NCLEX Pharmacology Practice Questions
Test Bank
(20 ORIGINAL NGN High-Quality MCQs with
Rationales)
Question 1
Clinical Scenario
A 72-year-old woman is admitted with community-acquired
pneumonia. She has a history of hypertension, osteoarthritis,
and chronic kidney disease stage 3. During medication
reconciliation, the nurse discovers the client takes several
prescription medications, an over-the-counter ibuprofen
product for knee pain, and an herbal supplement for memory.
The provider plans to prescribe antibiotics and additional
medications during hospitalization.
Question Stem
,Which nursing action is the highest priority before
administering the newly prescribed medications?
A. Ask the client to stop taking all herbal supplements after
discharge.
B. Complete a thorough medication reconciliation, including
prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products.
C. Administer the prescribed medications immediately to avoid
delaying treatment.
D. Instruct the client to take all home medications exactly as
before hospitalization.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer: B. Complete a thorough medication
reconciliation, including prescription, over-the-counter, and
herbal products.
Detailed Rationale
Medication reconciliation is a fundamental patient safety
process that helps prevent medication errors during transitions
of care. The nurse should obtain a complete and accurate list of
all prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs,
vitamins, and herbal supplements before administering new
medications. Older adults frequently use multiple medications
(polypharmacy), increasing the risk of drug-drug interactions,
duplicate therapy, adverse drug reactions, and dosing errors.
,Herbal products such as ginkgo, garlic, and St. John's wort may
significantly alter the effects of prescribed medications.
Option A is inappropriate because herbal supplements should
not automatically be discontinued without provider evaluation;
some require gradual discontinuation or further assessment.
Option C is unsafe because administering medications before
reconciliation increases the risk of serious medication errors,
allergic reactions, or harmful interactions.
Option D is incorrect because home medications often require
modification during acute illness, hospitalization, or changes in
kidney function. Some medications may need dosage
adjustments or temporary discontinuation.
Accurate medication reconciliation supports safe prescribing,
reduces preventable adverse drug events, and promotes
continuity of care across healthcare settings.
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.
• Recognize how polypharmacy increases medication risk.
• Prioritize nursing actions that improve medication safety.
Medication Safety Focus
, Medication Reconciliation
Question 2
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is preparing to administer subcutaneous insulin to a
hospitalized client with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Before giving
the medication, the nurse verifies the client's identity using two
approved identifiers, compares the medication administration
record with the medication label, and confirms the prescribed
dose.
Question Stem
Which additional action best reflects adherence to the
principles of safe medication administration?
A. Ask another nurse to administer the insulin without verifying
the prescription.
B. Confirm the client's current blood glucose level before
administering the insulin.
C. Administer the insulin immediately without assessing meal
availability.
D. Delay administration until the next scheduled medication
pass.
Correct Answer
Test Bank
(20 ORIGINAL NGN High-Quality MCQs with
Rationales)
Question 1
Clinical Scenario
A 72-year-old woman is admitted with community-acquired
pneumonia. She has a history of hypertension, osteoarthritis,
and chronic kidney disease stage 3. During medication
reconciliation, the nurse discovers the client takes several
prescription medications, an over-the-counter ibuprofen
product for knee pain, and an herbal supplement for memory.
The provider plans to prescribe antibiotics and additional
medications during hospitalization.
Question Stem
,Which nursing action is the highest priority before
administering the newly prescribed medications?
A. Ask the client to stop taking all herbal supplements after
discharge.
B. Complete a thorough medication reconciliation, including
prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products.
C. Administer the prescribed medications immediately to avoid
delaying treatment.
D. Instruct the client to take all home medications exactly as
before hospitalization.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer: B. Complete a thorough medication
reconciliation, including prescription, over-the-counter, and
herbal products.
Detailed Rationale
Medication reconciliation is a fundamental patient safety
process that helps prevent medication errors during transitions
of care. The nurse should obtain a complete and accurate list of
all prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs,
vitamins, and herbal supplements before administering new
medications. Older adults frequently use multiple medications
(polypharmacy), increasing the risk of drug-drug interactions,
duplicate therapy, adverse drug reactions, and dosing errors.
,Herbal products such as ginkgo, garlic, and St. John's wort may
significantly alter the effects of prescribed medications.
Option A is inappropriate because herbal supplements should
not automatically be discontinued without provider evaluation;
some require gradual discontinuation or further assessment.
Option C is unsafe because administering medications before
reconciliation increases the risk of serious medication errors,
allergic reactions, or harmful interactions.
Option D is incorrect because home medications often require
modification during acute illness, hospitalization, or changes in
kidney function. Some medications may need dosage
adjustments or temporary discontinuation.
Accurate medication reconciliation supports safe prescribing,
reduces preventable adverse drug events, and promotes
continuity of care across healthcare settings.
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.
• Recognize how polypharmacy increases medication risk.
• Prioritize nursing actions that improve medication safety.
Medication Safety Focus
, Medication Reconciliation
Question 2
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is preparing to administer subcutaneous insulin to a
hospitalized client with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Before giving
the medication, the nurse verifies the client's identity using two
approved identifiers, compares the medication administration
record with the medication label, and confirms the prescribed
dose.
Question Stem
Which additional action best reflects adherence to the
principles of safe medication administration?
A. Ask another nurse to administer the insulin without verifying
the prescription.
B. Confirm the client's current blood glucose level before
administering the insulin.
C. Administer the insulin immediately without assessing meal
availability.
D. Delay administration until the next scheduled medication
pass.
Correct Answer
