RN PHARMACOLOGY VATI RE EVALUATION
2026 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT SCRIPT
SOLVED QUESTIONS ANSWERS UPDATED
REVIEW SET
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following
orthopedic surgery and receiving IV ketorolac. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as the priority to report
to the provider?
a. Dry mouth
b. Oliguria
c. Nausea
d. Altered taste
Answer: b. Oliguria
The nurse should identify that the greatest risk to the client is renal
insufficiency or renal toxicity, both of which are potential adverse
effects of ketorolac. Therefore, oliguria, or decreased urine output, is
the priority finding for the nurse to report to the provider.
◉ A nurse is reviewing the laboratory report for a client who has
been taking sodium polystyrene sulfonate. Which of the following
findings indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
,a. magnesium 1.5 mEq/L
b. calcium 9.2 mg/dL
c. sodium 140 mEq/L
d. potassium 4.8 mEq/L
Answer: d. potassium 4.8 mEq/L
Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a cationic exchange resin
administered to treat hyperkalemia. A potassium level of 4.8 is
within the expected reference range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L and indicates
that the client has experienced a therapeutic response to the
medication. The nurse should closely monitor the client's potassium
level throughout treatment and notify the provider when the
potassium level drops within 4 to 5 mEq/L.
◉ A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a
gastric ulcer and a new prescription for esomeprazole. Which of the
following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. Continue taking ibuprofen for pain relief.
b. Crush the medication and mix it with applesauce.
c. Take the medication 60 min before a meal.
d. Insomnia is a common adverse effect of the medication.
Answer: c. Take the medication 60 min before a meal.
, Food affects the absorption of esomeprazole. For optimal
absorption, the client should take the medication at least 60 min
before a meal
◉ A nurse is planning care for a client who is taking tamoxifen for
treatment of breast cancer. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse include in the plan? (select all that apply)
a. Monitor the client's calcium level.
b. Monitor the client for pulmonary embolus.
c. Advise the client of the potential for menstrual irregularities.
d. Advise the client of the potential for peripheral neuropathy.
e. Advise the client of the potential for hot flashes.
Answer: a. Monitor the client's calcium level.
b. Monitor the client for pulmonary embolus.
c. Advise the client of the potential for menstrual irregularities.
e. Advise the client of the potential for hot flashes.
◉ A nurse is teaching a client who has a diagnoses of heart failure
about furosemide. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include in the teaching about this medication? (select all that
apply)
a. Eat foods high in potassium regularly.
b. Report any indications of hearing loss.
c. Rise slowly from a sitting or lying position.
2026 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT SCRIPT
SOLVED QUESTIONS ANSWERS UPDATED
REVIEW SET
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following
orthopedic surgery and receiving IV ketorolac. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as the priority to report
to the provider?
a. Dry mouth
b. Oliguria
c. Nausea
d. Altered taste
Answer: b. Oliguria
The nurse should identify that the greatest risk to the client is renal
insufficiency or renal toxicity, both of which are potential adverse
effects of ketorolac. Therefore, oliguria, or decreased urine output, is
the priority finding for the nurse to report to the provider.
◉ A nurse is reviewing the laboratory report for a client who has
been taking sodium polystyrene sulfonate. Which of the following
findings indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
,a. magnesium 1.5 mEq/L
b. calcium 9.2 mg/dL
c. sodium 140 mEq/L
d. potassium 4.8 mEq/L
Answer: d. potassium 4.8 mEq/L
Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a cationic exchange resin
administered to treat hyperkalemia. A potassium level of 4.8 is
within the expected reference range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L and indicates
that the client has experienced a therapeutic response to the
medication. The nurse should closely monitor the client's potassium
level throughout treatment and notify the provider when the
potassium level drops within 4 to 5 mEq/L.
◉ A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a
gastric ulcer and a new prescription for esomeprazole. Which of the
following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
a. Continue taking ibuprofen for pain relief.
b. Crush the medication and mix it with applesauce.
c. Take the medication 60 min before a meal.
d. Insomnia is a common adverse effect of the medication.
Answer: c. Take the medication 60 min before a meal.
, Food affects the absorption of esomeprazole. For optimal
absorption, the client should take the medication at least 60 min
before a meal
◉ A nurse is planning care for a client who is taking tamoxifen for
treatment of breast cancer. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse include in the plan? (select all that apply)
a. Monitor the client's calcium level.
b. Monitor the client for pulmonary embolus.
c. Advise the client of the potential for menstrual irregularities.
d. Advise the client of the potential for peripheral neuropathy.
e. Advise the client of the potential for hot flashes.
Answer: a. Monitor the client's calcium level.
b. Monitor the client for pulmonary embolus.
c. Advise the client of the potential for menstrual irregularities.
e. Advise the client of the potential for hot flashes.
◉ A nurse is teaching a client who has a diagnoses of heart failure
about furosemide. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include in the teaching about this medication? (select all that
apply)
a. Eat foods high in potassium regularly.
b. Report any indications of hearing loss.
c. Rise slowly from a sitting or lying position.
