BSN Midterm - Pharmacology and Health Assessment
(Week 5/6) 2026 Update UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
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
Answer: A
Rationale: In abdominal assessment, the sequence is Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion,
and then Palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
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
Answer: D
Rationale: Absorption is the process of a drug moving from the administration site into the
systemic circulation.
,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
Answer: C
Rationale: The mitral valve (apex) is best heard at the 5th intercostal space at the left
midclavicular line.
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
Answer: D
Rationale: ACE inhibitors often cause a persistent nonproductive dry cough due to the
accumulation of bradykinin.
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
Answer: B
Rationale: The sclera and the hard palate are the most reliable sites for assessing jaundice,
especially in dark-skinned individuals.
, 6. What is the primary site of drug metabolism in the human body?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Small intestine
Answer: B
Rationale: The liver is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism
(biotransformation) through various enzyme systems.
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
Answer: D
Rationale: Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor) is responsible for pupillary constriction and
most extraocular eye movements.
8. A client has a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which medication would
the nurse expect the healthcare provider to order?
A. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
B. Spironolactone
C. Potassium chloride
D. Lisinopril
Answer: A
Rationale: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) is used to treat hyperkalemia by
exchanging sodium ions for potassium ions in the intestine.
(Week 5/6) 2026 Update UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
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
Answer: A
Rationale: In abdominal assessment, the sequence is Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion,
and then Palpation to avoid altering bowel sounds.
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
Answer: D
Rationale: Absorption is the process of a drug moving from the administration site into the
systemic circulation.
,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
Answer: C
Rationale: The mitral valve (apex) is best heard at the 5th intercostal space at the left
midclavicular line.
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
Answer: D
Rationale: ACE inhibitors often cause a persistent nonproductive dry cough due to the
accumulation of bradykinin.
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
Answer: B
Rationale: The sclera and the hard palate are the most reliable sites for assessing jaundice,
especially in dark-skinned individuals.
, 6. What is the primary site of drug metabolism in the human body?
A. Kidneys
B. Liver
C. Lungs
D. Small intestine
Answer: B
Rationale: The liver is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism
(biotransformation) through various enzyme systems.
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
Answer: D
Rationale: Cranial Nerve III (Oculomotor) is responsible for pupillary constriction and
most extraocular eye movements.
8. A client has a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which medication would
the nurse expect the healthcare provider to order?
A. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
B. Spironolactone
C. Potassium chloride
D. Lisinopril
Answer: A
Rationale: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) is used to treat hyperkalemia by
exchanging sodium ions for potassium ions in the intestine.
