Pharmacology and the Nursing
Process
10th Edition
• Author(s)Linda Lane Lilley;
Shelly Rainforth Collins; Julie
S. Snyder
,TEST BANK
Question 1
Item Type
Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ)
Clinical Scenario
A 72-year-old patient is admitted with community-acquired
pneumonia. The provider prescribes the first dose of an
intravenous antibiotic. During the pre-administration
assessment, the nurse notes the patient has a documented
allergy to a medication in the same drug class, although the
prescribed medication differs slightly in name. The patient
states, "I don't remember what happened, but they told me
never to take it again."
Question Stem
Which nursing action best reflects safe application of the
nursing process before administering the medication?
Answer Options
,A. Administer the medication because the names are different.
B. Ask another nurse whether the medication is usually safe.
C. Hold the medication and verify the allergy history with the
patient, medical record, and prescriber before administration.
D. Administer half the prescribed dose while observing for an
allergic reaction.
Correct Answer
C. Hold the medication and verify the allergy history with
the patient, medical record, and prescriber before
administration.
Comprehensive Rationale
Why the Correct Answer Is Correct
Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and serves as
the foundation for safe medication administration. Before
administering any medication, the nurse must identify actual or
potential risks, including allergies, previous adverse drug
reactions, contraindications, current medications, and relevant
laboratory values.
When an allergy is suspected, even if details are incomplete,
the nurse should:
, • pause medication administration,
• perform additional assessment,
• review previous documentation,
• clarify the nature of the reaction,
• communicate concerns with the prescriber and pharmacist
if needed.
Administering the medication before clarification could expose
the patient to a serious hypersensitivity reaction.
Pharmacologic Principles
Although the specific antibiotic is not identified, medications
within the same pharmacologic class may demonstrate similar
chemical structures or antigenic properties. Cross-reactivity
may increase the risk of allergic responses depending on the
drug class.
Pharmacokinetic Considerations
Because intravenous medications bypass absorption and enter
systemic circulation immediately, severe reactions can occur
rapidly after administration.
Process
10th Edition
• Author(s)Linda Lane Lilley;
Shelly Rainforth Collins; Julie
S. Snyder
,TEST BANK
Question 1
Item Type
Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ)
Clinical Scenario
A 72-year-old patient is admitted with community-acquired
pneumonia. The provider prescribes the first dose of an
intravenous antibiotic. During the pre-administration
assessment, the nurse notes the patient has a documented
allergy to a medication in the same drug class, although the
prescribed medication differs slightly in name. The patient
states, "I don't remember what happened, but they told me
never to take it again."
Question Stem
Which nursing action best reflects safe application of the
nursing process before administering the medication?
Answer Options
,A. Administer the medication because the names are different.
B. Ask another nurse whether the medication is usually safe.
C. Hold the medication and verify the allergy history with the
patient, medical record, and prescriber before administration.
D. Administer half the prescribed dose while observing for an
allergic reaction.
Correct Answer
C. Hold the medication and verify the allergy history with
the patient, medical record, and prescriber before
administration.
Comprehensive Rationale
Why the Correct Answer Is Correct
Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and serves as
the foundation for safe medication administration. Before
administering any medication, the nurse must identify actual or
potential risks, including allergies, previous adverse drug
reactions, contraindications, current medications, and relevant
laboratory values.
When an allergy is suspected, even if details are incomplete,
the nurse should:
, • pause medication administration,
• perform additional assessment,
• review previous documentation,
• clarify the nature of the reaction,
• communicate concerns with the prescriber and pharmacist
if needed.
Administering the medication before clarification could expose
the patient to a serious hypersensitivity reaction.
Pharmacologic Principles
Although the specific antibiotic is not identified, medications
within the same pharmacologic class may demonstrate similar
chemical structures or antigenic properties. Cross-reactivity
may increase the risk of allergic responses depending on the
drug class.
Pharmacokinetic Considerations
Because intravenous medications bypass absorption and enter
systemic circulation immediately, severe reactions can occur
rapidly after administration.
