NU 641 Exam 1 Practice Questions with 100% Correct
Answers | Verified | Latest Update 2026/2027
1. A patient is prescribed acetaminophen with hydrocodone (Vicodin) to
manage pain from a fractured wrist. What teaching point should the nurse
reinforce to this patient for home care?
Take with meals three times a day
Take additional acetaminophen if the pain is unrelieved
Discontinue the medication after one week
Avoid alcohol while taking this medication
2. What is one reason why APRNs require full prescriptive authority?
There is a shortage of pharmacists.
Patients prefer to see physicians for prescriptions.
More patients will have access to health care.
APRNs need to reduce their workload.
3. Unlike many other penicillins, penicillin G is not recommended for use by
mouth (po). Why?
It upsets the stomach.
It is ineffectively absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
It is destroyed by gastric acid.
It causes severe diarrhea and intestinal cramping.
4. What is a potential consequence of administering two medications that
compete for plasma albumin receptor sites?
, All of the above
Only binding of one agent will be reduced
Only plasma levels of free drug will rise
Only the increase in free drug will intensify effects
5. What is the role of genetic testing in medication management according to
the FDA?
It determines the exact dosage of medications for all patients.
It helps prescribers tailor medications based on individual genetic
profiles.
It predicts the side effects of medications without testing.
It eliminates the need for patient monitoring.
6. If the nurse discovers that shortness of breath is a common adverse reaction
to the drug, what should be the next step in patient management?
Increase the dosage of the current medication.
Contact the provider to report the adverse reaction.
Administer a different medication immediately.
Monitor the patient for additional symptoms only.
7. A nurse educator is preparing a lecture regarding prescriptive authority for
advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Which statement is appropriate
for the educator to include in the lecture regarding this topic?
APRNs prescribe medications based on state regulations.
APRNs can only prescribe medications when under the supervision of
a physician.
, APRNs prescribe medications based on federal regulations.
APRNs prescribe medications based on local regulations.
8. What is the primary concern for a patient who consumes alcohol and is
prescribed hydrocodone with acetaminophen?
Increased risk of liver damage
Increased risk of addiction
Decreased effectiveness of acetaminophen
Decreased pain relief
9. A patient is a poor metabolizer for CYP2D6. What is the CIPIC
recommendation for tamoxifen for this pt?
Use alternate (aromatase) inhibitor
avoid CYP2D6 inhibitors + start with recommended dose of tamoxifen
(20mg/day)
Consider alternate inhibitor/± ovarian suppressor OR ↑ tamoxifen to
40mg/day
Use CYP2D6 inhibitors + start recommended dose of tamoxifen
10. Why is it crucial for a patient with diabetes to demonstrate insulin
administration before discharge?
It allows the nurse to assess the patient's dietary knowledge.
It prepares the patient for potential hospital readmissions.
It helps the patient remember to take their medications.
It ensures the patient understands how to manage their condition
effectively.
, 11. A provider is teaching a group of women about medications. The women
want to know why so many drugs have unpredictable effects in women. What
should the provider communicate to the women?
Drugs usually have more toxic effects in women.
Women metabolize drugs more slowly.
Women have varying responses to drugs during menstrual cycles.
Most known drug effects are based on drug trials in men.
12. A patient is prescribed amoxicillin for strep reports new onset of a flat, red
rash on the chest and neck. Which action is most important?
Provide different med
Assess for respiratory compromise
Discontinue the med
Prescribe an antihistamine cream.
13. If a nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis, what should be a primary
consideration when prescribing medications?
Avoiding all medications due to the patient's condition.
Prescribing standard dosages without modification.
Increasing the dosage to ensure effectiveness.
Adjusting the dosage of medications based on altered metabolism.
14. If a patient reports that their sibling experiences severe side effects from a
medication that the patient tolerates well, what should the nurse consider as
a possible explanation?
Genetic variations affecting drug metabolism
Answers | Verified | Latest Update 2026/2027
1. A patient is prescribed acetaminophen with hydrocodone (Vicodin) to
manage pain from a fractured wrist. What teaching point should the nurse
reinforce to this patient for home care?
Take with meals three times a day
Take additional acetaminophen if the pain is unrelieved
Discontinue the medication after one week
Avoid alcohol while taking this medication
2. What is one reason why APRNs require full prescriptive authority?
There is a shortage of pharmacists.
Patients prefer to see physicians for prescriptions.
More patients will have access to health care.
APRNs need to reduce their workload.
3. Unlike many other penicillins, penicillin G is not recommended for use by
mouth (po). Why?
It upsets the stomach.
It is ineffectively absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
It is destroyed by gastric acid.
It causes severe diarrhea and intestinal cramping.
4. What is a potential consequence of administering two medications that
compete for plasma albumin receptor sites?
, All of the above
Only binding of one agent will be reduced
Only plasma levels of free drug will rise
Only the increase in free drug will intensify effects
5. What is the role of genetic testing in medication management according to
the FDA?
It determines the exact dosage of medications for all patients.
It helps prescribers tailor medications based on individual genetic
profiles.
It predicts the side effects of medications without testing.
It eliminates the need for patient monitoring.
6. If the nurse discovers that shortness of breath is a common adverse reaction
to the drug, what should be the next step in patient management?
Increase the dosage of the current medication.
Contact the provider to report the adverse reaction.
Administer a different medication immediately.
Monitor the patient for additional symptoms only.
7. A nurse educator is preparing a lecture regarding prescriptive authority for
advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Which statement is appropriate
for the educator to include in the lecture regarding this topic?
APRNs prescribe medications based on state regulations.
APRNs can only prescribe medications when under the supervision of
a physician.
, APRNs prescribe medications based on federal regulations.
APRNs prescribe medications based on local regulations.
8. What is the primary concern for a patient who consumes alcohol and is
prescribed hydrocodone with acetaminophen?
Increased risk of liver damage
Increased risk of addiction
Decreased effectiveness of acetaminophen
Decreased pain relief
9. A patient is a poor metabolizer for CYP2D6. What is the CIPIC
recommendation for tamoxifen for this pt?
Use alternate (aromatase) inhibitor
avoid CYP2D6 inhibitors + start with recommended dose of tamoxifen
(20mg/day)
Consider alternate inhibitor/± ovarian suppressor OR ↑ tamoxifen to
40mg/day
Use CYP2D6 inhibitors + start recommended dose of tamoxifen
10. Why is it crucial for a patient with diabetes to demonstrate insulin
administration before discharge?
It allows the nurse to assess the patient's dietary knowledge.
It prepares the patient for potential hospital readmissions.
It helps the patient remember to take their medications.
It ensures the patient understands how to manage their condition
effectively.
, 11. A provider is teaching a group of women about medications. The women
want to know why so many drugs have unpredictable effects in women. What
should the provider communicate to the women?
Drugs usually have more toxic effects in women.
Women metabolize drugs more slowly.
Women have varying responses to drugs during menstrual cycles.
Most known drug effects are based on drug trials in men.
12. A patient is prescribed amoxicillin for strep reports new onset of a flat, red
rash on the chest and neck. Which action is most important?
Provide different med
Assess for respiratory compromise
Discontinue the med
Prescribe an antihistamine cream.
13. If a nurse is caring for a patient with cirrhosis, what should be a primary
consideration when prescribing medications?
Avoiding all medications due to the patient's condition.
Prescribing standard dosages without modification.
Increasing the dosage to ensure effectiveness.
Adjusting the dosage of medications based on altered metabolism.
14. If a patient reports that their sibling experiences severe side effects from a
medication that the patient tolerates well, what should the nurse consider as
a possible explanation?
Genetic variations affecting drug metabolism
