PRN 1381/PRN1381 Exam 2 V2 | Principles
of Pharmacology Q&A with Rationale |
Rasmussen University
1. A patient is prescribed albuterol via a metered-dose inhaler for the treatment of asthma.
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. I will use this medication as my rescue inhaler during an attack.
B. I will take this medication every day on a fixed schedule to prevent attacks.
C. I will rinse my mouth with water after using the inhaler.
D. I will wait about one minute between puffs of the same medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) intended for rescue use during
acute bronchospasms rather than daily maintenance. Long-term control is typically
managed with inhaled corticosteroids or long-acting agonists. The patient needs to
understand that relying on a rescue inhaler daily suggests poorly controlled asthma.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer morphine sulfate to a patient. Which assessment finding
should the nurse prioritize before administration?
A. Respiratory rate 10 breaths per minute
B. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
C. Temperature 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit
,D. Heart rate 82 beats per minute
Answer: A
Rationale: Opioids like morphine can cause significant respiratory depression by acting on
the central nervous system. A respiratory rate of 10 is below the normal range and
warrants withholding the medication and notifying the provider. Monitoring vital signs is a
critical safety intervention when managing opioid therapy.
3. A patient is being treated for a deep vein thrombosis with a continuous heparin infusion.
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to adjust the dosage?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count
Answer: C
Rationale: The aPTT is the standard laboratory test used to monitor the effectiveness of
heparin therapy and adjust dosing. PT and INR are typically used for monitoring warfarin
therapy rather than heparin. While platelet counts are monitored for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia, they do not dictate the titration of the infusion.
4. The nurse is teaching a patient about a new prescription for levothyroxine. What
instruction is most important for the nurse to include?
A. Take the medication with a full meal to avoid GI upset.
, B. Take the medication at bedtime with a glass of milk.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast.
D. Stop the medication immediately if you feel your heart racing.
Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is best when taken on an empty stomach in the
morning. Food and certain minerals like calcium can interfere with the bioavailability of the
hormone. Patients should be taught that this is a lifelong therapy that should not be
stopped abruptly.
5. A nurse is reviewing the medication list of a patient with a history of peptic ulcer disease.
Which medication should the nurse identify as potentially harmful?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Famotidine
C. Sucralfate
D. Ibuprofen
Answer: D
Rationale: Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits
prostaglandin synthesis, which is necessary for protecting the gastric mucosa. This
inhibition can lead to the development or worsening of gastric ulcers and bleeding. Patients
with a history of GI issues should use NSAIDs with extreme caution or avoid them.
of Pharmacology Q&A with Rationale |
Rasmussen University
1. A patient is prescribed albuterol via a metered-dose inhaler for the treatment of asthma.
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. I will use this medication as my rescue inhaler during an attack.
B. I will take this medication every day on a fixed schedule to prevent attacks.
C. I will rinse my mouth with water after using the inhaler.
D. I will wait about one minute between puffs of the same medication.
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) intended for rescue use during
acute bronchospasms rather than daily maintenance. Long-term control is typically
managed with inhaled corticosteroids or long-acting agonists. The patient needs to
understand that relying on a rescue inhaler daily suggests poorly controlled asthma.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer morphine sulfate to a patient. Which assessment finding
should the nurse prioritize before administration?
A. Respiratory rate 10 breaths per minute
B. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
C. Temperature 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit
,D. Heart rate 82 beats per minute
Answer: A
Rationale: Opioids like morphine can cause significant respiratory depression by acting on
the central nervous system. A respiratory rate of 10 is below the normal range and
warrants withholding the medication and notifying the provider. Monitoring vital signs is a
critical safety intervention when managing opioid therapy.
3. A patient is being treated for a deep vein thrombosis with a continuous heparin infusion.
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to adjust the dosage?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count
Answer: C
Rationale: The aPTT is the standard laboratory test used to monitor the effectiveness of
heparin therapy and adjust dosing. PT and INR are typically used for monitoring warfarin
therapy rather than heparin. While platelet counts are monitored for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia, they do not dictate the titration of the infusion.
4. The nurse is teaching a patient about a new prescription for levothyroxine. What
instruction is most important for the nurse to include?
A. Take the medication with a full meal to avoid GI upset.
, B. Take the medication at bedtime with a glass of milk.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast.
D. Stop the medication immediately if you feel your heart racing.
Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is best when taken on an empty stomach in the
morning. Food and certain minerals like calcium can interfere with the bioavailability of the
hormone. Patients should be taught that this is a lifelong therapy that should not be
stopped abruptly.
5. A nurse is reviewing the medication list of a patient with a history of peptic ulcer disease.
Which medication should the nurse identify as potentially harmful?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Famotidine
C. Sucralfate
D. Ibuprofen
Answer: D
Rationale: Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits
prostaglandin synthesis, which is necessary for protecting the gastric mucosa. This
inhibition can lead to the development or worsening of gastric ulcers and bleeding. Patients
with a history of GI issues should use NSAIDs with extreme caution or avoid them.
