Pharmacology and the Nursing
Process
10th Edition
• Author(s)Linda Lane Lilley;
Shelly Rainforth Collins; Julie
S. Snyder
,TEST BANK
Question 1 — MCQ
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of an oral
antihypertensive medication to a hospitalized patient. During
the assessment, the patient reports dizziness upon standing
earlier that morning.
Question
Which nursing action is the priority before administering the
medication?
A. Administer the medication with breakfast.
B. Assess the patient's current blood pressure and orthostatic
vital signs.
C. Teach the patient about limiting dietary sodium.
D. Document the patient's complaint after medication
administration.
Correct Answer
,B. Assess the patient's current blood pressure and orthostatic
vital signs.
Comprehensive Rationale
Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and guides
safe medication administration. Because antihypertensive
medications lower blood pressure, administering the drug
without assessing current blood pressure and symptoms could
increase the patient's risk for symptomatic hypotension, falls,
and injury. Orthostatic vital signs provide additional information
regarding volume status and medication safety.
Patient education regarding sodium restriction is important but
should occur after determining whether the medication is safe
to administer. Documentation is essential but follows
assessment and intervention.
Distractor Analysis
A. Administer with breakfast
Why incorrect
Food may reduce gastrointestinal upset for some medications,
but it does not address the immediate safety concern.
Common misconception
, Routine administration is more important than reassessment.
Medication safety risk
May worsen hypotension.
Appropriate nursing action
Assess before administering.
C. Teach sodium restriction
Why incorrect
Teaching is appropriate but not the priority.
Common misconception
Education always precedes administration.
Medication safety risk
Misses recognition of possible adverse effects.
Appropriate nursing action
Complete assessment first.
D. Document later
Why incorrect
Documentation does not replace clinical assessment.
Process
10th Edition
• Author(s)Linda Lane Lilley;
Shelly Rainforth Collins; Julie
S. Snyder
,TEST BANK
Question 1 — MCQ
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of an oral
antihypertensive medication to a hospitalized patient. During
the assessment, the patient reports dizziness upon standing
earlier that morning.
Question
Which nursing action is the priority before administering the
medication?
A. Administer the medication with breakfast.
B. Assess the patient's current blood pressure and orthostatic
vital signs.
C. Teach the patient about limiting dietary sodium.
D. Document the patient's complaint after medication
administration.
Correct Answer
,B. Assess the patient's current blood pressure and orthostatic
vital signs.
Comprehensive Rationale
Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and guides
safe medication administration. Because antihypertensive
medications lower blood pressure, administering the drug
without assessing current blood pressure and symptoms could
increase the patient's risk for symptomatic hypotension, falls,
and injury. Orthostatic vital signs provide additional information
regarding volume status and medication safety.
Patient education regarding sodium restriction is important but
should occur after determining whether the medication is safe
to administer. Documentation is essential but follows
assessment and intervention.
Distractor Analysis
A. Administer with breakfast
Why incorrect
Food may reduce gastrointestinal upset for some medications,
but it does not address the immediate safety concern.
Common misconception
, Routine administration is more important than reassessment.
Medication safety risk
May worsen hypotension.
Appropriate nursing action
Assess before administering.
C. Teach sodium restriction
Why incorrect
Teaching is appropriate but not the priority.
Common misconception
Education always precedes administration.
Medication safety risk
Misses recognition of possible adverse effects.
Appropriate nursing action
Complete assessment first.
D. Document later
Why incorrect
Documentation does not replace clinical assessment.
