuation of the medication.
C. Therapeutic effects are the intended beneficial responses
produced by a medication, whereas side effects are predictable
secondary effects that may or may not require intervention.
D. Side effects and adverse effects are synonymous terms.
,Correct Answer
C
Detailed Rationale
A medication's therapeutic effect is the desired clinical
outcome for which it is prescribed. Side effects are secondary,
often predictable effects that occur in addition to the
therapeutic effect. Some side effects are mild and expected,
while others may warrant monitoring or treatment
modification. Nurses should educate patients about common
side effects and identify when further evaluation is necessary.
Understanding this distinction promotes safe medication
administration, realistic patient expectations, and improved
adherence.
Incorrect Option Analysis
A
• Why Incorrect: Describes side effects rather than
therapeutic effects.
• Common Misconception: Students often confuse intended
and unintended effects.
, • Medication Safety Risk: May lead to incorrect assessment
of medication effectiveness.
• Nursing Consideration: Evaluate whether the desired
therapeutic response has been achieved.
B
• Why Incorrect: Many side effects are mild and self-limiting.
• Common Misconception: Every side effect requires
medication discontinuation.
• Medication Safety Risk: Premature discontinuation may
worsen disease control.
• Nursing Consideration: Assess severity before notifying
the provider.
D
• Why Incorrect: Adverse effects are harmful, often serious
responses; side effects are usually predictable and less
severe.
• Common Misconception: These terms are
interchangeable.
• Medication Safety Risk: Failure to recognize serious
adverse reactions promptly.
• Nursing Consideration: Differentiate expected from
dangerous medication responses.
