BSN | Midterm - Pharmacology and Health Assessment (Week
5/6) Questions With Answers and detailed Rationales
Question 1.
A nurse is performing a physical assessment on a client. Which technique should the nurse
use first when assessing the abdomen?
A. Inspection
B. Percussion
C. Palpation
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: A. Inspection
Explanation: In abdominal assessment, the sequence is Inspection, Auscultation,
Percussion, and then Palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
Question 2.
Which pharmacokinetic process involves the movement of a drug from its site of
administration into the bloodstream?
A. Distribution
B. Metabolism
C. Excretion
D. Absorption
Correct Answer: D. Absorption
Explanation: Absorption is the process of a drug moving from the administration site into
the systemic circulation.
Question 3.
The nurse is assessing a client’s heart sounds. Where is the best location to auscultate the
mitral valve?
A. Second intercostal space, right sternal border
B. Second intercostal space, left sternal border
C. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
D. Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border
Correct Answer: C. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
Explanation: The mitral valve (apex) is best heard at the 5th intercostal space at the left
midclavicular line.
, Question 4.
A client is prescribed an ACE inhibitor. Which of the following is a common side effect the
nurse should monitor for?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Peripheral edema
D. Persistent dry cough
Correct Answer: D. Persistent dry cough
Explanation: ACE inhibitors often cause a persistent nonproductive dry cough due to the
accumulation of bradykinin.
Question 5.
When assessing a client for jaundice, which area of the body is most reliable for the nurse
to inspect?
A. Palms of the hands
B. Sclera and hard palate
C. Skin on the abdomen
D. Nail beds
Correct Answer: B. Sclera and hard palate
Explanation: The sclera and the hard palate are the most reliable sites for assessing
jaundice, especially in dark-skinned individuals.
Question 6.
What is the primary site of drug metabolism in the human body?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Small intestine
Correct Answer: B. Liver
Explanation: The liver is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism
(biotransformation) through various enzyme systems.
Question 7.
A nurse is testing a client’s cranial nerve III (Oculomotor). Which assessment technique
should the nurse use?
A. Ask the client to smile and frown
B. Ask the client to shrug their shoulders
C. Assess the client’s hearing with a whisper test
D. Test the pupillary response to light
Correct Answer: D. Test the pupillary response to light
5/6) Questions With Answers and detailed Rationales
Question 1.
A nurse is performing a physical assessment on a client. Which technique should the nurse
use first when assessing the abdomen?
A. Inspection
B. Percussion
C. Palpation
D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: A. Inspection
Explanation: In abdominal assessment, the sequence is Inspection, Auscultation,
Percussion, and then Palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
Question 2.
Which pharmacokinetic process involves the movement of a drug from its site of
administration into the bloodstream?
A. Distribution
B. Metabolism
C. Excretion
D. Absorption
Correct Answer: D. Absorption
Explanation: Absorption is the process of a drug moving from the administration site into
the systemic circulation.
Question 3.
The nurse is assessing a client’s heart sounds. Where is the best location to auscultate the
mitral valve?
A. Second intercostal space, right sternal border
B. Second intercostal space, left sternal border
C. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
D. Fourth intercostal space, left sternal border
Correct Answer: C. Fifth intercostal space, left midclavicular line
Explanation: The mitral valve (apex) is best heard at the 5th intercostal space at the left
midclavicular line.
, Question 4.
A client is prescribed an ACE inhibitor. Which of the following is a common side effect the
nurse should monitor for?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Peripheral edema
D. Persistent dry cough
Correct Answer: D. Persistent dry cough
Explanation: ACE inhibitors often cause a persistent nonproductive dry cough due to the
accumulation of bradykinin.
Question 5.
When assessing a client for jaundice, which area of the body is most reliable for the nurse
to inspect?
A. Palms of the hands
B. Sclera and hard palate
C. Skin on the abdomen
D. Nail beds
Correct Answer: B. Sclera and hard palate
Explanation: The sclera and the hard palate are the most reliable sites for assessing
jaundice, especially in dark-skinned individuals.
Question 6.
What is the primary site of drug metabolism in the human body?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Small intestine
Correct Answer: B. Liver
Explanation: The liver is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism
(biotransformation) through various enzyme systems.
Question 7.
A nurse is testing a client’s cranial nerve III (Oculomotor). Which assessment technique
should the nurse use?
A. Ask the client to smile and frown
B. Ask the client to shrug their shoulders
C. Assess the client’s hearing with a whisper test
D. Test the pupillary response to light
Correct Answer: D. Test the pupillary response to light
