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Introduction to Pharmacology NCLEX-RN
Practice Test Bank |
20 Original NGN-Style MCQs with Rationales |
Nursing Pharmacology Exam Prep Study Guide
Question 1
Clinical Scenario
A 68-year-old man is admitted with community-
acquired pneumonia. His medical history
includes hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus,
and chronic kidney disease stage 3. During
medication reconciliation, the nurse discovers
the client is taking prescription medications,
two herbal supplements, and several over-the-
,counter (OTC) products. The provider plans to
prescribe a new antibiotic.
Question Stem
Which nursing action is the highest priority
before administering the first dose of the
prescribed medication?
A. Review the client's complete list of
prescription, OTC, and herbal medications.
B. Administer the antibiotic immediately to
avoid delaying treatment.
C. Ask the client whether the medication has
been taken previously.
D. Encourage increased oral fluid intake after
the medication is administered.
Correct Answer
,Correct Answer: A. Review the client's
complete list of prescription, OTC, and herbal
medications.
Detailed Rationale
Medication reconciliation is one of the most
effective strategies for preventing medication
errors and adverse drug events. Before
administering any newly prescribed medication,
the nurse should obtain and verify a complete
list of prescription medications, OTC products,
vitamins, and herbal supplements. Herbal
products such as St. John's wort, ginkgo biloba,
and garlic may significantly alter drug
metabolism or increase bleeding risk. Kidney
disease further increases the likelihood of drug
accumulation and toxicity, making medication
reconciliation especially important before
initiating therapy.
, Option B is incorrect because timely antibiotic
administration is important, but administering a
medication without first evaluating for potential
interactions or contraindications could
jeopardize patient safety.
Option C provides useful historical information
but does not replace a comprehensive
medication review. A client may have tolerated
a medication previously yet now be taking
interacting drugs.
Option D may be appropriate for some
medications but is not the priority before the
initial dose.
Nurses play a critical role in identifying
duplicate therapies, allergies, interactions, and
contraindications before medication
administration. Careful medication