NR 293 PHARMACOLOGY 2026 TEST QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔What are some nursing implications for opiod analgesics? - ✔✔Oral forms should be
taken with food to minimize gastric upset.
Ensure safety measures, such as keeping side rails up, to prevent injury.
Withhold dose and contact physician if there is a decline in the patient's condition or if
vital signs are abnormal, especially if respiratory rate is less than 10 to 12 breaths/min.
Check dosages carefully.
Constipation is a common adverse effect and
may be prevented with adequate fluid and
fiber intake.
Patients should be instructed to change positions slowly to prevent possible orthostatic
hypotension.
Respiratory depression may be manifested by respiratory rate of less than 10
breaths/min, dyspnea, diminished breath sounds, or shallow breathing.
✔✔What are anesthetics? - ✔✔Drugs that reduce or eliminate pain by depressing nerve
function in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system
✔✔What are the 3 types of anesthesia? - ✔✔General anesthesia: complete loss of
consciousness and loss of body reflexes, including paralysis of respiratory muscles.
Local anesthesia: no paralysis of respiratory function; elimination of pain sensation in
the tissues innervated by anesthetized nerves
Balanced anesthesia
, ✔✔The nurse anesthetist is planning to use balanced anesthesia during a surgical
procedure. A characteristic of this type of anesthesia is the
administration of minimal doses of multiple anesthetic drugs.
administration of inhaled anesthetics.
intravenous (IV) administration of anesthetics.
administration of anesthetics to cause muscle relaxation. - ✔✔Correct answer: A
Rationale: The use of a combination of drugs allows less of each drug to be used and a
more balanced, controlled state of anesthesia to be achieved.
✔✔When assessing a patient under general anesthesia, which change to organ
systems does the nurse expect?
Nystagmus
Skeletal muscle contraction
Hypertension
Decreased intracranial pressure - ✔✔Correct answer: A
Rationale: Nystagmus can occur as a result of the use of general anesthesia. Other
findings include skeletal muscle relaxation, hypotension, and increased intracranial
pressure.
✔✔What are some indications for anesthetic? - ✔✔General anesthetics are used during
surgical procedures to produce:
Unconsciousness
Skeletal muscular relaxation
Visceral smooth muscle relaxation
Also used in electroconvulsive therapy treatments for depression
✔✔What are adverse effects of anesthesia? - ✔✔Vary according to dosage and drug
used
Sites primarily affected
Heart, peripheral circulation, liver, kidneys, respiratory tract
Myocardial depression is commonly seen
Malignant hyperthermia
✔✔DEscribe Malignant hyperthermia - ✔✔Occurs during or after volatile inhaled
general anesthesia or use of the neuromuscular blocking drug (NMBD) succinylcholine
Sudden elevation in body temperature (greater than 104° F)
AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔What are some nursing implications for opiod analgesics? - ✔✔Oral forms should be
taken with food to minimize gastric upset.
Ensure safety measures, such as keeping side rails up, to prevent injury.
Withhold dose and contact physician if there is a decline in the patient's condition or if
vital signs are abnormal, especially if respiratory rate is less than 10 to 12 breaths/min.
Check dosages carefully.
Constipation is a common adverse effect and
may be prevented with adequate fluid and
fiber intake.
Patients should be instructed to change positions slowly to prevent possible orthostatic
hypotension.
Respiratory depression may be manifested by respiratory rate of less than 10
breaths/min, dyspnea, diminished breath sounds, or shallow breathing.
✔✔What are anesthetics? - ✔✔Drugs that reduce or eliminate pain by depressing nerve
function in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system
✔✔What are the 3 types of anesthesia? - ✔✔General anesthesia: complete loss of
consciousness and loss of body reflexes, including paralysis of respiratory muscles.
Local anesthesia: no paralysis of respiratory function; elimination of pain sensation in
the tissues innervated by anesthetized nerves
Balanced anesthesia
, ✔✔The nurse anesthetist is planning to use balanced anesthesia during a surgical
procedure. A characteristic of this type of anesthesia is the
administration of minimal doses of multiple anesthetic drugs.
administration of inhaled anesthetics.
intravenous (IV) administration of anesthetics.
administration of anesthetics to cause muscle relaxation. - ✔✔Correct answer: A
Rationale: The use of a combination of drugs allows less of each drug to be used and a
more balanced, controlled state of anesthesia to be achieved.
✔✔When assessing a patient under general anesthesia, which change to organ
systems does the nurse expect?
Nystagmus
Skeletal muscle contraction
Hypertension
Decreased intracranial pressure - ✔✔Correct answer: A
Rationale: Nystagmus can occur as a result of the use of general anesthesia. Other
findings include skeletal muscle relaxation, hypotension, and increased intracranial
pressure.
✔✔What are some indications for anesthetic? - ✔✔General anesthetics are used during
surgical procedures to produce:
Unconsciousness
Skeletal muscular relaxation
Visceral smooth muscle relaxation
Also used in electroconvulsive therapy treatments for depression
✔✔What are adverse effects of anesthesia? - ✔✔Vary according to dosage and drug
used
Sites primarily affected
Heart, peripheral circulation, liver, kidneys, respiratory tract
Myocardial depression is commonly seen
Malignant hyperthermia
✔✔DEscribe Malignant hyperthermia - ✔✔Occurs during or after volatile inhaled
general anesthesia or use of the neuromuscular blocking drug (NMBD) succinylcholine
Sudden elevation in body temperature (greater than 104° F)
