BSN | Midterm: Pharmacology and Health Assessment (Week
5-6) Questions With Answers and detailed Rationales
Question 1.
When performing a physical assessment of the abdomen, in which order should the nurse
perform the assessment techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Correct Answer: B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Explanation: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed before percussion and
palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds through physical manipulation.
Question 2.
A patient is prescribed a medication that has a high ‘first-pass effect.’ Which route of
administration should the nurse expect the provider to avoid if a rapid systemic effect is
needed?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Intravenous
D. Transdermal
Correct Answer: A. Oral
Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of a drug in the liver after oral
absorption, which significantly reduces the concentration of the drug before it reaches
systemic circulation.
Question 3.
The nurse is assessing a patient’s peripheral pulses and notes they are weak and thready.
How should the nurse document this finding on a scale of 0 to 4+?
A. 4+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 1+
Correct Answer: D. 1+
Explanation: On a standard 0-4+ scale, 0 is absent, 1+ is weak/thready, 2+ is normal, 3+
is full/increased, and 4+ is bounding.
, Question 4.
A nurse is preparing to administer Digoxin to a patient. Which assessment is a priority
before administration?
A. Blood pressure
B. Apical pulse for one full minute
C. Respiratory rate
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: B. Apical pulse for one full minute
Explanation: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate; the apical pulse
must be checked for 60 seconds, and the drug is usually withheld if the heart rate is less
than 60 bpm.
Question 5.
Which of the following describes the ‘therapeutic index’ of a drug?
A. The time it takes for a drug to reach its peak effect
B. The amount of time it takes for half of the drug to be excreted
C. The ratio between a drug’s effective dose and its toxic dose
D. The binding affinity of a drug to a specific receptor
Correct Answer: C. The ratio between a drug’s effective dose and its toxic dose
Explanation: The therapeutic index (TI) measures drug safety. A narrow TI means there is
a small margin between the effective dose and the toxic dose, requiring close monitoring.
Question 6.
During a respiratory assessment, the nurse hears low-pitched, snoring sounds over the
bronchi. These sounds are best described as:
A. Crackles
B. Wheezes
C. Rhonchi
D. Pleural friction rub
Correct Answer: C. Rhonchi
Explanation: Rhonchi are continuous, low-pitched, rattling or snoring sounds often
caused by secretions in the larger airways.
5-6) Questions With Answers and detailed Rationales
Question 1.
When performing a physical assessment of the abdomen, in which order should the nurse
perform the assessment techniques?
A. Inspection, Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation
B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
C. Palpation, Percussion, Auscultation, Inspection
D. Auscultation, Inspection, Palpation, Percussion
Correct Answer: B. Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, Palpation
Explanation: For the abdomen, auscultation is performed before percussion and
palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds through physical manipulation.
Question 2.
A patient is prescribed a medication that has a high ‘first-pass effect.’ Which route of
administration should the nurse expect the provider to avoid if a rapid systemic effect is
needed?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Intravenous
D. Transdermal
Correct Answer: A. Oral
Explanation: The first-pass effect refers to the metabolism of a drug in the liver after oral
absorption, which significantly reduces the concentration of the drug before it reaches
systemic circulation.
Question 3.
The nurse is assessing a patient’s peripheral pulses and notes they are weak and thready.
How should the nurse document this finding on a scale of 0 to 4+?
A. 4+
B. 2+
C. 3+
D. 1+
Correct Answer: D. 1+
Explanation: On a standard 0-4+ scale, 0 is absent, 1+ is weak/thready, 2+ is normal, 3+
is full/increased, and 4+ is bounding.
, Question 4.
A nurse is preparing to administer Digoxin to a patient. Which assessment is a priority
before administration?
A. Blood pressure
B. Apical pulse for one full minute
C. Respiratory rate
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: B. Apical pulse for one full minute
Explanation: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate; the apical pulse
must be checked for 60 seconds, and the drug is usually withheld if the heart rate is less
than 60 bpm.
Question 5.
Which of the following describes the ‘therapeutic index’ of a drug?
A. The time it takes for a drug to reach its peak effect
B. The amount of time it takes for half of the drug to be excreted
C. The ratio between a drug’s effective dose and its toxic dose
D. The binding affinity of a drug to a specific receptor
Correct Answer: C. The ratio between a drug’s effective dose and its toxic dose
Explanation: The therapeutic index (TI) measures drug safety. A narrow TI means there is
a small margin between the effective dose and the toxic dose, requiring close monitoring.
Question 6.
During a respiratory assessment, the nurse hears low-pitched, snoring sounds over the
bronchi. These sounds are best described as:
A. Crackles
B. Wheezes
C. Rhonchi
D. Pleural friction rub
Correct Answer: C. Rhonchi
Explanation: Rhonchi are continuous, low-pitched, rattling or snoring sounds often
caused by secretions in the larger airways.
