NCLEX-RN Pharmacology Practice Questions
PDF |
Introduction to Pharmacology |
20 ATI & NGN-Style NCLEX Questions with
Detailed Rationales |
Medication Safety, Drug Interactions, Clinical
Judgment, Nursing Exam Study Guide
Question 1
Clinical Scenario
A 72-year-old man is admitted with community-acquired
pneumonia. His medical history includes hypertension, chronic
kidney disease (stage 3), and osteoarthritis. The provider
prescribes several new medications. During medication
reconciliation, the nurse discovers the client has been taking an
over-the-counter herbal supplement and occasionally doubles
his prescribed blood pressure medication when he feels
"stressed."
,Question Stem
Which nursing action is the highest priority before
administering the newly prescribed medications?
A. Administer all prescribed medications because they were
verified by the provider.
B. Complete a comprehensive medication reconciliation,
including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products.
C. Instruct the client to discontinue all herbal supplements
immediately.
D. Delay medication administration until the client's family
provides every medication container from home.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer: B. Complete a comprehensive medication
reconciliation, including prescription, over-the-counter, and
herbal products.
Detailed Rationale
Medication reconciliation is a critical patient safety process
performed whenever a patient transitions between healthcare
settings. It involves obtaining the most accurate list of all
medications—including prescription drugs, over-the-counter
medications, vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements—to
identify omissions, duplications, interactions, dosing errors, or
,contraindications. This client's admission of taking herbal
supplements and occasionally self-adjusting antihypertensive
doses significantly increases the risk of adverse drug events.
The nurse should verify all medications before administering
newly prescribed therapies.
Option A is incorrect because provider orders do not eliminate
the need for nursing assessment and medication reconciliation.
Nurses remain responsible for identifying potential safety
concerns before administration.
Option C is incorrect because although some herbal products
may require discontinuation, the nurse should first identify
which supplement the client is taking. Recommendations vary
depending on the product and potential interactions.
Option D is incorrect because delaying all medications may
unnecessarily postpone essential therapy. Medication
reconciliation should begin immediately using the client's
history while additional information is obtained if needed.
Medication reconciliation reduces preventable medication
errors, especially in older adults who commonly use multiple
medications. Nurses should document findings, clarify
discrepancies with the provider, and educate patients about
taking medications exactly as prescribed rather than altering
doses independently.
Learning Objectives
, After completing this question, the learner should be able to:
• Explain the purpose of medication reconciliation.
• Identify components of a complete medication history.
• Prioritize nursing actions that prevent medication errors.
• Recognize risks associated with self-adjusting medication
doses.
Medication Safety Focus
Medication Reconciliation
Question 2
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a
hospitalized client. Before administration, the client states,
"That pill looks different from the one I take at home."
Question Stem
Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Reassure the client that hospitals often use different
manufacturers and administer the medication.
B. Ask another nurse if the medication appears correct.
PDF |
Introduction to Pharmacology |
20 ATI & NGN-Style NCLEX Questions with
Detailed Rationales |
Medication Safety, Drug Interactions, Clinical
Judgment, Nursing Exam Study Guide
Question 1
Clinical Scenario
A 72-year-old man is admitted with community-acquired
pneumonia. His medical history includes hypertension, chronic
kidney disease (stage 3), and osteoarthritis. The provider
prescribes several new medications. During medication
reconciliation, the nurse discovers the client has been taking an
over-the-counter herbal supplement and occasionally doubles
his prescribed blood pressure medication when he feels
"stressed."
,Question Stem
Which nursing action is the highest priority before
administering the newly prescribed medications?
A. Administer all prescribed medications because they were
verified by the provider.
B. Complete a comprehensive medication reconciliation,
including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products.
C. Instruct the client to discontinue all herbal supplements
immediately.
D. Delay medication administration until the client's family
provides every medication container from home.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer: B. Complete a comprehensive medication
reconciliation, including prescription, over-the-counter, and
herbal products.
Detailed Rationale
Medication reconciliation is a critical patient safety process
performed whenever a patient transitions between healthcare
settings. It involves obtaining the most accurate list of all
medications—including prescription drugs, over-the-counter
medications, vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements—to
identify omissions, duplications, interactions, dosing errors, or
,contraindications. This client's admission of taking herbal
supplements and occasionally self-adjusting antihypertensive
doses significantly increases the risk of adverse drug events.
The nurse should verify all medications before administering
newly prescribed therapies.
Option A is incorrect because provider orders do not eliminate
the need for nursing assessment and medication reconciliation.
Nurses remain responsible for identifying potential safety
concerns before administration.
Option C is incorrect because although some herbal products
may require discontinuation, the nurse should first identify
which supplement the client is taking. Recommendations vary
depending on the product and potential interactions.
Option D is incorrect because delaying all medications may
unnecessarily postpone essential therapy. Medication
reconciliation should begin immediately using the client's
history while additional information is obtained if needed.
Medication reconciliation reduces preventable medication
errors, especially in older adults who commonly use multiple
medications. Nurses should document findings, clarify
discrepancies with the provider, and educate patients about
taking medications exactly as prescribed rather than altering
doses independently.
Learning Objectives
, After completing this question, the learner should be able to:
• Explain the purpose of medication reconciliation.
• Identify components of a complete medication history.
• Prioritize nursing actions that prevent medication errors.
• Recognize risks associated with self-adjusting medication
doses.
Medication Safety Focus
Medication Reconciliation
Question 2
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a
hospitalized client. Before administration, the client states,
"That pill looks different from the one I take at home."
Question Stem
Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Reassure the client that hospitals often use different
manufacturers and administer the medication.
B. Ask another nurse if the medication appears correct.
