NCLEX-RN Pharmacology Practice Questions |
Introduction to Pharmacology |
20 Next-Gen NCLEX (NGN) Style MCQs with
Rationales |
Medication Safety, Pharmacokinetics &
Clinical Judgment
1-5
Question 1 (Easy)
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is caring for a 68-year-old man who has newly
diagnosed hypertension. The provider prescribes a daily oral
antihypertensive medication. Before administering the first
dose, the nurse verifies the client's identity using two
identifiers, reviews the medication administration record
(MAR), confirms the client's allergy history, and obtains baseline
vital signs.
Question Stem
,Which nursing action best demonstrates a fundamental
principle of safe medication administration before giving the
first dose of a medication?
A. Administer the medication immediately to avoid delaying
therapy.
B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers and assess for
allergies before administration.
C. Ask another client if they recognize the medication.
D. Wait until after administering the medication to review the
prescription.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer: B. Verify the client's identity using two
identifiers and assess for allergies before administration.
Detailed Rationale
Medication safety begins before the medication reaches the
client. Verifying two approved client identifiers (such as name
and date of birth) and confirming allergy status are essential
steps in preventing medication errors. This process aligns with
the principles of the "Rights of Medication Administration,"
including the right patient and right medication. Establishing
baseline assessment findings, such as blood pressure before
administering an antihypertensive, also helps determine
whether the medication is appropriate at that time and
,provides a reference for evaluating therapeutic effectiveness
and adverse effects.
Option A is incorrect because administering medication without
completing safety checks increases the risk of preventable
medication errors. Timeliness is important but should never
compromise safety.
Option C is incorrect because another client cannot verify the
medication or identify the intended recipient. Confidentiality
and patient safety prohibit this practice.
Option D is incorrect because reviewing the prescription after
administration defeats the purpose of verifying the order
beforehand and increases the risk of administering an incorrect
medication or dose.
Nurses should consistently perform medication verification,
allergy assessment, and patient identification before every
medication administration, regardless of familiarity with the
client.
Learning Objectives
After completing this question, the learner should be able to:
• Apply two approved patient identifiers before medication
administration.
• Explain the importance of allergy verification.
, • Describe key components of safe medication
administration before the first dose.
Medication Safety Focus
Medication Administration
Question 2 (Easy)
Clinical Scenario
A 74-year-old woman is admitted with dehydration after several
days of vomiting. The provider prescribes an intravenous
medication that is eliminated primarily through the kidneys.
Laboratory results reveal:
• Serum creatinine: 2.0 mg/dL
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): 38 mg/dL
• Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): 30
mL/min/1.73 m²
Question Stem
Which factor is most likely to affect how quickly this medication
is eliminated from the client's body?
A. Reduced renal function
B. Hair color
C. Body temperature
Introduction to Pharmacology |
20 Next-Gen NCLEX (NGN) Style MCQs with
Rationales |
Medication Safety, Pharmacokinetics &
Clinical Judgment
1-5
Question 1 (Easy)
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is caring for a 68-year-old man who has newly
diagnosed hypertension. The provider prescribes a daily oral
antihypertensive medication. Before administering the first
dose, the nurse verifies the client's identity using two
identifiers, reviews the medication administration record
(MAR), confirms the client's allergy history, and obtains baseline
vital signs.
Question Stem
,Which nursing action best demonstrates a fundamental
principle of safe medication administration before giving the
first dose of a medication?
A. Administer the medication immediately to avoid delaying
therapy.
B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers and assess for
allergies before administration.
C. Ask another client if they recognize the medication.
D. Wait until after administering the medication to review the
prescription.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer: B. Verify the client's identity using two
identifiers and assess for allergies before administration.
Detailed Rationale
Medication safety begins before the medication reaches the
client. Verifying two approved client identifiers (such as name
and date of birth) and confirming allergy status are essential
steps in preventing medication errors. This process aligns with
the principles of the "Rights of Medication Administration,"
including the right patient and right medication. Establishing
baseline assessment findings, such as blood pressure before
administering an antihypertensive, also helps determine
whether the medication is appropriate at that time and
,provides a reference for evaluating therapeutic effectiveness
and adverse effects.
Option A is incorrect because administering medication without
completing safety checks increases the risk of preventable
medication errors. Timeliness is important but should never
compromise safety.
Option C is incorrect because another client cannot verify the
medication or identify the intended recipient. Confidentiality
and patient safety prohibit this practice.
Option D is incorrect because reviewing the prescription after
administration defeats the purpose of verifying the order
beforehand and increases the risk of administering an incorrect
medication or dose.
Nurses should consistently perform medication verification,
allergy assessment, and patient identification before every
medication administration, regardless of familiarity with the
client.
Learning Objectives
After completing this question, the learner should be able to:
• Apply two approved patient identifiers before medication
administration.
• Explain the importance of allergy verification.
, • Describe key components of safe medication
administration before the first dose.
Medication Safety Focus
Medication Administration
Question 2 (Easy)
Clinical Scenario
A 74-year-old woman is admitted with dehydration after several
days of vomiting. The provider prescribes an intravenous
medication that is eliminated primarily through the kidneys.
Laboratory results reveal:
• Serum creatinine: 2.0 mg/dL
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): 38 mg/dL
• Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): 30
mL/min/1.73 m²
Question Stem
Which factor is most likely to affect how quickly this medication
is eliminated from the client's body?
A. Reduced renal function
B. Hair color
C. Body temperature
