Lehne's Pharmacology for Nursing
Care
12th Edition
• Author(s)Jacqueline Rosenjack
Burchum; Laura D. Rosenthal
,TEST BANK
Question 1 — Multiple Choice (MCQ)
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is caring for a patient newly diagnosed with
hypertension. The provider explains that the prescribed
medication is intended to reduce blood pressure but may
occasionally produce dizziness when therapy begins.
Question
Which statement best distinguishes the medication's
therapeutic effect from its adverse effect?
Options
A. The therapeutic effect is an unintended harmful response,
whereas the adverse effect is the intended benefit.
B. The therapeutic effect is the intended clinical benefit,
whereas the adverse effect is an unintended harmful or
undesirable response.
C. Therapeutic and adverse effects are interchangeable terms.
D. Both therapeutic and adverse effects are predictable desired
outcomes.
,Correct Answer
B
Detailed Rationale
A therapeutic effect is the intended beneficial outcome of
medication therapy. In this scenario, lowering blood pressure is
the desired therapeutic response. An adverse effect is an
unintended, potentially harmful or uncomfortable response
occurring at normal therapeutic doses. Dizziness may increase
fall risk, requiring patient education and monitoring.
The nurse should educate the patient to change positions
slowly, monitor blood pressure, and report persistent or severe
symptoms while continuing to evaluate medication
effectiveness.
Incorrect Option Analysis
Option A
• Incorrect because it reverses the definitions.
• Common misconception: believing any medication effect is
therapeutic.
• Safety risk: Failure to recognize harmful reactions.
, • Nursing consideration: Teach patients to distinguish
expected benefits from adverse reactions.
Option C
• Incorrect because the terms describe different outcomes.
• Misconception: Any medication effect is equally desirable.
• Safety risk: Delayed recognition of complications.
• Nursing consideration: Assess for both intended and
unintended responses.
Option D
• Incorrect because adverse effects are not desired
outcomes.
• Misconception: Side effects indicate treatment success.
• Safety risk: Ignoring clinically significant adverse reactions.
• Nursing consideration: Monitor, document, and
communicate adverse effects promptly.
Nursing Process Linkage
Evaluation
NCJMM Competencies
Care
12th Edition
• Author(s)Jacqueline Rosenjack
Burchum; Laura D. Rosenthal
,TEST BANK
Question 1 — Multiple Choice (MCQ)
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is caring for a patient newly diagnosed with
hypertension. The provider explains that the prescribed
medication is intended to reduce blood pressure but may
occasionally produce dizziness when therapy begins.
Question
Which statement best distinguishes the medication's
therapeutic effect from its adverse effect?
Options
A. The therapeutic effect is an unintended harmful response,
whereas the adverse effect is the intended benefit.
B. The therapeutic effect is the intended clinical benefit,
whereas the adverse effect is an unintended harmful or
undesirable response.
C. Therapeutic and adverse effects are interchangeable terms.
D. Both therapeutic and adverse effects are predictable desired
outcomes.
,Correct Answer
B
Detailed Rationale
A therapeutic effect is the intended beneficial outcome of
medication therapy. In this scenario, lowering blood pressure is
the desired therapeutic response. An adverse effect is an
unintended, potentially harmful or uncomfortable response
occurring at normal therapeutic doses. Dizziness may increase
fall risk, requiring patient education and monitoring.
The nurse should educate the patient to change positions
slowly, monitor blood pressure, and report persistent or severe
symptoms while continuing to evaluate medication
effectiveness.
Incorrect Option Analysis
Option A
• Incorrect because it reverses the definitions.
• Common misconception: believing any medication effect is
therapeutic.
• Safety risk: Failure to recognize harmful reactions.
, • Nursing consideration: Teach patients to distinguish
expected benefits from adverse reactions.
Option C
• Incorrect because the terms describe different outcomes.
• Misconception: Any medication effect is equally desirable.
• Safety risk: Delayed recognition of complications.
• Nursing consideration: Assess for both intended and
unintended responses.
Option D
• Incorrect because adverse effects are not desired
outcomes.
• Misconception: Side effects indicate treatment success.
• Safety risk: Ignoring clinically significant adverse reactions.
• Nursing consideration: Monitor, document, and
communicate adverse effects promptly.
Nursing Process Linkage
Evaluation
NCJMM Competencies
