KAPLAN PN PHARMACOLOGY A, B, C, D
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM | 200 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES |
BRAND NEW 2025/2026 VERSION
Core Domains
1. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics – Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism,
Excretion, Mechanism of Action, Receptor Binding, Half-Life
2. Medication Administration – Routes of Administration, Rights of Medication
Administration, Dosage Calculations, IV Therapy, Infusion Rates
3. Drug Classifications – Antibiotics, Antihypertensives, Antidiabetics,
Anticoagulants, Psychotropics, Respiratory Medications, Cardiac Glycosides,
Diuretics
4. Adverse Effects and Toxicity – Side Effects, Adverse Reactions, Black Box Warnings,
Toxic Levels, Antidotes, Drug-Induced Organ Damage
5. Drug Interactions – Synergistic, Antagonistic, Food-Drug Interactions, Herb-Drug
Interactions, Lab-Drug Interactions, Contraindications
6. High-Alert Medications – Heparin, Insulin, Opioids, Anticoagulants, Chemotherapy
Agents, Electrolytes, Sedatives
7. Pediatric and Geriatric Pharmacology – Age-Related Changes, Dosing
Adjustments, Safe Administration, Polypharmacy, Adverse Effects in Special
Populations
8. Patient Education and Adherence – Medication Teaching, Side Effect Management,
Compliance Strategies, Lifestyle Modifications, Self-Monitoring
9. Nursing Responsibilities – Pre-administration Assessment, Monitoring,
Documentation, Client Response Evaluation, Adverse Reaction Reporting,
Medication Reconciliation
10. NGN – Clinical Judgment, Bow-Tie Case Studies, Extended Multiple Response
(SATA), Unfolding Cases, Prioritization, Quality Improvement
,Introduction
This comprehensive practice examination is meticulously designed for practical
nursing students preparing for the Kaplan PN Pharmacology Integrated Examination.
The assessment covers all essential pharmacological domains required for
successful program completion and NCLEX-PN readiness, including
pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, medication administration, drug
classifications, adverse effects, drug interactions, high-alert medications, pediatric
and geriatric pharmacology, patient education, and nursing responsibilities. Through
a combination of multiple-choice questions, Select-All-That-Apply (SATA), and Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN) style case studies, candidates will demonstrate their
understanding of pharmacological principles, clinical judgment, and safe medication
administration in diverse patient scenarios. Each question includes a detailed
rationale explaining the correct answer and reinforcing key concepts. Successful
completion of this examination demonstrates readiness for the official Kaplan PN
Pharmacology assessment and the NCLEX-PN licensure examination.
SECTION A: QUESTIONS 1-50 (FUNDAMENTALS OF PHARMACOLOGY AND
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer 500 mg of amoxicillin PO. Available is
amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 15 mL
D. 20 mL
B. 10 mL
RATIONALE: Use the formula: Desired / Available × Quantity = 500 mg / 250 mg ×
5 mL = 2 × 5 mL = 10 mL. The nurse should administer 10 mL of amoxicillin.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication from an ampule. Which of the
following is an appropriate action for the nurse to take?
,A. Cleanse the tip of the ampule with an alcohol swab after opening
B. Add 0.5 mL of diluent to the medication
C. Use a filter needle to aspirate the medication
D. Inject air into the ampule prior to drawing the medication
C. Use a filter needle to aspirate the medication
RATIONALE: A filter needle can prevent glass particles from being drawn into the
syringe when aspirating medication from an ampule. Glass particles can cause harm
to the patient if injected.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of heparin. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Massage the site after injection
B. Aspirate before injecting
C. Use a 25-gauge needle
D. Administer the injection in the abdomen
D. Administer the injection in the abdomen
RATIONALE: Heparin is administered subcutaneously in the abdomen. The site
should not be massaged, and aspiration is not required. A smaller gauge needle (25-
27 gauge) is used.
4. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about the use of a metered-dose
inhaler (MDI). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Inhale rapidly after activating the inhaler
B. Hold the breath for 10 seconds after inhaling
C. Activate the inhaler before beginning inhalation
D. Exhale fully before placing the mouthpiece in the mouth
D. Exhale fully before placing the mouthpiece in the mouth
RATIONALE: The client should exhale fully before placing the mouthpiece in the
mouth, then activate the inhaler while beginning a slow, deep inhalation. The breath
should be held for 5-10 seconds.
, 5. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about the use of a patient-controlled
analgesia (PCA) pump. Which of the following statements by the client indicates
an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will ask my family member to push the button for me if I am asleep."
B. "I will push the button whenever I feel pain."
C. "I will push the button before physical therapy."
D. "I will notify the nurse if the pain is not relieved."
D. "I will notify the nurse if the pain is not relieved."
RATIONALE: The client should notify the nurse if pain is not relieved. Only the
client should push the PCA button (unless otherwise ordered). The client should
push the button when they feel pain, not just before activities.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take prior to administration?
A. Check the client's apical pulse for 1 full minute
B. Assess the client's respiratory rate
C. Measure the client's blood pressure
D. Check the client's serum potassium level
A. Check the client's apical pulse for 1 full minute
RATIONALE: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60/min in
adults. The apical pulse should be assessed for 1 full minute before administration.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer 1,000 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride IV to
infuse over 8 hours. The drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. Calculate the IV flow rate in
gtt/min.
A. 25 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min
C. 37 gtt/min
D. 42 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM | 200 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES |
BRAND NEW 2025/2026 VERSION
Core Domains
1. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics – Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism,
Excretion, Mechanism of Action, Receptor Binding, Half-Life
2. Medication Administration – Routes of Administration, Rights of Medication
Administration, Dosage Calculations, IV Therapy, Infusion Rates
3. Drug Classifications – Antibiotics, Antihypertensives, Antidiabetics,
Anticoagulants, Psychotropics, Respiratory Medications, Cardiac Glycosides,
Diuretics
4. Adverse Effects and Toxicity – Side Effects, Adverse Reactions, Black Box Warnings,
Toxic Levels, Antidotes, Drug-Induced Organ Damage
5. Drug Interactions – Synergistic, Antagonistic, Food-Drug Interactions, Herb-Drug
Interactions, Lab-Drug Interactions, Contraindications
6. High-Alert Medications – Heparin, Insulin, Opioids, Anticoagulants, Chemotherapy
Agents, Electrolytes, Sedatives
7. Pediatric and Geriatric Pharmacology – Age-Related Changes, Dosing
Adjustments, Safe Administration, Polypharmacy, Adverse Effects in Special
Populations
8. Patient Education and Adherence – Medication Teaching, Side Effect Management,
Compliance Strategies, Lifestyle Modifications, Self-Monitoring
9. Nursing Responsibilities – Pre-administration Assessment, Monitoring,
Documentation, Client Response Evaluation, Adverse Reaction Reporting,
Medication Reconciliation
10. NGN – Clinical Judgment, Bow-Tie Case Studies, Extended Multiple Response
(SATA), Unfolding Cases, Prioritization, Quality Improvement
,Introduction
This comprehensive practice examination is meticulously designed for practical
nursing students preparing for the Kaplan PN Pharmacology Integrated Examination.
The assessment covers all essential pharmacological domains required for
successful program completion and NCLEX-PN readiness, including
pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, medication administration, drug
classifications, adverse effects, drug interactions, high-alert medications, pediatric
and geriatric pharmacology, patient education, and nursing responsibilities. Through
a combination of multiple-choice questions, Select-All-That-Apply (SATA), and Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN) style case studies, candidates will demonstrate their
understanding of pharmacological principles, clinical judgment, and safe medication
administration in diverse patient scenarios. Each question includes a detailed
rationale explaining the correct answer and reinforcing key concepts. Successful
completion of this examination demonstrates readiness for the official Kaplan PN
Pharmacology assessment and the NCLEX-PN licensure examination.
SECTION A: QUESTIONS 1-50 (FUNDAMENTALS OF PHARMACOLOGY AND
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer 500 mg of amoxicillin PO. Available is
amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 15 mL
D. 20 mL
B. 10 mL
RATIONALE: Use the formula: Desired / Available × Quantity = 500 mg / 250 mg ×
5 mL = 2 × 5 mL = 10 mL. The nurse should administer 10 mL of amoxicillin.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication from an ampule. Which of the
following is an appropriate action for the nurse to take?
,A. Cleanse the tip of the ampule with an alcohol swab after opening
B. Add 0.5 mL of diluent to the medication
C. Use a filter needle to aspirate the medication
D. Inject air into the ampule prior to drawing the medication
C. Use a filter needle to aspirate the medication
RATIONALE: A filter needle can prevent glass particles from being drawn into the
syringe when aspirating medication from an ampule. Glass particles can cause harm
to the patient if injected.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of heparin. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Massage the site after injection
B. Aspirate before injecting
C. Use a 25-gauge needle
D. Administer the injection in the abdomen
D. Administer the injection in the abdomen
RATIONALE: Heparin is administered subcutaneously in the abdomen. The site
should not be massaged, and aspiration is not required. A smaller gauge needle (25-
27 gauge) is used.
4. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about the use of a metered-dose
inhaler (MDI). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Inhale rapidly after activating the inhaler
B. Hold the breath for 10 seconds after inhaling
C. Activate the inhaler before beginning inhalation
D. Exhale fully before placing the mouthpiece in the mouth
D. Exhale fully before placing the mouthpiece in the mouth
RATIONALE: The client should exhale fully before placing the mouthpiece in the
mouth, then activate the inhaler while beginning a slow, deep inhalation. The breath
should be held for 5-10 seconds.
, 5. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about the use of a patient-controlled
analgesia (PCA) pump. Which of the following statements by the client indicates
an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will ask my family member to push the button for me if I am asleep."
B. "I will push the button whenever I feel pain."
C. "I will push the button before physical therapy."
D. "I will notify the nurse if the pain is not relieved."
D. "I will notify the nurse if the pain is not relieved."
RATIONALE: The client should notify the nurse if pain is not relieved. Only the
client should push the PCA button (unless otherwise ordered). The client should
push the button when they feel pain, not just before activities.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take prior to administration?
A. Check the client's apical pulse for 1 full minute
B. Assess the client's respiratory rate
C. Measure the client's blood pressure
D. Check the client's serum potassium level
A. Check the client's apical pulse for 1 full minute
RATIONALE: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60/min in
adults. The apical pulse should be assessed for 1 full minute before administration.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer 1,000 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride IV to
infuse over 8 hours. The drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. Calculate the IV flow rate in
gtt/min.
A. 25 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min
C. 37 gtt/min
D. 42 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min
