2026/2027 | Pharm Q&A |
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. Which of the
following actions is an example of the "right documentation" according to the
rights of medication administration?
A) Documenting the medication administration after the shift is complete
B) Documenting the medication as given before it is actually administered
C) Recording the medication administration immediately after giving it,
including the time, dose, and route
D) Documenting the medication in the client's chart using only the trade
name
Correct Answer: Recording the medication administration immediately after
giving it, including the time, dose, and route
Rationale: The six rights of medication administration are: right patient, right
drug, right dose, right route, right time, and right documentation. Right
documentation requires the nurse to record the medication administration
promptly and accurately after it has been given. This includes the time, dose,
route, and any relevant observations.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about a new medication. The client asks,
"What is the difference between the generic name and the trade name of a
drug?" Which of the following responses by the nurse is correct?
A) "The generic name is the name assigned by the manufacturer, and the
trade name is the official name."
B) "The generic name is the chemical composition of the drug, and the trade
name is the name assigned by the FDA."
C) "The generic name is the nonproprietary name, and the trade name is the
brand name given by the manufacturer."
D) "The generic name and the trade name are the same thing."
,Correct Answer: "The generic name is the nonproprietary name, and the
trade name is the brand name given by the manufacturer."
Rationale: A drug has three names: the chemical name (describes the
molecular structure), the generic name (the nonproprietary, official name),
and the trade or brand name (the proprietary name given by the
manufacturer). Understanding these distinctions is important for safe
medication administration and client education.
3. A nurse is reviewing the concept of pharmacokinetics with a nursing
student. Which of the following statements by the student indicates an
understanding of this concept?
A) "Pharmacokinetics is the study of what the drug does to the body."
B) "Pharmacokinetics is the study of what the body does to the drug."
C) "Pharmacokinetics is the study of the drug's mechanism of action."
D) "Pharmacokinetics is the study of the drug's adverse effects."
Correct Answer: "Pharmacokinetics is the study of what the body does to the
drug."
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics is the study of how medications travel through
the body and what happens to a drug from the time it is put into the body. It
involves the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
(ADME). Pharmacodynamics, in contrast, is the study of what the drug does
to the body.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication. The nurse
understands that the first-pass effect primarily occurs in which organ?
A) The kidneys
B) The liver
C) The lungs
,D) The heart
Correct Answer: The liver
Rationale: The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of a drug at a
specific location, which usually occurs in the liver. When a drug is absorbed
from the gastrointestinal tract, it travels through the portal vein to the liver,
where it may be extensively metabolized before reaching systemic
circulation. This reduces the bioavailability of the drug.
5. A nurse is administering a medication that has a narrow therapeutic
range. Which of the following actions is most important for the nurse to take?
A) Administer the medication with food to enhance absorption
B) Monitor the client's serum drug levels closely
C) Administer the medication at the same time each day
D) Assess the client's vital signs before each dose
Correct Answer: Monitor the client's serum drug levels closely
Rationale: Drugs with a narrow therapeutic range have a small margin
between therapeutic and toxic doses. Monitoring serum drug levels is
essential to ensure the client receives a dose that is both effective and safe.
This helps to prevent toxicity while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.
6. A nurse is reviewing a client's medication list. The nurse notes that the
client is taking a drug that is classified as Pregnancy Category X. Which of
the following is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?
A) Administer the medication as prescribed
B) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C) Educate the client about the benefits of the medication
, D) Assess the client for adverse effects
Correct Answer: Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Rationale: The FDA has established pregnancy categories for medications.
Category X drugs have documented fetal abnormalities and are
contraindicated during pregnancy. If a pregnant client is prescribed a
Category X drug, the nurse should notify the provider immediately to prevent
potential harm to the fetus.
7. A nurse is administering a medication to an older adult client. Which of the
following factors in the older adult population is most likely to affect drug
excretion?
A) Decreased gastric emptying
B) Increased total body water
C) Decreased hepatic blood flow
D) Decreased renal function
Correct Answer: Decreased renal function
Rationale: In older adults, physiologic changes affect pharmacokinetics.
Decreased renal function is a common age-related change that can
significantly impair drug excretion. This can lead to drug accumulation and
increased risk of toxicity if doses are not adjusted.
8. A nurse is preparing to administer an intravenous (IV) medication. Which
of the following is the most important action to ensure client safety?
A) Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
B) Assess the client's allergy status
C) Check the medication against the provider's order